Is Online Gambling Legal In Iowa

Gambling in Iowa is covered by Iowa Code 99 (gambling houses) et seq. And Iowa Code 725.5 (gambling and betting), et seq. The minimum gambling age is 21. Online Gambling in Iowa Iowa is a great place to have some fun with live gaming, and a terrible place for people who want to play over the internet. Any individual or group conducting gambling activities in Iowa must: Obtain a gambling license from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Obtain a permanent sales tax permit from the Iowa Department of Revenue Note: A gambling license may not be required for certain “very small raffles” (contact the Department of Inspections and Appeals for details). Iowa’s Laws on Legal Gambling Online Iowa state does not have specific statutes ruling online gambling as illegal, however it is overwhelmingly likely that it would. Legal Iowa sports betting is here. The state legalized wagering as of May 2019 and went live with retail and online betting in August 2019. As of January 2021, you can sign up for online sportsbooks from anywhere in the state. Read on for more about the present and future of Iowa sports betting. One alternative to land casinos is for players to get the same thrills through Legal Iowa.

Welcome to iowastategambling.com, with us you can compare all Iowa online gambling sites. Filter for the biggest bonuses or minimum deposit requirements, all to help you find the best Iowa online gambling site for you!

Online Gambling in Iowa

Unfortunately, online gambling in Iowa does not offer much for the residents. Today, only online sports betting is legal for online gambling, as far as online casinos are concerned, it will probably be a while before we see these operate legally in Iowa.

For those of you who want to play online gambling in Iowa, in the form of slots or poker, it is social or sweepstakes casinos that you may stick to.

Legal gambling in Iowa

Legal gambling in Iowa today affects a number of different areas of gambling, many big favorites and a number of smaller ones.

For those who want to gamble in Iowa, you can either choose one of the 23 land-based caisnona, where both slots but also unique poker rooms are available. In addition to that, there are currently 6 land-based sportsbooks and an associated online section for those of you who prefer it.

There are simply a large number of options for you who want to play legal gambling in Iowa.

  • Land-based Gambling
  • Online Gambling (sports betting only)
  • Charitable- and house-based gambling
  • Lottery
Below our comparison list you can compare all Iowa online gambling sites. Filter by desired criteria, such as bonuses and payment methods. All for you to find the best Iowa online gambling sites for you.
Play your favorite poker games live online. Win money, play with friends and try new games!
Play at any time of the day or night. Online gambling is open when it suits you.
Receive awesome promo offers, which will make your gambling even more fun.

Online gambling games in Iowa

Online gambling games in Iowa, have recently become increasingly in demand by residents.

Now that they have got a taste for online sports betting that was launched in 2019, it seems that online casino games are the next long-awaited type of game. At present, we can not see that Iowa online gambling regarding casino games will be legalized any time soon. There is no proposed bill submitted to the House, and no ongoing one is being drafted at this time.

Poker rooms in Iowa

For real money gambling, residents can take advantage of the land-based casinos, sports betting or any of the 9 poker rooms in Iowa.

Poker has also recently expanded in the state, and residents can today, as I said, take part in a total of 9 poker rooms. Lots of different poker games are played here, e.g. Texas Hold'em, Omaha but also Razz and Five-card draw. The poker rooms in Iowa also offer accommodation a number of tournaments, where the prize money is significantly higher than if you play outside of one.

You can find all poker rooms in Iowa at the following locations in the state:

  • Catfish Bend Casino - Burlington
  • Diamond Jo Casino - Worth, Northwood
  • Grand Falls Casino -Larchwood
  • Horseshoe Council Bluffs - Council Bluffs
  • Meskwaki Casino (Class II tribal) - Tama
  • Prairie Meadows (racino) - Altoona
  • Q Casino - Dubuque
  • Riverside Casino & Golf Resort - Riverside
  • WinnaVegas Casino Resort - Sloan

Poker online

So there are a lot of different poker rooms to play in Iowa, but what about when we want to play poker online in the state?

Well, unfortunately, online poker is also covered by the online gambling law in Iowa. Which in short means that online poker is not legal to play in Iowa. However, there are a number of social online casinos that we like to call them. Where you, as a player, do not risk losing any money when you play online.

