Iowa Online Sports Betting Guide – Compare the Best Iowa Sportsbooks

Sports betting has been legal in Iowa since 2019, and as a result, there are a couple of state-regulated online sportsbooks that you can sign up and bet on in the state. However, we have come to find that these sites are fairly limited in what they can offer you, a problem that the offshore sites in our guide do not have. Check out the rest of this Iowa sports betting guide to see why offshore sites make for better sports gambling sites and also to learn more about some of the best sportsbooks in Iowa.

List of the Best Sports Betting Sites in Iowa

Iowa Sportsbooks Reviewed

1. BetOnline – Our Number 1 Pick for Iowa Sports Betting

• Pay-out Time: Customers receive payouts in 48 hours
• Established: 2007
• License: The Republic of Panama.
• Headquarters: Panama City
• Restricted States: New Jersey

Our Verdict (Rating 9.6/10)

Here we kick things off with BetOnline, an Iowa sports betting site that has reached the top of our list. We signed up to the site and saw that we could claim a welcome bonus for sports betting up to $1,000. Once we got past that, we saw that we could claim promos like the prop build promo, live betting promo, and plenty of specific weekly promos for certain sporting events.

Once we were done checking out the promos, it was time for us to have a closer look at the sportsbook. We made our way over there, and we found more than 25+ sports to bet on. The range of sports included everything from the NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, and MLS to other, more widely accepted sports like soccer, cricket, tennis, golf, and even rugby. 

Plus, each of these sports has a ton of betting markets to make use of. You can find all the usual markets like moneyline and over/under, but what we liked most was the range of prop bets. You can click on the props tab on the left of the sportsbook and find a range of options. For example, for a single NFL match, we found options for everything from guessing the exact number of touchdowns to how many rushing yards a specific player will get. 

There is also a live betting feature that you can find in the tab on the left as well. When we clicked through to the next page, we found plenty of live betting options, including a ton of unique live betting markets and competitive odds. To top it off, we then made our way to the BetTV page, where we found weekly shows that give you valuable betting insight into all your favorite sports. 

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 9.1/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/5/10
• Mobile Experience: 9.4/10
• Registration Process: 8.9/10
• Payment Methods: 9.3/10
• Sportsbook: 9.8/10
• Customer Support: 9.2/10

Top Sign-Up Offers: 

2. Everygame – Iowa Sports Betting Site with Competitive Odds

• Pay-out Time: Customers receive payouts in 5 to 10 business days
• Established: 2013
• License: The Government of Curacao
• Headquarters: Florida, USA
• Restricted States: Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Washington State

Our Verdict (Rating 9.2/10)

One thing that was clear to us when we jumped onto the Everygame was that it is very much geared towards sports betting fans. In fact, you can find every other gambling option you might want to try out on the site, including eSports, but a glimpse into the sportsbook showed that there were plenty of options for sports betting, including all of the Major Leagues and NCAA events as well globally popular events like European soccer leagues, tennis, F1, and plenty more.

Plus, as far as promotions go at Everygame, the first thing we noticed was the sportsbook welcome offer. The welcome offer can get you up to $200 for your sports betting needs. There was also a cool parlay betting promo where if you have a parlay that only fails by 1 leg, you receive a $50 free bet. 

Furthermore, the site isn’t just focused on pre-match betting and offers a fantastic live betting section loaded with sports and markets. We also found a cool feature on the homepage that showed us the hottest bets for the day. Basically, it shows you the events that have been getting the most traction that day and what the average odds are for all of them. It also shows you how many bets have been placed so far on all of them. It’s a useful tool, especially if you are trying to build a parlay bet. 

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 9.1/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/10
• Mobile Experience: 8.7/10
• Registration Process: 8.4/10
• Payment Methods: 8.1/10
• Sportsbook: 8.9/10
• Customer Support: 8.6/10

Top Sign-Up Offers: 

3. Bovada – One of the Best Loyalty Programs in Iowa

• Pay-out Time: Customers receive payouts in 24-48 Hours
• Established: 2003
• License: Panama Gaming Commission
• Headquarters: Panama City, Panama
• Restricted States: Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York

Our Verdict (Rating 9.1/10)

Bovada is a top option for sports betting fans in Iowa right now. The range of options on the site is diverse, especially when it comes to the promotions that you can claim. The pick of the lot is probably the 50% up to $1,000 bonus offer you can grab when you sign up. The offer has very few limitations on it, so you can bet on all your favorite sports with it. 

