Since launching the industry in August 2019, Iowa sports betting has taken off, averaging more than $2 billion in annual betting handle. This page provides an overview of IA sportsbooks while acting as a guide to the state’s sports gambling landscape.
The Iowa sports betting landscape is surprisingly large relative to the state’s population. With 20 brick-and-mortar facilities and 12 online operators to choose from, Iowa gamblers have wagered more than $10 billion in lifetime handle.
On this page, we’ve provided an overview of the online and retail Iowa sports betting options, along with choosing our favorite five operators. We will also overview the basics of sports gambling in Iowa, highlight a history of important betting moments in the state, and project the future of the industry in IA.
Bettor In Green has selected the following five operators as the best in the state. These options were chosen for their standout performances through all channels (retail, online, mobile), bonus frequency and generosity, customer service experience, betting market availability, and much more.
DraftKings had a footprint in Iowa before the state launched its sports betting industry, rising to prominence in the daily fantasy sports (DFS) business. Once the Supreme Court reversed its PASPA decision, DK launched its sports betting vertical almost immediately, using the DFS popularity as a springboard for gambling registrations.
Today, DraftKings is the largest sportsbook in Iowa by lifetime handle. Users will enjoy the broad selection of in-play betting markets, as well as the high-quality mobile app and retail locations (at the Wild Rose Casinos in Clinton, Emmetsburg, and Jefferson)
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: DraftKings Sportsbook IA’s intense coverage of betting markets and frequent use of bonuses (odds boosts and bonus bets) have helped it maintain a reputation as the top sports betting site in Iowa. This is a solid option for beginning bettors and seasoned vets alike.
Since launching at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh in March 2020, BetRivers Sportsbook has provided a fun and rewarding gambling experience for sports bettors. It was slightly late to the Iowa launch party, debuting on January 1, 2021, but has since launched three retail facilities in the state.
The app and website underwent major changes in 2024 to bring a more modern aesthetic to the platforms while also fixing other bugs and speeding up the load times. The iRush rewards program also continues to be a major asset.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: We found BetRivers to be an excellent option for odds shopping and we recommend it for odds shopping, especially outside of the “Big Four” sports leagues. The iRush Rewards program is a must for regular users.
Caesars has the strongest retail presence in Iowa (accounting for 25% of all sports betting locations) while also offering one of the best rewards programs in the industry. In addition to betting bonuses, Caesars Rewards can include discounted casino stays, entertainment tickets, dining and shopping discounts, and more!
Additionally, Caesars offers live-streaming of select NFL games through the website and mobile app while providing streams of many other top sporting events. It also frequently boasts the highest-reaching welcome bonuses in terms of credits issues (frequently meeting or exceeding $1,250 in credits)
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: In general, we recommend Caesars Sportsbook IA for high-stakes gamblers more than for casual bettors, though there are plenty of favorable opportunities for players of all bankrolls and skill levels
BetMGM Sportsbook Iowa shines in futures betting markets, often posting odds and lines well ahead of other Iowa operators. If you’re picking up on the theme of lucrative rewards programs, BetMGM may take the cake there as well.
Money management is a breeze, as BetMGM offers many fast and reliable banking methods. Of the five sportsbooks in this section, it is also the frontrunner in soccer betting markets.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: BetMGM is the only one of the five bookies in this section that does not have a retail presence in Iowa. However, we believe the strong online and mobile performances from the bookie will continue to be a benefit to Iowa gamblers.
Ending our top five Iowa Sportsbooks section is another DFS Powerhouse-turned-Leading-Sportsbook. FanDuel is the closest financial competitor to DraftKings in Iowa, though in some aspects, it provides superior market coverage and user benefit.
For example, FanDuel Sportsbook Iowa is the go-to option for players who enjoy creating same game parlays, with a market selection that far surpasses other bookmakers. The user-friendly app is great for beginners, and the payout times are among the fastest in the state.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: We’ve had great experiences when working with FanDuel’s customer service team, both while testing for these reviews and in our own personal use of the platform. We can confidently recommend FanDuel for any Iowa sports bettor.
