Gambling Laws In Iowa
As far as gambling laws in Iowa go, they are pretty straightforward. The gambling laws in Iowa all allow for in person casino gaming, in person and online horse race betting, and in person and online sports betting. Both casino gaming and horse race betting have been legal for decades already, but sports betting was the most recent form of gambling to go live with the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018 which allowed states to make their own laws and regulations for sports betting. This page is intended for those in the Hawkeye State who wish to gamble safely and legally, and who desire to understand their own state laws in order to do so.
In the state of Iowa’s legislation, illegal gambling or gaming is listed under state statute 725.7.1. If you take the time to look up and read this statute, you will see that this covers quite a bit of things that one cannot do in the Hawkeye State and is followed by a list of penalties ranging from a $100 fine misdemeanor, all the way to a class C felony for a fourth offense which could spell up to a $10,000 fine and/or 10 years imprisonment. Bookmaking is also specifically called out in the documents as strictly forbidden
There is, however, a number of exceptions in Iowa’s gambling laws. The state allows pari-mutuel horse race betting, casino gambling, and sports betting so long as the establishment seeks proper licensure from the state and abides by regulations. This has effectively legalized gambling in Iowa, under the right conditions. There is little to be said on social games in a private residence other than “the gambling is incidental to a bona fide social relationship between all participants, the location is not excluded by law, no participant pays an entrance fee, cover charge or other charge for the privilege of gambling or to gain access to the location, and no one wins or loses more than a total of $50 during a 24-hour period.” so we have to assume that anything more than this would be deemed unlawful.
Despite Iowa’s legislation, there are a vast number of instances where residents have an opportunity to lawfully gamble. Beyond the state’s lottery, licensed pari-mutuel betting facilities, and casinos, there are tribal casinos that operate outside of the state’s regulation and under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Iowa, on the surface appears opposed to gambling, but is in fact quite open and embraces it in all corners of the state.
Land-Based Gambling In Iowa
Iowa is home to over 20 gambling facilities which range from state licensed establishments, to horse and dog tracks, small businesses which host games, live poker rooms and Native American tribal casinos. Residents will not have much trouble in finding a place to make a wager as locales exist from Sioux City to Des Moines all the way to Fort Madison. The largest casino in the state is the Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs which features over 1600 gaming machines and 73 table games. Here, fellow Hawkeyes will find all of the gambling options and perks that can be found under the shining lights of Las Vegas. The Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel is also a major draw with its many poker tables and 4,500 capacity outdoor arena. No matter which destination you choose, locals in Iowa will never be too far away from betting action.
Online Gambling In Iowa
For all of Iowa’s regulation on gambling, there is not one single mention of the internet or gambling online. This spells good news for those who live in the Hawkeye State and who wish to gamble online. Since there are no local laws referencing online bets, locals must look to the federal laws to determine what they can and cannot do. As stated in the Federal Wire Act, facilitating bets for profit is highly illegal yet the act of simply placing a bet is not. It is perfectly legal for any one in Iowa to place a bet so long as it is with a legal venue and not for profit. Due to federal laws, a legal venue does not and cannot exist in U.S. territories under federal jurisdiction, but there a huge quantity of them available located elsewhere.
Many of these online gambling sites have been operating for decades and even cater to American bettors specifically as they are well-aware of our laws. They are safe, they are legal and they have been providing reliable payouts to those in Iowa to rave reviews with a long track record of success. Most of the sites for which we recommend are located throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and even as close as nearby Canada, all of which have their own gaming and banking laws which online gambling sites must abide by and provide steady service to their members. What’s more is that because these sites are outside of both state and federal jurisdictions, folks in Iowa are able to bet on virtually anything such as the very hard to come by, sports betting.
Popular Gambling Options In Iowa:
Online Sportsbooks - Online Casinos - Online Poker
Our top recommendation for residents of Iowa is and always has been the online gambling site found at Bovada. Based in neighboring Canada, Bovada began its existence as the popular American company Bodog before having to move just outside of Montreal after changes in U.S. federal law. They have been hosting the most cutting-edge online gambling interface for decades with the best customer support, banking transactions and wagering options than any other in the industry. The reviews for this legal Iowa gambling site is in the millions for positive experiences as people have big wins everyday which they are able to collect on through a bank wire transfer or a check by courier at their request, delivered directly to their home address.
The online sportsbook at Bovada tops the charts for most living in the United States with an unbelievable sign-up bonus which increases a new member’s initial deposit by 50% worth up to $250 of free bets to use anywhere on the sportsbook whether it be a live game or a futures bet such as the winner of next year’s Super Bowl.
Known as one of the best Iowa online casinos that there is, Ignition certainly lives up to the hype. Any casino game that you’ll find at one of the in person casinos in Iowa can be found at Ignition. That goes for all of the table games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and Super 6. They have plenty of slot games, bingo, and keno games as well.
| Best Overall Betting Sites | Sports? | Casino? | Poker? | Horses? | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
| Ignition | NO! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
| BetOnline | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
| SportsBetting | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
The legal gambling age in the state of Iowa is 21 for all land based betting facilities within the state, however any adult resident aged 18 or over is free to bet online with any of our recommended legal online gambling sites for Iowa. If you fail to meet the legal age to gamble, users face consequences such as being banned from an establishment, or in the world of online gambling, account termination and forfeiture of funds. In either scenario, bad things are going to happen so just be patient.
Best For All Gaming Types
