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.
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.
For more, visit the US Online Gambling Laws Guide.
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.