Bovada has also done a wonderful job with its betting options. We were happy to see that we could bet on a number of different sports. The Bovada team also seemed to really do a great job with its eSports betting options, which is sure to please a number of gaming fans. The markets that we found were plentiful. We shopped around on a few events and were happy with the fact that we could place bets on everything from moneyline, spreads, and totals to futures and a range of prop bets. 

Bovada impressed us with their pre-match betting options, but what were the live betting options like? Well, we had a little look at what they had to offer in this regard, and it was more than satisfactory. The live betting options included a host of markets that we could choose from and enticing betting lines. The odds and markets can shift quite quickly, as we experienced first hand, so make sure that you choose your bets swiftly when using the feature. 

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 8.6/10
• Desktop Experience: 8.4/10
• Mobile Experience: 8.4/10
• Registration Process: 8.6/10
• Payment Methods: 8.6/10
• Sportsbook: 8.9/10
• Customer Support: 9/10

Top Sign-Up Offers: 

4. BetNow – Seamless Navigation and User-Friendly

• Pay-out Time: Customers can expect a payout within 48 hours.
• Established: 2014
• License: The Government of Curacao
• Headquarters: Costa Rica
• Restricted States: Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington State

Our Verdict (Rating 8.8/10)

The BetNow welcome bonus is not quite as big as some of the offers on our list, that’s for sure. With that said, when we looked a little closer, we were pleased with the percentage match on the offer, as it gave us a 150% boost. Sure, you might only be able to get $300 out of the offer, but you can get it for a fairly limited investment when you sign up. 

Once we got our hands on a portion of the offer, we then wanted to check out what kind of betting options were available to us. The sports options at BetNow cover a wide variety. For example, we found that we could bet on our favorite US options like the NBA and NFL, and we could also bet on major international events like the Ryder Cup, Champions League, ICC World Cup, and more. 

The in-play betting options at BetNow, or live betting, were quite comprehensive as well. We had a look at a Champions League soccer game that was still happening and found a ton of live markets to choose from. The live markets included standard options, but they also included things like what player would receive a yellow card before the end of a match, the number of freekicks in the next 10 minutes, and plenty more. 

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 8.7/10
• Desktop Experience: 9.1/10
• Mobile Experience: 8.4/10
• Registration Process: 8.6/10
• Payment Methods: 8.3/10
• Sportsbook: 8.8/10
• Customer Support: 8.5/10

Top Sign-Up Offers: 

5. MyBookie – Professional Customer Support, Available 24/7

• Pay-out Time: Customers receive payout in 24-48 Hours
• Established: 2003
• License: Panama Gaming Commission
• Headquarters: Panama City, Panama
• Restricted States: Available in all states

Our Verdict (Rating 8.8/10)

The MyBookie betting options were certainly among the best. In fact, there are more than just a few sports to bet on, with close to 20 sports on offer. We also found that locating certain events we wanted to bet on was a breeze as well, as we could just use the search bar in the sportsbook to find them. It cuts down on time and allows you to get straight to the events and markets you are after. 

Speaking of markets, we were impressed with the number of options we found. We had a look at an NFL regular season game, and we found a ton to choose from. Those were just the pre-match options as well, when we waited for the match to start, we found a whole host of other markets we could use for live betting as well. 

MyBookie is also packed with bonuses and promotions to claim. We got onto the promotions page and started sifting through the offers. The first of these offers is the welcome bonus, where you can cash in on up to $1,000. More so than that, though, you can claim a 50% reload offer, an 8% rebate offer on horse racing betting, and a 200% referral bonus as well. 

Plus, if you want to find out more about specific matches that are coming up, you can use the news section on the site to fill in the gaps. MyBookie does a good job of releasing regular news pieces that give you some insight into the current look of things before a match starts. You can also find unique contests on the site that could potentially win you big cash bonuses as well. Furthermore, it made our experience on the site just a little bit more exciting. 

