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Best Gambling in Iowa

Sarah | December 18, 2019 | Updated on: April 26th, 2021

For players looking for the best gambling  in Iowa this is the perfect guide for you. We have put together a list of the best land-based casinos in Iowa and online gambling sites in the state. If you enjoy gambling for real money and playing casino games both online and offline then Iowa is the perfect place for you. Unlike other states with casinos like New Jersey and Nevada, Iowa does not have as much of a history with gambling. However, it is one of the most relaxed states towards gambling. US players can enjoy casinos online and bet on sports and other forms of gambling in the state. The legal forms of gambling in the state are charitable gambling, state lotteries, commercial casinos, tribal casinos and race track betting on both Hounds and Horses. Players can also enjoy online casinos and sports betting. If you would like to enjoy a casino gaming from the comfort of your home or on your mobile device then try out any of the online casino sites we have listed below. They have real money gambling games and they accept players from the state of Iowa and the United States in general.

Best Iowa Online Gambling Sites

#1

$10,000 BONUS

97.9% Payout

Rating: 4.7/5

98% Payout

$10,000 BONUS 97.9% Payout - Rating: 4.8/5
#2

$5,000 BONUS

97.09% Payout

Rating: 4.7/5

99% Payout

$5000 BONUS 97.09% Payout - Rating: 4.8/5
#3

$7,500 BONUS

98% Payout

Rating: 4.9/5

98% Payout

$7500 BONUS 97.9% Payout - Rating: 4.9/5
#4

$2,000 BONUS

97% Payout

Rating: 4.7/5

97% Payout

$2000 BONUS 97% Payout - Rating: 4.7/5
#5

$5,000 BONUS

98% Payout

Rating: 4.7/5

98% Payout

$5,000 BONUS 98% Payout - Rating: 4.8/5
#6

$9,000 BONUS

97.9% Payout

Rating: 4.7/5

98% Payout

$9,000 BONUS 97.9% Payout - Rating: 4.8/5

Legal Casino Gambling in Iowa

The casinos you will find in Iowa mostly riverboat casinos. Of just over 24 casinos in Iowa about 18 are riverboat casinos while the rest are land-based or other Native American tribal casinos.

Legal Gambling in Iowa

The laws around gambling in Iowa are pretty strange to say the least. Almost all forms of gambling allowed and gambling houses and casinos on riverboats are legal. However, the law defines illegal gambling as taking part in a “game for anything of value or making any bet”. The same statute still allows casinos that are useful gambling and Sports betting amongst other forms of betting.

  • Horse racing- here a few racetracks in Iowa and operators are allowed to telecast and bet on races in an out-of-state.
  • Hound racing is a big thing in Iowa and bet is regularly wager on in and out of state races which are simulcast.
  • Casino games are allowed on riverboats Native American tribal casinos and some casinos which have since converted to land-based casinos from being originally riverboats.
  • Social Gambling- Iowa residents are allowed with a licence of course to host annual game lights for the purpose of charity however no animal fights betting is allowed even for charity.,
  • Sports betting – gamblers in Iowa can enjoy betting on sports at the various casinos in Iowa as well as online

Iowa Casinos Map

  • Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs –Riverboat casino     
  • Blackbird Bend Casino- Native American
  • Catfish Bend Burlington
  • Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque
  • Diamond Jo Casino Northwood
  • Grand Falls Casino
  • Hard Rock Sioux City
  • Harrah’s Council Bluffs
  • Horseshoe Council Bluffs
  • Isle of Capri Bettendorf
  • Isle of Capri Waterloo
  • Casino Queen Marquette (previously known as Ladyluck ) – Riverboat casino
  • Lakeside Hotel & Casino Osceola –
  • Meskwaki Casino –Native American   
  • Prairie Flower Casino-Native American   
  • Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino
  • Q Casino Racetrack and Casino
  • Rhythm City Casino Resort Davenport
  • Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
  • Wild Rose Casino and Resort Clinton
  • Wild Rose Casino and Resort Emmetsburg
  • Wild Rose Casino and Resort Jefferson
  • WinnaVegas Casino Resort- Native American   

The History of Gambling in Iowa

May 1983

Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission was created after the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act was signed into law

July 18 1984

Three-year conditional licenses to the Racing Association of Central Iowa for thoroughbred racing in Bondurant.

October 15, 1986

Three-year conditional license for greyhound racing is approved for the Waterloo Greyhound Park in Waterloo.

June 1, 1985

Dubuque Greyhound Park launched after getting a three-year seasonal greyhound racing license

April 1, 1991

First three riverboat casinos in USA were opened the Dubuque Casino Belle; the Diamond Lady in Bettendorf; and The President in Dubuque.

May 10, 1991

Emerald Lady Casino in Burlington was opened

March 1994

Gambling age raised from 18 – 21

The $200/day loss limit and the maximum $5/hand bet was abolished.

January 2017

Sportsbook simulcasting approved

2019

Sports betting and fantasy sports betting for real money was authorized under the regulation of the Racing and Gaming Commission.
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