Iowa Sports Betting: Best Iowa Betting Sites in 2025

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Iowa?

Online sports betting was legalized in 2019, one year after the demise of PASPA. The process could have been expedited one year prior, but legislators failed to agree on a framework for legal sports wagering. But, by 2019, Iowa lawmakers were ready to bring sports betting to the area.

Today, Iowans aged 21+ can choose between almost 20 sports betting platforms. Big hitters and niche sites have set up shop in the Hawkeye State — delivering unique markets, welcome bonuses, and loyalty programs to Iowa's sports bettors.

Iowa Sports Betting Updates & Timeline

• 2018: PASPA — Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act — falls, allowing Iowa to create its own sports betting rules. Discussions regarding legal sports betting are held, but legislators fail to divulge a bill during the year's session.
• 2019: A bill titled SF 617 is put before the Senate and the House. It proves popular, winning out by clear margins on both sides. The motion is sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds, who signs the bill into law by May of the same year.
• August proves to be a pivotal moment in Iowa's sports betting history as online and retail sports betting launch simultaneously.
• 2020: The state reports a tremendously successful opening year for sports handle. Plus, DraftKings enters Iowa, joining PointsBet and William Hill, among others.
• 2021: An outdated law requiring customers to sign up at retail sportsbook locations is thrown out in favor of a new rule. With this update, bettors can sign up for sports betting platforms online. The state then beats its previous monthly record for sports betting handle.
• 2022: eSports betting markets are legalized by Iowa lawmakers, going live during the summer of 2022.
• 2023: Retail sports betting is available at an Iowa casino — Blackbird Bend Casino — for the first time.
• 2024: Controversy stirs at the start of the new year as four college athletes are accused of betting on sports markets under pseudonyms. The case is dropped by early March, with all four athletes cleared of wrongdoing.

Best Sports Betting Sites Currently Available in Iowa

The Iowa sports betting market is among the healthiest in the US. Boasting nearly 20 online sportsbooks at any one time, bettors have access to supreme numbers of markets. The only downside is the recent trend of operators leaving the state — but with so many betting companies in Iowa, changes should be expected.

Here, I break down five of the Iowa sportsbooks available right now.

BetMGM Sportsbook Iowa

Viewed as a premium online sports betting brand, BetMGM delivers elite bonuses, a generous loyalty program, and 15+ sports to Iowa bettors. The operator entered Iowa in 2021 through its downloadable mobile sports betting app — and users can today access the platform via desktop and smartphone devices.

BetMGM's promo credits $150 in bonus bets to all new registrants. Just deposit $10 and wager $5 on your favorite sports market to participate in this unique onboarding package.

The site's rewards program, BetMGM Rewards, also deserves some love. Betting on the sports betting app or website earns points, and these points can be exchanged for extravagant prizes. Specifically, I'm talking about Vegas discounts, exclusive tickets, and hotel stays. Or, stick with betting-only rewards by grabbing bonus bets and accessing special offers on BetMGM platforms.

All-in-all, I consider BetMGM the elite sportsbook in Iowa.

FanDuel Sportsbook Iowa

Initially a stalwart in the US gambling industry for its Daily Fantasy Sports offering, modern FanDuel is arguably regarded as more of a sports betting platform than anything else.

The betting website is no slouch, either, and deserves every ounce of praise headed its way. Exemplifying this is the Fanduel promo offer — tabling $150 in bonus bets for all users who bet and win the first time around. I like this deal for its ingenuity, with many competitors throwing around the same type of bonus bet-centric offer.

Add the platform's 16 sports and its highly competitive odds into the mix, and it quickly becomes clear that FanDuel is here to compete. Soccer, football, ice hockey, basketball, and baseball all appear within the site's side menu — while darts, rugby, and even table tennis also receive attention from the sportsbook's pricing team.

From stem to stern, Fanduell is a polished, high-quality offering. A 'must-try' for any Iowa sports bettor.

DraftKings Sportsbook Iowa

DraftKings joined Iowa's sports betting industry in partnership with Wild Rose Casinos, a retail establishment providing in-person sports betting and casino games.

Iowa bettors have enjoyed DraftKings' services since early 2020, and the sportsbook's current facilities reward customers in more ways than ever before. For starters, newly registered punters are eligible for up to $1,000 in bonus bets upon placing a debut wager. Just deposit $5+ and wager $0.10 or more to earn a bonus bet of the same value as your initial bet.

