Iowa Online Gambling
The Iowa online gambling landscape reflects the state’s deliberate and selective approach to legal wagering.
State law expressly authorizes online sports betting, daily fantasy sports, and pari-mutuel horse racing wagering but prohibits online casinos and poker sites.
Conversely, Iowa gambling laws prohibit online casinos and poker sites. Sweepstakes casinos serve as an alternative option, although they operate in a legal gray area.
Continue below for a complete overview of legal Iowa online gambling options, key rules gamblers need to know, responsible gambling resources, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Legal Iowa Gambling Sites
21+ and present in IA. T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS-OFF.
Iowa Online Gambling Overview
| Type of Gambling (minimum age) | Legal Status | Notes |
| Online Casinos (n/a) | Illegal | Prohibited under IA Code § 725.7 |
| Sweepstakes Casinos (18+) | Gray Area | Operates under US sweepstakes law; not explicitly authorized or prohibited in IA |
| Online Poker (n/a) | Illegal | Treated the same as online casinos under IA Code § 725.7 |
| Online Sports Betting (21+) | Legal/Regulated | Authorized under IA Code Ch. 99F |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (21+) | Legal/Regulated | Authorized under IA Code Ch. 99E |
| Fantasy Pick ’em Contests (n/a) | Illegal | Not on IRGC Approved Fantasy Sports Contests list; IA licensees do not offer pick ’em in-state. |
| Online Lottery Sales (n/a) | Illegal | Iowa Lottery does not offer online sales; ticket couriers like Jackpocket prohibited |
| Online Horse Racing (21+) | Legal/Regulated | Authorized under IA Code Ch. 99D |
Iowa Online Casinos
Online casinos are illegal in Iowa.
Iowa’s criminal code prohibits any form of gambling that the state has not expressly legalized and regulated.
Additionally, Iowa is one of a few states with laws that target players for participating in online gambling, although enforcement has historically targeted operators rather than players.
IA Code § 725.7 broadly makes it a crime to “participate in a game for any sum of money or other property of any value,” unless specifically permitted under state law. In other words, it’s legal to use licensed online sportsbooks but illegal to use unlicensed offshore gambling sites.
Legalization Outlook
There is little to no legislative momentum to legalize online casinos in Iowa. The state’s approach to gambling expansion has been one of specific, limited authorizations rather than broad approval.
Iowa’s 2019 gambling expansion bill, SF 617, focused exclusively on legalizing sports betting and daily fantasy sports. The deliberate exclusion of online casinos and poker sites signaled that lawmakers were not prepared to consider legalizing those activities at the time.
Bills to legalize online casinos in Iowa surface periodically but have consistently stalled. In 2023, Representative Bobby Kaufmann introduced HSB 227 to legalize online casinos in Iowa, but the bill stalled in committee due to time constraints and opposition.
Currently, the short-term outlook for legalization appears poor.
Sweepstakes Casinos in Iowa
Online sweepstakes casinos operate in a legal gray area in Iowa.
The absence of legal online casinos in Iowa has prompted the rise of sweepstakes gambling sites that serve as a close alternative. Nearly all mainstream sweepstakes casinos are available in Iowa, including:
Sweepstakes casinos leverage state and federal sweepstakes laws to offer casino-style games while avoiding classification as online gambling in Iowa. More specifically, sweepstakes casinos allow players to compete for prizes with “no purchase necessary,” which distinguishes them from illegal gambling by removing the element of consideration (risking something of value).
Regulators in many states have stepped up scrutiny of sweepstakes casinos, but Iowa provides an unusually strong legal foundation for this mode. IA Code § 725.12(4) states:
Consideration is “not deemed to have been paid or furnished where all or substantially all entries representing chances to win are submitted by means of the internet or the United States mail” without a purchase requirement.
However, players should keep in mind that Iowa does not regulate sweepstakes casinos, so consumer protection largely depends on each operator’s internal policies. Therefore, the best bet is to use established sweepstakes casinos with favorable customer reviews.
Looming Regulatory Threats
Despite the favorable statutory language, the future of sweepstakes casinos in Iowa is not without uncertainty.
In August 2025, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general in a letter urging the US Department of Justice to intensify enforcement actions against “illegal offshore gaming”. The letter criticizes unregulated online operators for lacking consumer protections and evading state laws.
Although the letter’s primary target is illegal offshore casinos, the aggressive posture against all forms of unregulated online gambling could portend a shift in enforcement priorities in states like Iowa.