These types of games are quite popular in the United States, but perhaps it is because online poker has not yet been legalized in many states in the country.

Benefits with online gambling

There are a variety of benefits to gambling online. Above all, it is a great advantage that you as a player get access to bonuses on the sites, which will increase the chance of a possible win.

In addition to the bonuses, it is a huge advantage that you are no longer dependent on being in a specific place to gamble. With online gambling, you can play from wherever you want, as long as you are within the state's borders, that is.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Iowa

And last but not least, the advantage is that you can play whenever you want. Because online gambling is not linked to a specific place, you can play at any time of the day or night.

Convenience

Play from home on the couch, or on the way home from work. With online gambling in Iowa, you can play from wherever you want.

Bonuses

Bonuses, free spins, risk-free games, or cashback. All of this and so much you can get at online gambling in Iowa.

2000+ Games on one site

Play all your favorite games online. Slots, online poker, or roulette. With online gambling, you can play all your favorite games on one site.

Gamble online in Iowa

Because online sports betting is legalized, you can actually gamble online in Iowa.

Is this the first time for you? No danger, in our next guide we will start you up on how to gamble online in Iowa. This means that we will go through the registration process, payment methods but also so much more. So keep reading if it's time for you to gamble online in Iowa for the first time!

Register at a online gambling site in Iowa

To begin with, you can scroll up to the top of our page. There you can easily select the first Iowa online gambling site you want to register on, to start playing later. Once you have chosen, it is time for you to register on the online gambling site in Iowa. The registration process is super easy to complete and takes a maximum of 2 minutes. It consists of a short form where you as a new player must fill in information about yourself, so that the gaming company can verify your identity.

The form usually consists of the following parts:

  • First and last name
  • Date of birth
  • Social security number
  • Residential address
  • Phone number
  • Email address

Once you have filled in all the required information, you can choose a desired password that you want to use to log in to the site. And now you're done!

Payment methods

When the registration is now complete, you can choose to either look around on the selected old site, or make your first deposit to start playing.

We always recommend that you check if the gambling site in question has a bonus code for you to take part in, because then it is high time to use it. You will find all the bonus codes that we hand out to our players on the 'Promo codes' page.

But if we return to the payment methods. There are a variety of payment methods to choose from when you sign up for an Iowa online gambling site. Because we only list licensed gaming companies, we know for sure that their payment methods are secure.

You can therefore choose completely freely among those offered, and then make your first deposit with them!

Below you will find a selection of the payment methods for deposits available on online gambling sites in Iowa.

  • Online Banking - Instant
  • PayPal - Instant
  • Debit Cards (VISA/Electron/Maestro/Mastercard) - Instant
  • Credit Cards (VISA/Mastercard) - Instant

Is Online Gambling Legal in Iowa?

Yes, some gambling is legal in Iowa. This is because sports betting online is available and legalized in the state. When it comes to casino games, such as slots and poker, Iowa residents will have to wait a while longer.

Can I place bets online in Iowa?

Is Online Gambling Legal In Iowa

Yes, because online sports betting in Iowa is legal, you can place bets on your favorite teams in the state.

Which poker rooms are the best in Iowa?

There are a total of 9 poker rooms in Iowa, which offer top-class poker games. You as a resident can find our list of which poker rooms are the best in 2021 higher up on the site.

When can online casinos be launched in Iowa?

It's incredibly difficult for us to say when online casinos in Iowa may be legalized. Since there is no bill on the table yet, we estimate that it will take at least a year before we can see online casinos in the state. Until then, there are several social and sweepstakes casinos to play at in Iowa.

Can I use PayPal at online casinos in Iowa?

Because online gambling in Iowa is not yet legal, it is difficult for us to say if you may be able to use PayPal at online casinos in Iowa. On the other hand, it seems relevant if we compare the states where online gambling is legal, so the opportunities for these look good.