While we highly recommend the above five sportsbooks as go-to options, there are seven other sportsbooks in Iowa to consider, perhaps if you find a favorable difference in the posted odds from the bookies above. We listed these seven in alphabetical order, not in any preference order.
In the summer of 2023, Bally Bet temporarily shut down its sportsbook operations across the country to overhaul its app and website. While the changes since then are an improvement, it still feels lacking compared to other Iowa operators.
Additionally, Bally aimed to use its branding of regional sports networks (RSNs) to drive sportsbook signups, but financial troubles have led FanDuel to take over the branding. We hope to see Bally Bet succeed, but there are several significant areas of concern.
Iowa sports bettors will often find bet365 Sportsbook IA offering the lowest requirements for eligible wagers on welcome bonuses, sometimes reaching as low as $1 to qualify for hundreds in bonus bets. However, we would be remiss not to mention the bookmaker consistently performing better on Apple devices and on the website than for Android users.
Circa Sportsbook is a smaller operation than many of the others in Iowa, with a national reach that only includes four other states (Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, and Nevada). Instead of offering promotions and loyalty programs, Circa opts to offer odds that are “juiced” in the bettor’s favor as well as an unparalleled high-limit betting experience.
ClutchBet is also limited in its national reach, only serving gamblers in Iowa, Louisiana, and Colorado. The ClutchCash product allows users to create custom head-to-head player prop bets for NBA and NFL matchups, adding a unique twist to the platform.
ESPN Bet evolved out of Barstool Sportsbook as the brand for PENN Entertainment’s sports betting platform. The app and website feature content from ESPN’s on-air personalities, and both mobile options integrate well with ESPN’s existing products, including the fantasy apps and ESPN+.
Fanatics Sportsbook IA replaced PointsBet’s product when the merchandising giant purchased the latter’s U.S. gambling licenses in June 2023. It awards bettors FanCash for every wager made; FanCash can then be used for platform bonuses or for memorabilia and apparel at Fanatics-branded outlets.
Finally, Q Sportsbook is exclusive to Iowa and is not planning to expand to other states, making it stand out as a truly local option. It only accepts wagers in person or through the mobile app (no website), and users must register at the Q Casino in Dubuque before using the app.
The exact steps for placing a sports bet in Iowa may have subtle differences depending on which sportsbook you’re using, but the overall process will be largely the same. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Keep tabs on these recent changes in Iowa’s sports betting world:
Sports betting has been legal in Iowa since 2019, when Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate Bill 617 into law. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission oversees the state’s industry and regulates gambling activities.
Bettors must be at least 21 years old to participate in sports gambling.
Initially, bettors needed to register in person for a sports betting account. However, this law changed in January 2021 to allow online registration (as in-person registration wasn’t feasible during the COVID-19 pandemic).
Additionally, wagering on college sports is allowed in Iowa, including for in-state schools. However, you will not be able to bet on player props.
Here are a few of the important moments and key dates in the history of sports betting in Iowa:
Below is a list of all online sportsbooks in Iowa.
These sportsbooks previously had an Iowa operation but have since rebranded or left the state:
Here is a list of all retail sportsbooks in Iowa:
As you prepare to register for Iowa sportsbooks, it’s important to know the differences between various promotions and bonuses. Here are a few of the most common IA sportsbook promos ones to know:
Sports betting apps are the dominant means of gambling access for Iowa bettors, mirroring the national trend. According to the Des Moines Register, in 2021, online gambling generated nearly 8.5 times as much revenue in Iowa as brick-and-mortar betting facilities.
As a result, it is imperative to find a reliable betting app while gambling in Iowa. In addition to strong geolocation technology performance, the app should offer fair odds, generous bonuses, and a user-friendly interface.