Existing customers can get in on the fun, too. Profit boosts, same game parlay insurance, a $50 refer-a-friend promotion, and a Dynasty Rewards Program all function to give back to players who regularly bet online with DraftKings.

Whether you're passionate about the NFL, NBA, NHL, or elite divisions in Europe and beyond — Draftkings Sportsbook has everything you'll ever need.

BetRivers Sportsbook Iowa

Iowa's sports betting laws permit retail casinos to partner with up to three online sportsbooks – and BetRivers is the beneficiary of this rule. The operator hit the state through a deal with Wild Rose Casinos and now offers live streaming, low wagering requirements for bonuses, and exclusive betting rewards.

My favorite Betrivers feature is the site's 'Prop Central' area. Here, you can sift through hundreds of unique props across swathes of sports; soccer, basketball, football, and hockey included. It serves as an easy way to find your next prop bet, with loads of options shuffled neatly into one area.

The best way to get started with BetRivers is through the platform's 'Second Chance' welcome offer. Essentially, this deal dishes out $100 in bonus bets if your first wager lets you down. Remember to enter the code 'SPORTS' upon depositing to qualify.

For 16 detailed sports and countless exciting betting options, choose Iowa's BetRivers Sportsbook.

Betfred Sportsbook Iowa

Few better Iowa betting sites reside in the Hawkeye State, with Betfred the purveyor of numerous ongoing promotions. Already-registered customers are the focus of the day here, shoveling out choke insurance, free wagers, profit boosts, and other boosts for existing users.

But the site doesn't ignore its new compatriots. A cool $105 in bonus bets is available for all new bettors at Betfred – just wager $20+ to grab your slice of the pie. Qualifying bets span all sports listed on the sports betting site, so feel free to indulge in any of the 14 detailed options.

All of this said, the main attraction of the Betfred is not the operator's sports or offers. Rather, I view the sportsbook's live betting service as the primary driver behind the platform's popularity. You're greeted by a vast selection of in-play markets the moment you enter Betfred — and it seems no sport is left untouched.

Visit Betfred Iowa today to access hundreds of live markets and ongoing boosts.

Iowa Sportsbooks Hoping to Launch Soon 

18 sportsbooks compete in Iowa's brimming online sports betting market. You'd be forgiven for believing there's no room for additions to the state...but that couldn't be further from the truth.

Fanatics Sportsbook is the latest new operator in Iowa, replacing PointsBet following its exit from the region. An app-only service, the betting mobile betting platform supplies high-octane action, in-depth statistics, and a unique 'FanCash' rewards program.

There's little-to-no news on other sportsbooks arriving in Iowa soon — but you'll receive word of incoming sportsbooks here if and when rumors begin swirling.

Best Sportsbook Promos in Iowa 

Promotions are the beating heart of Iowa's online sportsbook industry. Each of the state's 18 operators rewards new and existing punters throughout the various league seasons — with NFL offers, NBA deals, MLB packages, and even soccer bonuses.

Let's examine two of the best promotions at online sportsbooks in Iowa.

Bet and Get $100 in Bonus Bets - ESPN Bet

Iowa sports bettors can clinch $100 in bonus bets by wagering any amount on ESPN Bet. The offer is simple in premise and requires players to deposit just $10 to qualify.

Once you've funded your account, wager on one of the sportsbook's 20 sports to activate the deal. ESPN Bet will credit 5x $20 bonus bets to your account regardless of the wager's outcome, accumulating to $100.

The ESPN Bet offer applies a 7-day active lifespan for this deal, so you should try to play through each of your bonus bets within one week of notching the boost.

That's all there is to it! Sign up, deposit $10+, and bet on a sports market to get in on this fantastic bonus.

$1,000 in Bonus Bets - Caesars Sportsbook

Use the code 'BO1000' when signing up with Caesars Sportsbook to qualify for a $1,000 bonus bet offer. It's a standard bonus bet deal — in that it only rewards players who lose the first time around — but the sheer size of this bonus makes it one of the best on the market.

No minimum bet requirements apply. Just bet on your favorite betting markets within 30 days of signing up to qualify and Caesars will pay out up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your first punt loses. As the sum of your bonus is determined by the size of your qualifying bet, you'll need to stake $1,000 to claim the full $1,000 in bonus bets.

You're free to use the $1000 bonus bets token however you like over the following 14 days.

