Iowa Legal Online Gambling 2022

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Iowa allows domestic online sports betting but not online casinos or poker. For the full gamut of legal online gambling, IA residents can use safe international betting sites. 

Iowa's legal online gambling entertainment options are limited to domestic online sports betting. Online casinos and poker rooms, however, are available only through international betting sites operating outside of US jurisdiction. These are legal to use for all IA residents aged 18 and up.

To experience the full range of gambling markets anytime, anyplace, we recommend utilizing these legal offshore online betting options. This page discusses the local IA gambling options available, the state's viewpoint on online gambling, federal governance of the pastime, and the legitimate sites where you can play every market legally and safely.

IOWA GAMBLING LAWS

Domestic Iowa gambling can be enjoyed via 18 commercial casinos, four tribal casinos, one riverboat casino, poker rooms, a state lottery, horse betting venues, and charitable gambling houses. Iowa does not permit online gambling destinations to exist and operate within its borders (except for sports betting sites), since the state has yet to pass any laws authorizing domestic iGaming or online poker operations.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Iowa?

Yes! While domestic online gambling options are currently limited to mobile sportsbooks operating in Iowa, the state has no laws barring online casino gambling, online poker action, online sports betting, or online horse racing betting that can be accessed via legitimate international sites like those listed here. Similarly, there are no federal laws preventing site access and real-money online play for 18 and up IA residents.

IA State Facts & Quick Jump Menu

State FactsQuick Jump
State Motto: Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.Top Rated Site
State Population: 3.107 MillionIowa Casinos
Land Casinos: 23Iowa Sportsbooks
Land Poker Rooms: 5Iowa Poker
Legal Gambling Age: 18Frequently Asked Questions
Projected Year For Legalization: 2026Iowa Gambling News

Top Gambling Site For Iowa Players

Bovada Sportsbook, Poker Room, & Casino
#1 Rated Legal Online Gambling Site For USA Players

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Bovada is the most popular online gambling site for all US players, including those in the Hawkeye State. Bovada has been operating since 2011 and has an excellent history and reputation in the industry.

Bovada is a one-stop shop for all your online gaming needs, including sports betting, online casino gambling, international horse racing betting, cash table and tournament poker, and much more.

Bovada Bonuses: Bovada has excellent bonus offers available for new depositors. Casino players can claim up to $3,000 in free bonus money, sports bettors and horseplayers can claim a 50% bonus worth up to $250, and poker players can redeem $500 in free-plays with no rollover. Bonuses and rewards are even bigger with Bovada's Premium Bitcoin-Exclusive Membership tier!

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Site Rating

Bovada $1000
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Compability

Pros
  • Attractive Welcome Bonus

  • Bet all markets from just one account

  • Bovada mobile betting app available

  • Prop Builder & Live in-play sports wagering

  • Hundreds of casino games available

  • Around the clock poker tournaments

  • Operating 100% legally within Costa Rica jurisdiction

  • Accepts credit cards, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum

  • P2P payments via Bovada Vouchers + Bovada MatchPay

Cons
  • Fewer crypto options than many sites

  • Excluded States: NV, NJ, DE, MD

Are Casinos Legal in Iowa?

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Iowa permits retail casino gambling but restricts access to players aged 21 and up. Some of the most popular of Iowa's two dozen or so casino destinations include the following:

  • Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
  • Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, and Hotel
  • Lakeside Hotel Casino
  • Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque
  • Harrah's Council Bluffs

Since these venues only allow players who are 21 to gamble, we recommend interested IA players who are 18-20 years of age (and older!) to access online real-money casino games through legitimate offshore online casinos that hold all required credentials to operate within their governing jurisdiction, which remain completely legal to use.

Is Online Casino Gambling Legal In Iowa?

There is no domestic online casino gambling in Iowa, and lawmakers don't seem very interested in establishing laws to allow local iGaming anytime soon.

That said, there are no laws barring IA residents from participating in legally sanctioned online casino gambling with overseas operators. Legitimate international online casinos are no illegal in the eyes of the state and the US federal government, and you only have to be 18 or older to sign up and play for real money.