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 8.5/10
• Desktop Experience: 8.7/10
• Mobile Experience: 8.6/10
• Registration Process: 8.3/10
• Payment Methods: 8.4/10
• Sportsbook: 8.8/10
• Customer Support: 8.8/10

Top Sign-Up Offers: 

Iowa Sports Betting – Latest Legal Updates

• May 8, 2023 – Iowa Gaming Commission investigates the University of Iowa after the school allegedly held student-athletes back from NCAA competition due to ‘potential violations’.
• May 2, 2023 – After new legislation passes through Iowa Legislature, each county is set to receive a portion of the state’s gaming revenue.
• April 17, 2023 – The betting handle in IA increases to $232.6 million. This is mainly thanks to Iowa’s run in the national championship game during Women’s March Madness.
• February 28, 2023 – Blackbird Bend Casino offers in-person betting at its facility, the first tribal retail sportsbook in Iowa.

Iowa Sports Betting Overview

• Retail Sports Betting Launch: August 15, 2019
• Online Sports Betting Launch: August 15, 2019
• Bet Types Available: Moneylines, parlays, totals, in-play betting, point spread, teasers
• Iowa Legal Gambling Age: 21 years old
• Available Sports: NBA, MLS, NHL, NFL, MLB, motorsports, college sports (props excluded), MMA, tennis, golf
• Payment Methods: Visa, Mastercard, e-Wallets, Casino Cage, ACH, Bank Transfers, PayNearMe, Play+
• Iowa Sports Betting Regulator: Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission

Sports Betting Laws in Iowa

In May 2019, Governor Kim Reynolds signed SF 617, a bill that legalized sports betting in Iowa. The law allows for both retail and online sports betting, making Iowa the third state in the Midwest to legalize sports betting, after Illinois and Indiana.

Before being able to place bets online in IA, you must register in person at a licensed casino. You can also place bets at retail sportsbooks located within licensed premises. This includes Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino, Ameristar Council Bluffs, and Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf. You can also bet at our recommended offshore sportsbooks.

Legal Sports Betting Age in Iowa

To place a legal sports bet in Iowa, you must be both:

• Aged at least 21
• Physically located within the state’s borders

This means that even if you’re an Iowa resident over 21, you cannot place a bet outside the state’s borders. You can however bet at offshore sportsbooks.

Additionally, employees of sports teams and governing bodies cannot legally place bets on events in which their team or organization is involved. Furthermore, individuals with a criminal history related to gambling may be barred from participating in IA sports betting.

Paying Tax on Sports Betting Winnings in Iowa

The federal tax rate related to sports betting winnings is 24%, plus Iowa imposes a state tax rate of 6.75% on winnings. Sportsbooks in Iowa are required to issue W2-G forms for winnings of over $1,200, while taxes are withheld at a rate of 5% for Iowa residents, and 0.25% for non-residents.

Iowa gambling law requires that a portion of the revenue generated from betting is allocated toward the Iowa Infrastructure Fund. These funds are used for constructing and maintaining state buildings and facilities.

History of Sports Betting Bills in Iowa

Iowa showed considerable interest in sports betting prior to repealing the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), an act that enforced a federal ban on sports wagering. In 2019, Senator Roby Smith introduced SF 617, which legalized sports wagering.

2022

• HF 2497 – Iowa lawmakers pass a law to legalize wagering on eSports.

2019

• SF 617 – Senator Roby Smith proposes a measure to place the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission as the regulator of a legalized Iowa sports betting market. Lawmakers in the House and Senate pass the bill, which is signed into law.

• HF 648 – Representative Bobby Kaufmann proposes a sports betting bill, which fails to pass to Iowa Legislature.

How to Register with Iowa Online Sports Betting Sites

Registering for the best IA sports betting sites is stress-free and easy. You can bet on a wide range of markets at online sportsbooks using our simple step-by-step guide below.

1. Choose your preferred Iowa online sports betting site. Follow any link on this page to be redirected to one of the best Iowa sportsbooks, recommended by us. Once redirected, follow any link on their site to sign up.
2. Complete the registration process. Enter some personal information into the registration form, like your name, address, date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number.
3. Choose your login details. Choose any username and password, but make sure that your password is as strong as possible.
4. Verify your identity. Most Iowa online sports betting sites require you to verify your identity before you can wager. Normally they send instructions by email to start the verification process, which might involve going to a retail sportsbook location.
5. Enter your Iowa promo code. If you have an Iowa sports betting promo code, enter it into the space provided to redeem your welcome bonus. Welcome bonuses are often applied automatically.
6. Fund your sports betting account. Head to the site’s cashier to deposit funds into your account. Choose a payment option, decide how much to deposit, and follow the instructions for your chosen method. Don’t forget to meet the minimum deposit requirement for a bonus if needed.
7. Place your bets. Once your deposit is confirmed, check out your preferred sportsbook’s range of betting markets, add your selection, and start betting.
8. Collect your winnings. If you win, return to the cashier section to withdraw. Follow the instructions provided by your payment method to complete the transaction securely.