Requirements to Play at Iowa Sports Betting Sites

• Evidenced by the state's open-door approach to sportsbooks, bettors are stricken with very few barriers when it comes to accessing sports betting in Iowa.
• The usual stipulations apply, though, with minimum age rules requiring that all bettors are 21+ to place wagers at online sportsbooks. And, pertinent to a recent controversy in the state, employees of sports franchises are forbidden from betting on sports events.
• Players were required to sign up in person to bet online until 2021. That law has since been amended, and you can now create a sportsbook profile over the internet. However, you must remain within Iowa's state borders to place wagers.

Popular Sports & Leagues to Bet on in Iowa

Iowa's diminutive population compared to many other states makes it unsuitable for major professional sports teams. Therefore, residents tend to lean toward elite franchises in nearby areas — with Minnesota, Kansas, Chicago, and Green Bay's outfits all supported by Iowans.

Here's a quick look at the most popular sports and leagues to bet on in Iowa.

Iowa Sport Leagues

March Madness, NCAAF, NCAAB, NFL, NBA, and the NHL are all popular picks among Iowa's betting population. A large portion of bettors follow college sports leagues over major divisions due to Iowa lacking a team in the 'big leagues' — but the state's passion for elite professional sports hasn't waned.

Even the USL — a professional soccer league — garners a fair amount of attention from Iowa's sportsbook users.

Iowa Teams to Bet On

College sports betting is legal in Iowa. In turn, bettors can back teams from the Iowa Hawkeyes, Drake Bulldogs, Iowa State Cyclones, and Northern Iowa Panthers.

As for professional sports, the usual suspects take charge. The Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears — all of the NFL — take precedence over other franchises.

What You Can't Bet On In Iowa

Despite a plethora of positives associated with Iowa's free-going approach to sports betting, some drawbacks apply. I've compiled a list of events that you're not allowed to bet on in Iowa, below.

• College Props — Although college betting is legal, you're restricted from accessing prop markets.
• NFL Draft — Well...kind of. You can bet on the NFL Draft up to 24 hours before the event begins. Markets won't reopen until the following year – so get your wagers in while you can!
• Your Sports Employer — As was recently in the public eye, professional and college athletes are not allowed to bet on their own team in Iowa.

Other Types of Gambling in Iowa

Online casino gambling is forbidden by Iowa law, but other forms of betting are permitted. Refer to the list below for a closer look at popular types of wagering in the Hawkeye State.

• Horse Racing — Several Off-Track Betting terminals sprawled throughout Iowa provide easy access to racing markets.

• Poker — Although online poker is banned from the state, hundreds of in-person poker rooms are available.

• DFS — Daily Fantasy Sports betting stands as one of Iowa's favorite ways to wager. FanDuel and DraftKings offer top-tier online DFS facilities – and you can log in using existing sportsbook credentials to play on these platforms.

• Sweepstakes Casinos - Online sweeps casinos have exploded across the US and they are here to stay.

Upcoming States to License Online Sports Betting Sites

Most of Iowa's neighboring states have either legalized sports betting or are on the cusp of doing so. Check out the current situation in three states, here.

• Nebraska — After legalizing retail sports betting, the next logical step for Nebraska lawmakers is to focus on internet-based wagering. Major sportsbooks are keen to join the state soon, but new legislation hasn't yet come forward.
• Minnesota — 2024 is set to be a vital year for advocates of sports betting in Minnesota. Bill SF 1949 is working its way through the state's system, and if legalized, will put the North Star State's tribes in control of sports betting.
• Missouri — Iowa's southern neighbor has thrown its eggs into one basket in 2024; Bill HB 2331 will be received by the Senate before the session's end. Should it pass, Missouri will offer legal sports betting.

Overview of Iowa Sports Betting Sites

Iowa's slate of sportsbooks is an ever-evolving mixture of options. Since legalization in 2019, sports bettors have consistently enjoyed upwards of 15 new online sportsbooks — with more likely to join the fold before the decade's out.

The NFL, NBA, USL, MLB, and NCAA sports leagues all receive tremendous support from Iowa's legal sports betting sites. Despite the state being known for its farmland over sports fields, there's no doubting residents' passion for competitive sports. Iowa's sports betting revenue figures are clear evidence of that fact.

So, whether you're new to sports betting apps or a veteran of elite sportsbook wagering, check out the likes of DraftKings, Betway, Betfred, or FanDuel — among others — for a top-tier betting experience in Iowa.

Iowa Sports Betting FAQ