Regulators in other states have successfully challenged sweepstakes casinos whose products closely resemble traditional gambling. Iowa may have permissive sweepstakes laws, but if the state’s chief law enforcement official has adopted a hostile stance toward unregulated online gambling, it could prompt legislative changes or a more aggressive interpretation of existing laws.
Iowa Online Poker
Online poker for real money is illegal in Iowa.
The same broad prohibitions against unauthorized “gaming and betting” that outlaw online casinos also apply to online poker sites.
Iowa lawmakers have considered legalizing online poker, but support for such an effort has dwindled in recent years. Other than Rep. Kaufmann’s 2023 bill (HSB 227), which would have authorized online poker alongside online casino games, the last noteworthy movement occurred in 2012.
That year, the Iowa Senate passed SB 3164, which aimed to legalize online poker specifically. However, the bill made no progress in the House.
Today, there’s little indication that Iowa will legalize online poker in the near future.
Iowa Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting is legal and regulated in Iowa.
Governor Kim Reynolds signed SF 617 into law on May 13th, 2019, to legalize retail sportsbooks and online sports betting in Iowa. The first Iowa betting apps launched that August.
Lawmakers deliberately crafted the law to foster a competitive market by implementing low tax rates and a high number of licenses. As a result, Iowa has more online sportsbooks than most states.
Some of Iowa’s most successful online sportsbooks include:
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- ESPN Bet
Legal and Regulatory Framework
Online sports betting is governed by Iowa Code Chapter 99F and regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC). Key provisions include:
- Tax Rate: Sports wagering net receipts are taxed at a rate of 6.75%, one of the lowest in the country.
- Licenses: Each of Iowa’s licensed casinos is permitted to partner with up to three individual online sports betting brands, or “skins.”
- Registration: An initial requirement for in-person registration at a casino expired on January 1st, 2021. Since then, bettors have been able to register, deposit, and wager entirely online from anywhere in Iowa.
Key Rules and Restrictions for Bettors
- Minimum Age: Participants must be 21 or older.
- Geolocation: Customers may place wagers from anywhere within Iowa’s borders. Residency is not necessary.
- Prohibited Funding Methods: Bettors may not fund their online betting accounts with credit cards. Other standard methods like debit cards, ACH bank transfers, and PayPal are permitted.
- College Sports Betting: Wagering is permitted on both professional and college sporting events, including those involving Iowa-based teams like the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones. However, Iowa Code § 99F.1 specifically prohibits proposition wagers on the performance or nonperformance of any individual college athlete.
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Daily Fantasy Sports in Iowa
Daily fantasy sports sites are legal and regulated in Iowa.
Two DFS apps are licensed to offer paid fantasy contests:
- FanDuel
- DraftKings
Iowa legalized daily fantasy sports in 2019 via SF 617, the same bill that legalized online sports betting, and assigned oversight duties to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC).
Although Iowa’s DFS tax rate and licensing fees are minimal, the extensive licensing process and ongoing compliance costs are significant.
For example, operators must undergo extensive software testing and certification to ensure compliance with state-specific rules related to geolocation, player protection, and fair play. In 2019, delays in FanDuel and DraftKings launching for Iowa customers were a direct result of the burdensome certification process.
Key Iowa DFS Rules
- Minimum Age: 21+ to play
- Permitted Contest Types: The IRGC approves DFS contest types, and operators may only offer games on the approved list. Common formats like guaranteed prize pool tournaments (GPPs), 50/50s, head-to-head, snake draft, etc, are permitted; fantasy pick ’em is restricted
- Consumer Protection: Licensed Iowa DFS apps must keep players’ funds in accounts segregated from operating funds, honor withdrawals promptly, promote responsible gambling, and offer voluntary self-exclusion tools.
- Contest Integrity: Operators must prevent employees and their family members from participating in contests hosted on their own platforms; prevent athletes, coaches, and other officials from participating in contests based upon sports they can influence; publish the maximum number of entries any individual may submit into each contest, and ensure customers do not exceed that limit.
- Responsible Gambling: Licensed fantasy sports apps must publish information about problem gambling resources on their platforms, provide methods for players to set voluntary deposit/time limits and self-exclude.
Fantasy Pick ’em Contests in Iowa
Daily fantasy pick ’em contests are de facto illegal in Iowa.
Iowa’s prohibition of pick’em-style contests is not the result of a specific statutory ban; it’s the result of the state’s permission-based regulatory model for fantasy sports.
Under IAC 491-14.9(99E), the IRGC maintains a definitive list of approved fantasy contest formats. Any operator wishing to offer a new contest type must first submit it to the IRGC for investigation and approval.
