Online Casinos in Iowa – Best Online Gambling Sites for Iowa 2024
Iowa embraced online gambling to a degree with legal sports betting available since 2019. Iowans can wager on sports through licensed operators, but playing online casino games for real money remains prohibited.
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 permitted Native American Indians to open casinos on their reservations. In 1991 Iowa permitted the first legal casinos but they were on riverboats.
Online casinos are illegal in the state. The online legal form of gambling is betting on sports at online sportsbooks. Betting on dog and horse racing is legal in Iowa. Charitable gaming such as bingo, and raffles are legal.
Iowa has two important laws that regulate gambling in the state, Iowa Code 99 and Iowa Code 725.5. While SF671 regulates online sportsbook betting.
History of Gambling in Iowa
The first state lottery draw took place in 1985. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 authorized the first tribal Indian casinos. Riverboat casinos became legal in 1989.
In 1994, slot machine players played slots to win money at pari-mutuel horse racing tracks for the first time. Finally, retail online sports betting and daily fantasy sports became legal in 2019.
Taxation Casino Gambling Wins
The federal tax on casino wins is 24% for wins above $1,200. If you win more than 300x your stake you’ll also have to pay gambling tax.
Moreover, the state charges a tax on all wins of $600 throughout the year. Keep in mind, that the amount of tax you’ll pay depends on the size of the win.
Pros & Cons of Playing at Online Gambling Sites in Iowa
Pros
Legal online casinos operate under the stringent rules of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
Players have clear avenues for redress in case of disputes
Licensed casinos offer high-quality games from reputable software providers
Playing at legal casinos supports the Iowa economy and local communities through tax revenues
Legal casinos have high standards and allow players to ban themselves
Cons
Players must be physically at the Iowa casino to bet
Winnings from legal online casinos are subject to tax
The number of legal Iowa casinos is fewer than offshore online casinos
Legal casinos don't offer bonuses to players
Types of Bonuses at Iowa Casinos
Casino bonuses give you a ‘free kick’ which increases your winning potential and playing time. Check the terms and conditions of each bonus before you accept it.
Welcome Bonuses: Gives your casino budget a boost matching your initial deposit.
No-Deposit Bonuses: A risk-free way to try out games as you play with the casino’s money, not yours.
Free Spins: Online casinos award free spins to play new and preselected slot games.
Reload Bonuses: They’re only available to returning depositors as an extra incentive.
Deposit & Withdrawal Methods
The table helps you to choose the most convenient banking online casino transactions in Iowa:
Method
Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard)
Bank Transfer
E-wallets (Skrill, PayPal, Neteller)
Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum)
PayNearMe
Cash at the Casino Cage
Check
Pros
User-friendly and widely accepted
Safe and high limits
Fast transactions, secure and low fees
Fast transactions, low fees, great security
Anonymous and secure
Instant transactions and safe
Can handle large withdrawals
Cons
Withdrawals can be slots and charge fees
Incurs fees and slow processing times
Not always available for withdrawals
Price volatility
No withdrawals, must visit a retail location to deposit
Must be physically at the casino
Not the most convenient slow processing time
Casinos in Iowa
The best land casinos where gamblers can play casino games legally are Prairie Meadows, Ameristar, and Horseshoe Council Bluffs.
Patrons who visit Iowa casinos can play slot machines, join a fitness center, and dine on fine cuisine.
Does Iowa Have Indian Casinos?
Yes, Iowa has four Indian casinos that are on tribal lands. The same rules that apply to commercial casinos don’t apply to them. The best Tribal Indian casinos are:
Meskwaki Casino & Resort: Casinos games like slot machines, poker, lottery, card games, Poker Cash and Poker tournaments.
Blackbird Bend Casino: Poker, lottery, slot games, blackjack, roulette, craps, and other casino games.
Racinos
Iowa horseshoe casinos are popular throughout the state. Players can bet on horses via pari-mutuel betting and dog racing, and they can play casino games.
There are two racinos in Iowa where you can bet on greyhound racing and the ponies. They are the Q Casino and Hotel, and Prairie Meadows.
The length of the racetracks ranges from 0.25 miles to 1 mile, respectfully. Prairie Meadows can seat 6,200 visitors to watch and bet on horse racing.
Does Iowa Have Cruise Ship and Riverboat Casinos?
Iowa used to have riverboat casinos, but lawmakers in the state amended it in 2004. Casinos henceforth could only be on moored barges in manmade water.
Technically speaking, there’s been a shift more toward commercial casinos than riverboat casinos. The only riverboat casino in Iowa is the Ameristar Council Bluffs.
The state has no cruise ship casinos since it’s far from the ocean.
Security
Online casinos in Iowa use encryption SSL technology to protect your data.
Secondly, they hold valid licenses from recognized regulatory bodies. In addition, they provide secure payment options to safeguard transactions over the Internet.
Finally, the games at offshore online casinos use random number generators. Companies like TST and iGaming Labs regularly test the games of online casinos for safety.
Problem Gambling
Online casinos in Iowa have the necessary tools in place that help players to gamble responsibly.
This includes limits on how much you can deposit or lose in a specific timeframe.
You can take short breaks or exclude yourself from the casino for a while. Casinos also send reminders to players to encourage them to take breaks from gambling.
If you feel you have a gambling problem, get help right away. You can visit the Iowa Gaming Association’s website for more info.
Conclusion
Online casino gambling in Iowa remains illegal, even as the state has successfully implemented online sports betting.
Talks about legalizing online casino gaming have surfaced, but lawmakers haven’t acted on it yet. The current stance reflects a cautious approach, balancing economic potential with regulatory challenges.
Looking ahead, online casino regulation holds significant promise for Iowa. Legalization could generate substantial tax revenue, create jobs, and provide players with a safe, regulated environment.
FAQ Iowa Online Casinos
Are online casinos legal in the state of Iowa?
No, residents of Iowa don’t have access to legal online casinos. To play casino games over the Internet, Iowa players can play at the sites CasinoWhizz recommends.
How do I self-exclude myself at Iowa casinos?
Commercial casinos allow you to self-exclude, and they’ll share your information with the other casinos. Tribal casinos don’t belong to the same setup.
How much money can I win at a casino before I'm eligible to pay tax on casino wins?
Win $600 or more, you’ll have to pay tax and big wins can incur a federal tax rate of 24%.
What types of casino games for real money can I play at Iowa casinos?
Players can play a variety of casino games such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker at land casinos. They can also bet on sports at the state’s legal sports betting sites and horses.
Will Iowa legalize online casinos anytime soon?
Nobody knows when regulators will permit online casino gambling in Iowa. For now, players can play casino games at offshore online casinos with licenses.
Otto Bergstrom is a veteran in the world of casinos and gambling with 20 years of extensive experience. Writing for Casino Whizz, he shares his deep understanding of game strategies and the latest casino trends.
Casino bonuses give you a ‘free kick’ which increases your winning potential and playing time. Check the terms and conditions of each bonus before you accept it.
Online casinos in Iowa use encryption SSL technology to protect your data.
Online casinos in Iowa have the necessary tools in place that help players to gamble responsibly.
Are online casinos legal in the state of Iowa?
