The Iowa online sports betting scene is thriving after sportsbooks became legal in 2019. The state was quick to react when the US Supreme Court retracted the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018. As a result, the Hawkeye State has embraced sports betting, and it is now big business in the state.
Plenty of online sportsbook operators has jumped at the opportunity to launch in Iowa. Since 2019, the sports betting handle in Iowa has exceeded many expectations, and bettors have a host of high-quality sports betting options.
Sports Betting in Iowa
Iowa was keen to drive tax revenues into its coffers from sports betting after the PASPA withdrawal. The state could not pass new sports betting legislation before the 2018 government session ended. But it did not waste time in 2019. Sports betting laws passed in May, and the first sports bet was taken in Iowa legally on August 15th.
From 2019, bettors had to register for their sportsbook accounts in-person at a state casino. However, the law changed in January 2021, and bettors can now sign up and wager remotely from mobile devices and desktops.
This change made sports betting in Iowa more accessible. Players no longer had to travel hundreds of miles to get a sportsbook account.
Online Sports Betting
As with most of the states that have passed legislation, initial licenses were awarded to existing land-based gaming facilities. Most of these locations have partnered with a sports betting vendor. The likes of Draftkings, Fanduel, and Caesar’s were the early providers of Iowa online betting sites.
Now, there are 13 legal Iowa online sports betting sites in the state. While the likes of FanDuel and Caesar’s are still operating, up-and-coming bookmakers have entered the Iowa sports betting arena. Operators like theScore Bet and Q Casino sportsbook ensure that Iowa bettors have plenty of choices available.
With a wide selection of sportsbooks, Iowa players benefit from the improving competition of online sports betting sites. As more competition enters the state, players can gain more value, better odds, and offers.
Horse Betting in Iowa
There is only one race track in Iowa, but that doesn’t mean the state isn’t interested in the sport. Prairie Meadows has been offering races since the late 1980s. But, given that the state only has a few million residents and that population is spread around a large geographic area, the attendance at the raceway was pretty poor.
Adding more incentives and products at the track has increased attendance. Also, being able to run simulcast races from around the United States breathed new life into the business. Pari-mutuel betting is legal in the state and shows no signs of going anywhere at this stage.
Online Horse Betting
Despite running races and accepting bets at their facility, Prairie Meadows cannot offer online wagering to its players. As a result, bookmakers like TwinSpires, owned by Churchill Downs, have filled this space.
TwinSpires is the flagship horse betting provider in the US. Although, the company doesn’t have a land-based presence or a license from the state of Iowa. But it still accepts deposits and wagers from Hawkeye state residents.
Some other Iowa online sports betting sites offer horse racing wagers. However, the reach to international and US markets is dominated by TwinSpires currently. As new sports betting sites launch in the future, more options may become available.
Casino Gambling in Iowa
Like many states in the Midwest, casino gambling started in Iowa on riverboat casinos. The first riverboat casino launched legally in 1991. Since then, huge growth in the market has taken place.
What started as a handful of these riverboat casinos has morphed into a full land-based industry. Several venues across the state now offer classic table games and slots. Currently, 18 land-based casinos are operating in the Hawkeye State. Almost all of these venues have their own sportsbook, or they are partnered with an online sports betting provider.
In fact, the introduction of casino-style games saved the Prairie Meadows track. The venues were given a chance to offer slots first, followed by a full set of table games. This move put the track on an equal footing with the other casinos in the state.
Iowa is one of a handful of states that offer casinos operated by tribal communities, as well as those run by casino franchises. This allows the tribes to be able to generate some much-needed revenue while not being shut out by the state on gaming opportunities. The rise of legalized, online sports betting has also opened inroads for new revenue.
Online Casinos in Iowa
Even though Iowa online sports betting sites are flourishing, there is no law allowing regulated online casino games. Online games like poker, blackjack, and slot machines for real money are prohibited in Iowa.
For the time being, players can freely sign up and wager at social casinos. Bettors can play casino games but without the option of wagering or depositing funds to their accounts.
But, given the state’s rich history of gaming and a liberal outlook on legalized gambling, regulated online casino games may come to the state soon.
Lottery in Iowa
Iowa has had a vibrant lottery scene ever since the Lottery was established in 1985. The lottery is responsible for contributing to several social causes in the state. As a result, growing the revenues is a priority from the governor’s office.
The state residents can participate in pooled games like Powerball and Mega Millions. These lottery games generate jackpots into the billions and are popular across the country. Also, Iowa residents have the additional option of playing any of the hundreds of scratch tickets available at retailers across the state.