Iowa Sports Betting Guide 2025

Is sports betting legal in Iowa

Yes. Online and retail sports betting are fully legal in Iowa. Lawmakers approved sports wagering in 2019, and the first Iowa online sportsbooks and retail books launched on August 15 of that year. Licensed operators are overseen by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, which also regulates casinos, racing and other forms of gambling in the state.

Both mobile and in person wagering are allowed. You can bet through approved sports betting apps anywhere within state lines, or at licensed retail sportsbooks located at partner casinos. You do not have to be an Iowa resident, but you must be physically inside Iowa when placing bets.

Best legal Iowa online sportsbooks

Iowa has a robust roster of licensed online sportsbooks. The exact lineup changes over time, but major national brands such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook and ESPN BET are active in the state alongside regional operators that partner with local casinos.

We recommend opening accounts at several books to compare odds, take advantage of promos, and find the interface that fits you best.

	Up to $1,300 New User Bonus	Deep market coverage and strong same game parlay tools. We love the the player props, live betting, golf and NFL markets.	4.9 / 5 ★★★★☆ Read review	Join
	Bet $1, Double Your Winnings On Next 20 Wagers	Integrated Caesars Rewards for hotel and dining value. Rewards program, promos tied to local teams and events.	4.8 / 5 ★★★★☆ Read review	Join
	Bet $5 Get $150 In Bonus Bets	Clean app experience and competitive odds on many sides and totals. Does a great job with same game parlays, live betting, and user friendly interface.	4.8 / 5 ★★★★☆ Read review	Join
	Up to $1,500 In Bonus Bets	Busy but powerful app with lots of live markets. Live betting, one game parlays, regular boosts and offers.	4.7 / 5 ★★★★☆ Read review	Join
	Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose	Deep international markets and sharp pricing on soccer and niche sports. Great for In play betting, soccer and tennis, alternate lines.	4.5 / 5 ★★★★☆	Join
	Up to $2,000 in No Sweat Bets FanCash	Fresh interfaces and aggressive promos as they build market. We like their promotions, live betting, newer features.	4.5 / 5 ★★★★☆	Join

Availability of specific sportsbooks can change over time as licenses are reassigned or operators enter and leave the market. Always confirm that an app is licensed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission before depositing.

Key Iowa sports betting rules

Iowa’s sports betting law created a modern, open market that still includes some important boundaries for players to know about. Understanding these rules will help you stay on the right side of state law and sportsbook house rules.

Who can bet in Iowa

• You must be at least 21 years old
• You must be physically located inside Iowa when placing a wager
• You must pass identity verification when you create an account
• You must use your own account; betting for others is not allowed

What you can bet on

• Professional sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS and more
• College sports, including Iowa based schools and out of state teams
• International leagues, golf, tennis, motorsports and other approved events
• Futures markets on championships, awards and season long outcomes

What you cannot bet on

• Player props on individual athletes from Iowa based college teams
• Certain in game college prop markets restricted by the IRGC
• Unapproved events that fall outside the Commission’s wagering catalog
• Bets with unlicensed offshore sites that do not hold an Iowa license

College sports betting in Iowa

Iowa is relatively friendly to college sports bettors, with full access to game level markets on both in state and out of state teams. The main restrictions are focused on protecting student athletes from pressure around individual stat lines.

Allowed on college sports

• Moneylines, spreads and totals on college football and basketball games
• Futures on conference titles and national championships
• Certain props and live markets on out of state college teams, where approved

Not allowed on college sports

• Player props on individual athletes from Iowa based college teams
• In game or pregame props that directly target in state college player stats
• Any college markets that the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission specifically disallows

Sportsbooks sometimes remove specific college markets that are allowed on paper if they believe those markets present integrity or compliance risk. Always rely on the menu shown inside your Iowa sportsbook app; if a bet type is missing, it may be restricted by law or by the operator’s internal rules.

Iowa sports betting taxes

There are two sides to sports betting taxes in Iowa. One set of rules applies to operators, and another applies to individual bettors. Understanding both can help you make more informed decisions about where and how you bet.

Taxes on Iowa sportsbooks

• Sportsbook revenue is taxed at 6.75 percent by the state
• This tax is assessed on adjusted gross sports wagering receipts
• Tax revenue helps fund state programs, including problem gambling services
• These taxes are paid by the operator, not directly by the player

Taxes on bettors and gambling winnings

• Sports betting winnings are taxable income at the federal level
• Iowa also treats gambling winnings as taxable income for state tax purposes
• Large wins may trigger automatic reporting and withholding and a W-2G form from the sportsbook
• You are responsible for keeping records and reporting net winnings when you file

This is general tax information and not personal tax advice. Talk to a tax professional about how sports betting winnings fit into your federal and Iowa state return, especially if you bet in significant amounts or place bets in multiple states.

Retail sportsbooks in Iowa

Iowa’s law ties online sportsbooks to licensed casinos, many of which operate retail sportsbooks on site. These retail locations give you a more social, in person option that connects to the same accounts and apps you use at home.

What to expect at Iowa retail sportsbooks

• Dedicated sports lounges with large screens showing multiple games
• Staffed betting windows and self service kiosks for placing wagers
• Ability to deposit or withdraw cash tied to your online sportsbook account at some locations
• Promos and experiences built around major events such as football and basketball weekends

Retail locations and casino partnerships can change over time as licenses move and operators update deals. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission maintains the official list of approved operators and retail locations.

How to start betting in Iowa

Getting started with legal sports betting in Iowa is simple. You can complete the entire process from your phone in a few minutes as long as you are physically inside the state.

1. Choose one or more licensed Iowa sportsbook apps you want to try.
2. Download each app or visit the official website and select Iowa as your state.
3. Create an account with your name, address, date of birth and last four digits of your Social Security number.
4. Enable location services so the app can verify you are inside Iowa state lines.
5. Make a first deposit using a supported payment method such as online banking, card or wallet.
6. Review any welcome offer terms to be sure your first bet or deposit qualifies.
7. Place your first wager and track odds changes from your phone or desktop.

Smart tips for Iowa sports bettors

A legal, competitive market is great for bettors, but it is still easy to make emotional or rushed decisions. A few simple habits can help you get more out of Iowa’s sportsbooks without letting betting take over your life.

If betting stops being fun or you feel out of control, reach out to the problem gambling resources listed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission or call 1-800-BETS-OFF. Help is available and confidential.

Iowa sports betting FAQ