Here are the app store ratings from Iowa sports betting apps. Ratings are accurate as of March 2025.
| Sportsbook | Apple App Store Rating | Google Play Store Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bally Bet Sportsbook | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
| bet365 Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.3/5 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Circa Sportsbook | 2.5/5 | N/A** |
| ClutchBet Sportsbook | 3.3/5 | 3.3/5 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.3/5 |
| ESPN Bet Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Q Sportsbook | 4.5/5 | N/A++ |
** = Circa Sportsbook does not have an Iowa-specific app listed in the Google Play Store. It is only available for download from the Circa Sportsbook website. Circa Sportsbook app for Illinois rates 2.7/5, along with 2.3/5 in Kentucky and 2.4/5 in Colorado.
++ = Q Sportsbook has not received enough reviews to receive a rating in the Google Play Store. Once a score is posted, we will update the ratings of all apps on this page.
Sports betting winnings in Iowa are considered a form of income and are therefore required to be reported on your taxes. In Iowa, the tax rate on gambling winnings is 5%; this is in addition to the 24% rate on federal returns.
There have been reports that Iowa is looking into introducing a flat 3.90% rate starting in 2026. However, this has not yet been confirmed.
Additionally, you can deduct your gambling losses on your Iowa taxes, but only if you are itemizing your returns. You won’t be able to claim that benefit if you are taking the standard deduction.
Responsible gambling is a burden that falls on Iowa bettors and gambling operators alike. Betting companies like casinos, sportsbooks, and their affiliates should actively promote fair play and account limits; individuals should familiarize themselves with the warning signs of gambling addiction and problematic betting behaviors.
Iowa also offers a gambling self-exclusion program, allowing bettors to voluntarily opt-out of casino gaming and sports betting. The program is intense but effective, with harsh penalties for those who enter or attempt to enter betting facilities or register who use/attempt to use an online sports betting site or mobile app.
Bettor In Green recommends the following responsible gambling resources for Iowa bettors and their loved ones.
While the trend of sportsbooks leaving Iowa may raise some eyebrows, we believe this is a sign of the market stabilizing to avoid an oversaturation of betting options. We’ve seen similar happenings in other states, and it tends to result in similar handle numbers (even growth in some cases) without sacrificing sportsbook quality or integrity.
One of the potential next steps would be using the success of sports betting to launch an online casino gambling industry in Iowa. However, we feel that is highly unlikely at this time, as online casino gambling is still very restricted in the United States.
Iowa’s sports betting landscape is thriving, and after 14% market growth from 2023 to 2024, we expect to see similarly strong handle numbers in 2025. The numbers are even more impressive considering Iowa is not home to a franchise in any of the “Big Four” sports leagues.
Now that you’ve learned a bit more about the available options, we hope you’ll check out our sportsbook review pages. These guides will help you get a better sense of what each betting site has to offer and will help you find which ones are the best fit for you.
Good luck, have fun, and always gamble responsibly!!
Yes, Q Sportsbook is the only sports betting app specific to Iowa. Users will need to register their account at the Q Casino in Dubuque, but once they do, they can bet through the app from anywhere in the state.
Iowa ensures fair play in sports betting by issuing licenses to gambling operators. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission oversees sports betting activity in the state and enforces compliance measures when necessary. You should avoid any sportsbook that does not have an IRGC license.
Sports betting has made a significant impact on Iowa’s sports culture, with more than $10 billion wagered as of November 2024. The most significant impact is the ability to wager on in-state college sports, especially for the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones.
Iowa sportsbooks protect your personal and financial information by using firewalls, encryption technology, and other cybersecurity measures while accepting and storing your data. Your name and profile are not included in publicly available means, and compliance with IRGC standards should help you feel confident that your info is safe at all times.
AS SEEN ON:
Bettor In Green is your go-to platform for sports betting and daily fantasy sports, designed to help you dominate player props.
Copyright: © 2026 Made with 💚 By The Bettor In Green team. All Rights Reserved.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