Home » US Poker Laws – State by State Reviews » Iowa Poker Laws & Online Gambling Legislation

By
April 30th, 2018 Last updated on November 2nd, 2020
Iowa Poker Laws & Online Gambling Legislation
Last Updated November 2, 2020

Iowa is a state which, like the majority of states in the US, has a healthy population of online poker players. Unlike some other states, Iowa could also play play a pivotal role in the regulation of online poker in the US.

Iowa law with regards to gambling is somewhat unique. Gambling not directly approved by the state is likely illegal, but the severity of the charge is directly related to how much money is involved in the activity. In short, the bigger the game, the worse the crime (assuming the game is, in fact, illegal).

We’re going to walk through the picture of gambling in Iowa, with a focus on online poker and the law, regulation, and culture of the state of Iowa. Read on for that and more in our Guide to Online Poker in Iowa.

Legal Gambling & Poker Laws in Iowa Summarized

Type/CodeSummary
State Code Section(s)III.99A-G; XVI.725.5-19
Legal DefinitionsGambling: Any activity where a person risks something of value or other consideration for a chance to win a prize.

Game of chance: a game whereby the result is determined by chance and the player in order to win completes activities, such as aligning objects or balls in a prescribed pattern or order or makes certain color patterns appear; specifically includes but is not limited to bingo.

Game of skill: a game whereby the result is determined by the player’s ability to do a task, such as directing or throwing objects to designated areas or targets, or by maneuvering water or an object into a designated area, or by maneuvering a dragline device to pick up particular items, or by shooting a gun or rifle.

Legal social gambling: A person shall not receive or have any fixed or contingent right to receive, directly or indirectly, any amount wagered or bet or any portion of amounts wagered or bet, except an amount which the person wins as a participant while playing on the same basis as every other participant.

Online Poker/GamblingThere were online poker and casino games bills presented to lawmakers in 2012 and 2013, the first in 2012 winning a Senate vote but not prompting a House vote. The 2014 CEO of the Iowa Gaming Association planned to watch other states that legalized internet games before moving another bill but has yet to do so.
Live PokerThere are live poker rooms in riverboat casinos and those in Native American-run casinos, as well as at some racetracks converted to racinos.
CasinosRiverboat casinos were legalized in 1991, and three Indian tribes were allowed to build their own casinos per the 1988 federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Racetracks were also permitted to install slot machines and table games in order to compete with other gambling facilities.
Sports BettingA bill is under consideration to allow sports betting in currently-established casinos, but it did not come up for a vote in 2018.
DFSA 2017 bill to legalize daily fantasy sports carried into 2018 but never made enough progress to be considered for a vote.
Other Forms of GamblingHorse and dog racing, pari-mutuel betting, bingo, raffles not exceeding $200, social gambling not exceeding $200, charitable gambling.

Online Poker in Iowa

The importance of playing at a legal and regulated site is obvious – players want assurances that rules are in place that promote fair games and ensure the security of player funds. That’s just one of the reasons why all of our top poker sites in IA hold valid licenses in their operating country – along with the best welcome bonuses and most generous VIP programs:

Poker Sites Open to Players From Your State
Bovada$500 Bonus3-4 Day PayoutsAccepts Visa, Bitcoin, Wires
Ignition$2000 Bonus3-4 Day PayoutsAccepts Visa, Bitcoin, Wires

Can Poker Players From Iowa Play Online?

Playing online poker – cash games and tournaments – is a relatively easy feat for players from Iowa. With all of the major poker networks willing to accept Iowan players, your toughest task will be choosing among them. There are some regions of the US that face restrictions when it comes to playing online poker for real money – New York, for one – but poker players in Iowa have a pretty clear path to the virtual tables. Please read our real money poker page for details on how to play poker in Iowa for money.

Iowa Gambling Laws – What’s Legal?

With no direct mention of online gambling or poker, those who want to know if playing poker online violates Iowa law are left to interpret Iowa law for themselves. You can review the entire Iowa code at the state website . Here are a few aspects of the law that seem especially relevant to online poker players:

  1. Iowa law contains a sweeping prohibition against apparently all types of gambling. Section 725.7(1a) makes it a crime to “Participate in a game for any sum of money or other property of any value,”with the obvious exceptions for regulated gambling.”
  2. The same section (725.7(1b)) makes it a crime to “make any bet.” This would seem to render any distinction between games of skill and games of chance moot.
  3. As mentioned above, the size of the game dictates the severity of the charge. Section 725.7(2) lays out the thresholds for the “sum of money or value of other property involved,” with bumps at $100, $500 and $5000.
  4. Charges run up to the felony level at the top for both players and operators.
  5. Iowa law allows the government to seize all money involved in an illegal gambling activity – including money or property wagered in the course of the activity and money or property simply connected to the activity (Section 725.8).