Legal Iowa Online Casinos

The US legal online casinos listed below hold legitimate credentials for operating within the Internet gambling industry and have earned top marks for reliability and legitimacy. They also feature advanced security platforms (SSL, TLS) and deliver the highest quality casino gambling experiences to IA players aged 18 and over.

Reputable Online Casinos
That Accept Iowa Players

SiteReviewBonus OfferUSAVisit
Bovada Sportsbook And CasinoRead Review100% Max $3,000Play now
Slots.lv LogoRead Review200% Max $1,000Play now
Cafe Casino LogoRead Review500% Max $5,000Play now
Ignition LogoRead Review100% Max $3,000Play now
Casino Max logoRead Review325% Max $9,750Play now
Cherry Jackpot logoRead Review400% Max $8,000Play now
Roaring 21 logoRead Review200% Max $10,000Play now

Is Sports Betting Legal In Iowa?Sports Icon

Yes! Iowa residents now have domestic sports betting options at their fingertips. In August 2019, Iowa officially launched retail and online sports betting within state lines. IA was the first state to launch both markets on the same day, with sportsbooks going live on August 15, 2019.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Iowa?

It sure is. Online sports betting can be accessed via a number of domestic sportsbooks or offshore sportsbooks. State-regulated sports betting sites require bettors to be at least 21 years of age, while offshore sportsbooks accept registrations at just 18 years old.

Additionally, international sports betting sites tend to have much better odds, particularly on collegiate games featuring popular Iowa teams. If you want the most bang for your buck, offshore is the best way to wager.

Legal Iowa Online Sports Betting

The USA-friendly online sportsbooks featured below are all legally permitted to offer betting services to IA players aged 18+. These brands have been vetted by our team of analysts for legality, security, reliability, competitive odds, and legitimate licensing. You can bet on sports at any of these destinations without violating any state or federal laws, and timely payouts are always guaranteed.

Best Iowa Online Sportsbooks

SiteReviewBonus OfferUSAVisit
Bovada Sportsbook And CasinoRead Review50% Max $1,000Play now
Betonline LogoRead Review50% Max $1,000Play now
BetUS BrandRead Review100% Max $2,500Play now
Sportsbetting LogoRead Review50% Max $1,000Play now
Bookmaker LogoRead Review20% Max $500Play now
mybookie logoRead Review50% Max $1,000Play now
Xbet Sportsbook logoRead Review50% Max $500Play now

Is Poker Legal in Iowa?

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Poker gambling in Iowa is permitted within state-licensed casino venues with commercial or Class III tribal gaming permissions. Players must be at least 21 years old to play poker within these venues.

Players from Iowa interested in poker gambling but who are between the ages of 18 and 20 – or simply want the convenience of online poker at any age – can legally play online via any of the most reputable, legal international poker sites listed here.

Is Online Poker Gambling Legal In Iowa?

Not domestically. While state-licensed online poker gambling is not yet authorized, there has been historic interest in expanding local gaming to include domestic online poker. It's likely that state-regulated online poker would still be limited to players who are 21 and over once offered, however.

Nonetheless, we recommend using legitimate online Iowa poker rooms legally operating internationally, since neither the state nor the federal government bars these highly regarded service providers from players aged 18 and up.

Legal Iowa Online Poker

The following list features online poker sites that are legitimately regulated in international jurisdictions and are legal for US and IA players. We only recommend brands that hold the highest ratings for security, reliability, licensing, longevity, fairness, software quality, and robust online poker bonus offers. Online poker sites that fail to meet our high standards are not included in this guide.

Top Rated Online Poker Sites
Open To Iowa Players

SiteReviewBonus OfferUSAVisit
Bovada Sportsbook And CasinoRead Review100% Max $500Play now
Ignition LogoRead Review150% Max $1,500Play now
Betonline LogoRead Review100% Max $1,000Play now
Sportsbetting LogoRead Review100% Max $1,000Play now

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