Online Sports Betting in Iowa

Iowa officially legalized sports betting in May 2019, and the state’s first online sportsbooks went live in August 2019. Iowa initially required bettors to register in person but now allows individuals to fully register online.

As the state’s sports betting industry continues to grow, more sportsbooks are planning to launch in Iowa in the near future.

Here’s everything you need to know about online sports betting in Iowa, including who can bet, where you can bet, and more.

Details About Sports Betting in Iowa

• Iowa legalized online sports betting in May 2019, and the first legal online sportsbooks launched in August that same year.
• Since the launch of legal online sports betting, the market has grown quickly and there are now 18 online sportsbooks available in the state.
• Several sportsbooks are planning to launch in Iowa in the near future, including SBK Sportsbook, MaximBet, WynnBET, and ClutchBet.
• The Iowa House recently passed HF 2497, which would legalize esports betting in the state.
• Each casino in Iowa is allowed three online skins, which means there can be a maximum of 57 online sportsbooks in the state.
• When online sports betting first launched, residents were required to register in person. However, this requirement expired in 2021, and bettors can now register for sportsbooks online.

Recent Sports Betting News in Iowa

Iowa’s sports betting market is seeing consistent growth in revenue and monthly handles. As the sports betting industry continues to expand, more sportsbooks are planning to launch in the state in the near future. Here are some of the most recent developments in the Iowa sports betting industry:

• May 19, 2022: SBK Sportsbook announces it will launch in Iowa in 2022. This comes after Smarkets signed a market access agreement with Affinity Interactive.
• May 12, 2022: Iowa sportsbooks report about $177 million in bets during April, marking a 49.9% increase from April 2021. This handle resulted in $12.4 million in revenue and nearly $840,000 in taxes.
• April 29, 2022: BlueBet announces it plans to launch ClutchBet — its new U.S. sportsbook — in Iowa in the near future.
• April 20, 2022: After announcing in February it plans to launch in Iowa, MaximBet becomes the first sportsbook in the state to partner with an active MLB player (Charlie Blackmon).
• April 11, 2022: Iowa sportsbooks report a $233.5 million handle for March. This handle is up 44.7% compared to March 2021.
• March 28, 2022: After DraftKings submitted a request earlier in March, Iowa regulators now allow sportsbooks to accept bets on Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) events.
• March 2, 2022: The Iowa House passes HF 2497, which would legalize esports betting, by a vote of 71-28.
• Feb. 11, 2022: Iowa sportsbooks report taking in $303.3 million in bets during January, setting a new record handle.
• Feb. 4, 2022: After launching in New York, WynnBET announces it also plans to launch its online sportsbook in Iowa in the near future.

Online Sports Betting Apps Available in Iowa

There are currently 18 online sports betting apps live in Iowa, and several more are expected to launch in the near future. Iowa gambling laws allow for a total of 57 online sportsbooks in the state. Here’s an overview of all the online sportsbooks available in Iowa:

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Legal in Iowa?

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) apps are a popular alternative to sports betting apps as they allow users to create fictional teams and compete with other users to win cash and other prizes in daily contests. Some states ban these apps under their gambling laws, while others — including states where sports betting is illegal — have legalized them because they consider DFS contests to be games of skill.

DFS apps were prohibited in Iowa for several years, but they were finally legalized in 2019 alongside online sports betting. Residents can now register with popular platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel to participate in DFS contests.

How to Place Responsible Sports Bets in Iowa

Anyone who is 21 or older and currently located in Iowa can bet on sports by registering with any of the licensed sports betting apps available in the state. After registering and verifying your identity and location, you can deposit funds to start betting on sports immediately.

Bettors should always follow responsible gambling practices to avoid significant financial losses and reduce their chances of developing a problematic gambling habit.

Responsible sports betting practices include:

• Only using legal, licensed, and regulated sports betting apps to avoid scams, fraud, and other issues
• Sticking to a strict gambling budget to minimize losses
• Taking breaks from gambling or quitting gambling altogether if it’s impacting your personal or professional life
• Never gambling under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Seeking help if you believe you may be addicted to gambling

Gambling addiction is a serious issue that can impact your financial health, personal relationships, career, and mental well-being. If you think you may be addicted to gambling, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 for assistance.

Iowa Sports Betting FAQs

Editor’s Note: Information accurate as of May 2022.