Given the potentially harsh penalties players can incur under Iowa gambling law, it’s imperative to consult with a lawyer if you have any questions whatsoever about a given activity. We’re not able to provide legal advice – the above is only a summary, not an analysis, of some key components of online gambling in Iowa.

Will Iowa Legalize Online Poker?

Iowa might not be the first state that springs to mind when you think of legal online poker, but the state has actually been more active than most when it comes to legislation to regulate online poker. The state has failed to advance bills in the past and is currently studying the issue, but many believe that a bill could quickly arise and pass if other states start moving rapidly to embrace IA online poker regulation. In short, if you live in Iowa your chances of seeing state-regulated online poker are a good deal better than average.

Iowa Gambling Facts

Iowans no doubt engaged in quite a bit of gambling during the frontier days, as did many of the states in what was then the Western United States. For much of the last century, however, Iowa sat on the sidelines when it came to gambling expansion; it wasn’t until; 1983 that pari-mutuel betting got the official go-ahead, and Iowa actually introduced the lottery (in 1985) only four short years before approving riverboat gambling (in 1989).

Regulated Gambling Options in Iowa

Iowa is one of the few states in the US that offers the complete suite of the big five regulated gambling options: Lottery, pari-mutuel, commercial casinos, tribal gambling and charitable gambling. That doesn’t mean gamblers in Iowa have more choices by pure volume than someone on the Las Vegas strip, but it does mean there’s a broader selection than would be found in the average US state.

Does Iowa Offer any Regulated Online Gambling?

While Iowa is at a more advanced stage of regulating online gambling than most other US states, they are still a few critical steps away from actually offered a state-regulated online gambling product. For now, at least, Iowans will have to make do with online poker rooms regulated by other states.

All Poker and Gambling Laws by State

  • The Powerball jackpot on Wednesday, February 22 will be the 10th-largest in the multistate lottery’s history. The jackpot for the Wednesday night drawing now sits at $403 million. Five of the ten biggest Powerball jackpots have happened since the beginning of 2016. That is no coincidence. In October 2015, the

    Read Full
  • British bookmakers have adjusted their betting odds on whether Donald Trump will win the Republican Party’s nomination for president. In the newly published odds at Ladbrokes, Donald Trump is now even-money to win the nomination. A person can bet $10 to receive $10, plus their initial stake. Ladrokes also has

    Read Full
  • An audit of Pentagon purchases has found that Defense Department employees have used US government credit cards for gambling and “adult entertainment”, according to a news report in Politico. The Pentagon Inspector General called for the audit, which uncovered a significant amount of federal money was used for gambling activities.

    Read Full
  • Real-money daily fantasy sports is one step closer to being legal in Iowa after the State Senate approved a bill on Wednesday. The upper house of the Iowa legislature voted 32-16 on Senate File 166, which would legalize DFS gambling in the state. Currently, 45 U.S. states have legal and

    Read Full
Online

Iowa Gambling Resources

Iowa Sports Betting Law

Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission . The central location for official information regarding the Iowa gambling industry, regulation, licenses and more. In addition to providing access to statistics regarding gaming revenue, you can also view relevant laws and the statutes dictating commission activity.

Report on Iowa Online Poker Regulation. Commissioned by the state and conducted by the IRGC, this report takes a hard look at how state-regulated online poker would work in Iowa, and what the possible impacts would be on residents, revenue and land-based gambling.

History of Gambling in Iowa . A handy timeline of key events in the state’s relationship with regulated gambling. Provides quick snapshot of gambling expansion in Iowa, with links to additional information.

Can You Gamble Online In Iowa

Sources & Citations For This Article on Iowa Online Poker