Iowa Betting Apps on Mobile

Most of today’s betting sites offer betting apps today, but in the US this is a must in some states as restrictions are harder to enforce on regular web pages. You can bet on mobile at some online casinos in Iowa.

How to Bet on Sports on Mobile in Iowa

First, find a top Iowa sportsbook that offers a mobile app or mobile-optimized website. Download it or use it in-browser on your mobile device, logging in with the same account you initially created.

To ensure compliance with Iowa sports betting law, your sportsbook must verify your location before you place bets. On mobile or tablet, your device should prompt you to enable your geolocation settings during installation. If not, you can do this in your device settings. On a desktop, you might also be asked to download tracking software or enable IP tracking.

Sports Betting Bonus Types in Iowa

To entice players to sign up, IA sports betting operators offer bonuses and promotions to extend your bankroll. Different promotions give added value in different ways. Read our overview of the most common bonus types below.

IA Sports Betting Payment Methods

Funding your account speedily and securely is essential. Luckily, Iowa online sportsbooks offer secure payment methods for deposits and withdrawals. Some of Iowa’s most common banking options include the following:

• Online banking: Transfer directly from your bank account to your preferred sportsbook with online banking. Bank transfers are incredibly secure and trusted.
• ACH/eCheck: With Automated Clearing House (ACH), you can transfer funds from your checking account without your bank card.
• E-wallets: With e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller, make fast and secure payments without providing bank information.
• Bank card: Use bank cards like Visa and Mastercard to make deposits securely. However, some bank cards won’t accept payments to and from gambling sites.
• Prepayment cards: Prepaid cards like Play+ and PayNearMe offer speedy transactions through cards that can be topped up. You can purchase these at retailers like Walmart and 7-Eleven.
• Check: Some Iowa online sports betting sites accept payments by check. This payment method is slow compared to other digital options.
• Wire transfer: Popular with high rollers, wire transfers allow you to deposit and withdraw by wiring money to and from your bank.

Below, we’ve included an example of what a sportsbook’s payout times might look like.

Responsible Gambling in Iowa

Online gambling sites in Iowa are committed to responsible gaming. As such, each site must have a dedicated responsible sports betting section.

This section should include information and self-help tools such as setting time limits, deposit limits, loss limits, budgets, and more. Additionally, each gambling site in Iowa must implement various safety measures to ensure its platform is secure and the player’s data and funds are protected.

You can also access resources like Gamblers Anonymous, the National Council on Problem Gambling, and the Iowa Department of Public Health’s gambling treatment program. When betting in Iowa, you can join a self-exclusion program. This allows you to voluntarily exclude yourself from online sports betting sites for a specific period, or indefinitely. This program is designed to help you if you have a gambling problem. It allows you to control your behavior and prevent harm.

Iowa Responsible Gambling Resources

• Iowa Gambling Treatment Program – (888) 238-7633
• Iowa Department of Public Health – (855) 581-8111
• Iowa Gaming Association

Teams to Bet on in Iowa

Pro Sports Teams for Iowa Bettors

Iowa Cubs

In Minor League Baseball, the Iowa Cubs represent the Chicago Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate. Iowa Cubs have been a staple of the Des Moines community for over 50 years and won three league championships. They have also produced several Major League Baseball players, including Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Kyle Schwarber.

Cedar Rapids Kernels

A Midwestern League Minor League Baseball team, Cedar Rapids Kernels represent the Cedar Rapids area. They are affiliated with the Minnesota Twins and play their home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The team has been around since 1890 and has won nine league championships.

Iowa Wolves

Iowa Wolves is a professional basketball team playing in the NBA G League. They are affiliated with the Minnesota Timberwolves and play home games at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. The team was founded in 2007 and has made the playoffs four times.

Des Moines Buccaneers

The Des Moines Buccaneers is a junior ice hockey team in the United States Hockey League. They play their home games at Buccaneer Arena in Urbandale, Iowa. The team was founded in 1980 and has won two Anderson Cups and one Clark Cup.

