Does Iowa Allow Online Sports Betting?

Since the federal ban on sports betting was lifted in 2018, many US states have legalized real money wagering on sports events. The move was mostly popular among US citizens, a large number of whom were already betting regularly on live sports through the use of offshore betting sites. Now that the country has legal, American-owned sportsbooks, it means greater tax revenue for local governments and greater safety for US bettors.

As well as allowing for retails sportsbooks, many states have also legalized online betting sites, meaning it’s possible to sign up and bet on a computer or mobile device. Online betting is far more convenient while also offering more options. Thanks to the change in law, lots of online sportsbooks have now launched across the US, offering bonuses as well as competitive odds.

Iowa is one of the many US states that approved online betting, passing a new law in 2019 to govern and regulate the betting market in IA.

Iowa Betting Rules

Although online and in-person betting has been legalized in Iowa, there are still rules on how you can bet. When sports betting first launched, bettors had to initially visit an in-person casino or retail sportsbook to sign up. This was done for security reasons, although the requirement is no longer necessary. As of 2021, it’s possible to sign up to an Iowa sportsbook online without leaving your house.

In order to place a bet online at an Iowan sportsbook, you need to create an account, deposit money and then choose your bet. Provided you’re at least 21 years old and are within the state lines, you can place a bet on just about any sport. However, there are some restrictions. College sports betting is allowed, but only on spread and moneyline, not on proposition bets.

In addition to these rules, other Iowa betting restrictions include the fact that you can’t use a credit card to make a deposit, plus betting on award shows or reality shows is also not permitted. Bettors are able to make use of Iowa sports betting bonuses and other great offers at licensed betting sites available in the state.

Legal Online Betting Sites in Iowa

In August of this year, Iowa became the first state to offer online sports betting. In addition, collaborations between Iowa casinos and sportsbooks have generated an ever-increasing number of apps. You can register your account without going to a casino and complete the entire account sign-up process from the comfort of your own home or from anywhere in Iowa.

Top betting sites available in the state include:

• Betfred Sports
• BetMGM
• BetRivers
• DraftKings
• Elite Sportsbook
• FanDuel
• Hard Rock Sportsbook
• PointsBet
• William Hill

Each of these sites offers a different experience, but all of them have plenty of sporting events ready for you to bet on. One of the most important aspects that bettors should look out for when choosing a sportsbook is the kind of odds it offers. If you like to bet on football, for example, you should look for a site that offers great odds on football. You can compare odds between different sites, making sure you sign up to a site that offers the best deals.

Bettors should make sure that any sportsbook they sign up to is licensed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. This organization is in charge of regulating the legal sports betting industry in IA and provides licenses to approved sites. Without a license, a site cannot legally accept bettors from Iowa, and betting there may be unsafe. Looking for the license ensures that the site is safe and above board and ensures you’re not at risk of scams.