The Iowa online sports betting scene is thriving after sportsbooks became state regulated in 2019. The state was quick to react when the US Supreme Court retracted the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018. As a result, the Hawkeye State has embraced sports betting, and it is now big business in the state.
Plenty of online sportsbook operators have jumped at the opportunity to launch in Iowa. Since 2019, the sports betting handle in Iowa has exceeded many expectations, and bettors have a host of high-quality sports betting options.
Best Iowa Sports Betting Sites in 2023
There is only one race track in Iowa, but that doesn’t mean the state isn’t interested in the sport. Prairie Meadows has been offering races since the late 1980s. But, given that the state only has a few million residents and that population is spread around a large geographic area, the attendance at the raceway was pretty poor.
Adding more incentives and products at the track has increased attendance. Also, being able to run simulcast races from around the United States breathed new life into the business. Pari-mutuel betting is legal in the state and shows no signs of going anywhere at this stage.
Online Horse Betting
Despite running races and accepting bets at their facility, Prairie Meadows cannot offer online wagering to its players. As a result, bookmakers like reliable offshore racebooks have filled this space. As new sports betting sites launch in the future, more options may become available.
The sites listed below are great online horse betting options for Iowa users.
Top Iowa Racebooks
Casino Gambling in Iowa
Like many states in the Midwest, casino gambling started in Iowa on riverboat casinos. The first riverboat casino launched legally in 1991. Since then, huge growth in the market has taken place.
What started as a handful of these riverboat casinos has morphed into a full land-based industry. Several venues across the state now offer classic table games and slots. Currently, 18 land-based casinos are operating in the Hawkeye State. Almost all of these venues have their own sportsbook, or they are partnered with an online sports betting provider.
In fact, the introduction of casino-style games saved the Prairie Meadows track. The venues were given a chance to offer slots first, followed by a full set of table games. This move put the track on an equal footing with the other casinos in the state.
Iowa is one of a handful of states that offer casinos operated by tribal communities, as well as those run by casino franchises. This allows the tribes to be able to generate some much-needed revenue while not being shut out by the state on gaming opportunities. The rise of legalized, online sports betting has also opened inroads for new revenue.
Online Casinos in Iowa
Even though Iowa online sports betting sites are flourishing, there is no law allowing state regulated online casino games. Online games like poker, blackjack, and slot machines for real money are are only available to Iowa residents at offshore Casinos.
Top Iowa Online Casinos
Lottery in Iowa
Iowa has had a vibrant lottery scene ever since the Lottery was established in 1985. The lottery is responsible for contributing to several social causes in the state. As a result, growing the revenues is a priority from the governor’s office.
The state residents can participate in pooled games like Powerball and Mega Millions. These lottery games generate jackpots into the billions and are popular across the country. Also, Iowa residents have the additional option of playing any of the hundreds of scratch tickets available at retailers across the state.