Iowa’s gaming industry experienced a solid uptick in performance last month, with total casino revenues reaching $151.2 million, an increase of 4.9% compared to the same period the previous year, according to data released by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
Among the state’s 19 licensed casinos, 14 reported year-over-year growth, while five saw declines. Leading the pack was Prairie Meadows, which generated $21.1 million in revenue, marking a 6.2% increase from its previous $19.8 million.
Several other casinos posted double-digit revenue figures, including:
- Horseshoe Council Bluffs: $15.3 million (down 1%)
- Ameristar II: $14.1 million (down 4.4%)
- Riverside Casino: $11.1 million (down 1.7%)
- Diamond Jo Worth: $10.5 million (up 10.1%)
- Rhythm City: $10.3 million (up 5.5%)
The most significant gain was recorded by Isle Casino Waterloo, which surged 31.9% from $7.1 million to $9.4 million. In contrast, Wild Rose Jefferson experienced the steepest decline, with revenue falling 4.9% to $2.9 million.
Slot machines continued to dominate the market, generating $136.7 million in August, up 4.1% from the previous year’s $131.2 million. Table games also saw a healthy boost, climbing 12.1% to $14.5 million from $13 million.
Online Gambling In Iowa
The state of Iowa does not authorize its domestic casinos to operate online. However, online sports wagering was legalized in May of 2019. Today, 18 authorized e-sportsbook platforms are operating under a state license.
Online gambling in Iowa also includes casinos, poker, and licensed bingo sites; however, those platforms all operate from outside of state lines. While the state recommends that Iowans avoid offshore sites, mainly to protect revenue, licensed sites have been accepting wagers over the internet for years.
Iowa Gambling Laws Concerning Online Casino Gambling
Current federal gambling laws leave online wagering decisions to the discretion of the state. The state of Iowa has passed several laws aimed at operators, forbidding them from accepting wagers online. Offshore casino sites are typically licensed outside of the US and adhere to the gambling laws of their country of origin.
State regulations do permit the operation of social casinos, which mimic the experience of traditional real-money gambling establishments but differ in one key aspect: players do not wager or win actual currency. Instead, these platforms use virtual tokens or sweepstakes-style credits that can be earned through gameplay or promotional offers. While users may be eligible to redeem certain prizes or sweepstakes winnings, these rewards are typically non-monetary or subject to specific redemption rules.