College Sports Teams for Iowa Bettors

University of Iowa Hawkeyes

University of Iowa’s athletics program, known as the Hawkeyes, is a member of the Big Ten Conference in NCAA Division I. Its football team has appeared in many Rose Bowl games. Its basketball team has also had success, with multiple NCAA tournament appearances and a Big Ten tournament championship in 2021.

Iowa State University Cyclones

Iowa State University Cyclones is a member of the Big 12 Conference in NCAA’s Division I. Its football team has had several successful seasons, including a conference championship in 2020. Its men’s basketball team has made multiple March Madness appearances and reached the Sweet Sixteen in 2021.

University of Northern Iowa Panthers

The University of Northern Iowa Panthers football team has made several appearances in the FCS playoffs and won multiple conference championships. The school’s men’s basketball team has also had success, with multiple NCAA tournament appearances and several conference championships.

Drake University Bulldogs

The Drake University Bulldogs is the basketball team for Drake University. The team has a long history of success, winning the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title in 2008. They also won conference tournament championships in 2008 and 2021. They have also made several appearances in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Types of Sports Bets in Iowa

You’ll find a range of markets available at Iowa online sports betting sites, for major league and collegiate sporting events. On top of this, you’ve got even more choice when it comes to the types of bets you can place:

• Moneyline: Bet on a prediction of which team or individual you think will win a sporting event.
• Point spread: With spread betting, a handicap is applied to the favorite or underdog. For your bet to pay out, you must have correctly predicted who will win the event after the handicap is applied to the result.
• Totals: Also known as over/under bets, totals betting means your sportsbook will set a betting line for a statistic at an event. Then you must accurately predict whether the final total for that statistic is over or under the betting line.
• Props: Proposition bets are placed on the performance of teams or individual players. In Iowa, prop betting on collegiate events is prohibited.
• Futures: You can also bet on significant events far in the future, like the winner of the NBA MVP or Super Bowl.
• In-play betting: In-play betting allows you to place wagers while the action is ongoing. With odds changing by the second, keep your eyes on the prize to find the best prices as the play unfolds.
• Parlays: Parlay bets combine multiple wagers into a single bet. On the best Iowa online sports betting sites, you can choose from single-game parlays – placed on multiple events in a single game – or multi-game parlays – placed on multiple events.
• Teasers: With a teaser bet, you can add multiple points spread bets to a single slip. You can also adjust the spread to suit your bet.

Illegal Bet Types in Iowa

In Iowa, betting on collegiate sports is legal, but certain laws prohibit the types of bets you can make. The state prohibits:

• Betting on individual player performance in college games
• All prop bets involving college teams
• Betting on any games involving Iowa-based college teams

While these laws may limit betting options for some college sports fans, they are designed to prevent potential conflicts of interest, or the risk of game-fixing.

Sports Betting Locations in Iowa

Retail Sportsbooks in Iowa

Lottery Betting in Iowa

Currently, the Iowa Lottery has not entered into any partnership with a gaming operator to offer legal sports betting. However, the lottery has indicated an interest in expanding to include online and mobile platforms in the future. It is unclear if the Iowa Lottery will go alone or partner with a betting operator to offer such services.

Given the success of other states that have partnered with gaming operators for betting in Iowa, the Iowa Lottery may consider such a partnership in the future.

Iowa DFS

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests were legalized in Iowa in May 2019. DFS games involve selecting a roster of players and competing against others in a tournament-style format. DFS contests for major leagues are available in IA through top operators.

Iowa Sports Betting Resources

For more information about legal bodies, sports teams, and responsible gambling help in Iowa, you can check out the following resources:

• Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
• Iowa Lottery
• Iowa Gambling Treatment Program
• Iowa Gaming Association
• Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Iowa Wolves
• Hawkeyes
• The University of Northern Iowa Panthers

What is the Best Online Sports Betting Site in Iowa?

With such a competitive market for Iowa bettors, it can be challenging to determine the best online sports betting site. So many operators offer various markets on the most popular sports in Hawkeye State, but our review team concluded that BetOnline offers an unparalleled service.

Our experts loved its excellent range of sports markets, intuitive and straightforward desktop client, mobile site, and apps for iOS and Android. In particular for new bettors looking to create their first account, our industry experts have concluded that BetOnline IA is the best sports betting site in Iowa. This all-in-one platform won’t leave bettors in the Hawkeye State wanting anything else.

Follow any BetOnline IA link on this page, sign up, and start betting on sports today.

Iowa Sports Betting Law FAQs