Player-vs-house pick ’em games, where users predict “more” or “less” on individual player statistics for fixed payouts, are not on the IRGC’s Approved Fantasy Sports Contest list (viewable here).
Neither of Iowa’s two licensed DFS operators (FanDuel and DraftKings) offers pick’em-style contests in Iowa.
Iowa Online Lottery
Online lottery sales are illegal in Iowa.
The Iowa Lottery does not offer online ticket sales, so the only way to buy tickets to draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions is to visit an authorized retailer in person.
Under IA Code § 99G.30(4), authorized retailers “shall only sell lottery products on the licensed premises and not through the mail or by technological means except as the [Department of Revenue] may provide or authorize.”
The statute’s language seemingly provides the Department of Revenue with the authority to authorize online sales, but the Department takes a hostile stance against the sale of lottery tickets online.
For one, the official Iowa Lottery website plainly states that “tickets cannot be purchased on the Internet.”
Additionally, the Department opposes third-party lottery ticket couriers. In 2024, it asked lawmakers to pass legislation to explicitly ban ticket couriers. Lawmakers considered several measures that year (SF 2427, HF 2710, and HSB 723) with language prohibiting lottery courier apps.
Although state law does not explicitly prohibit lottery couriers, reputable lottery couriers like Jackpocket and TheLotter voluntarily refrain from serving the Iowa market.
Online Horse Racing Betting in Iowa
Advance deposit wagering (online horse racing betting) is legal and regulated in Iowa.
IA Code Ch. 99D governs online horse racing betting in Iowa and grants regulatory powers to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC).
The IRGC issues licenses to advanced deposit wagering operators (ADWs) that wish to accept wagers from Iowa residents. Licensed ADWs available in Iowa include:
Under state law, licensed ADWs must:
- Identify every new customer’s age and identity
- Keep detailed records of all transactions
- Comply with reporting, integrity, and consumer protection requirements
Unlike most states, where fans must be 18+ to bet on horse races, Iowa law limits wagering to individuals 21+.
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Iowa Electronic Markets
The Iowa Electronic Markets (IEM) is an online futures trading market that allows participants to wager on the outcomes of upcoming events. The IEM operates somewhat like a betting site, but instead of betting against the house, players trade contracts with one another that expire at either $1 or $0, depending on the outcome of the future event.
For example, players trading contracts on the outcome of the next Presidential election may buy and sell contracts for a Republican win or contracts for a Democrat win. If users generally see both candidates as evenly matched, contracts for each would be traded back and forth at around $0.50 each.
After the election, the contracts for the winning candidate would be valued at $1.00, while contracts for the losing candidate would expire worthless. Thus, as one candidate looks increasingly likely to win the presidency, shares for that candidate rise in value based on market demand. The inverse happens to shares for the candidate that appears to be losing.
IEM was established in 1988 by the University of Iowa as a research and education tool for students and faculty but accepts customers from around the world.
Iowa Gambling Regulators
- Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC):Iowa’s primary gambling regulator. Its responsibilities include licensing casinos, racetracks, sports betting operators, DFS providers, and ADWs. The commission also promulgates regulations, ensures licensee compliance, and oversees the collection of gambling taxes and fees.
- Iowa Lottery Commission: Runs all Iowa Lottery operations; five-member panel appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate.
- Special Enforcement Operations Bureau: Operates under the Division of Criminal Investigation and employs 57 Special Agents who have offices located directly inside each of the state’s licensed casinos. The Bureau conducts background investigations, criminal investigations, and enforcement activities related to casino gambling, pari-mutuel wagering, sports wagering, and daily fantasy sports.
- Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL): Regulates charitable and social gambling, including bingo and raffles, under Iowa Code § 99B.
Responsible Gambling Resources in Iowa
Iowa maintains numerous resources for residents with questions or concerns about problem gambling.
Self-Exclusion Resources
- IRGC Statewide Self-Exclusion Program: Allows individuals to ban themselves from all state-licensed casinos, online sportsbooks, and licensed fantasy sports sites. Enrollment options are for five years or a lifetime. Individuals can enroll by mail or in person at the IRGC office in Des Moines, any Iowa Gambling Treatment Program (IGTP) agency, or any licensed casino or race track.
- Iowa Lottery Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program: A separate program exclusively for Iowa Lottery products. Enrollment prevents individuals from claiming any lottery prize over $600 and removes them from promotional mailings. The exclusion is for five years or a lifetime.
Responsible Gambling Organizations
- National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): Provides a national helpline and additional resources for those seeking help. Call 1-800-GAMBLER 24/7 for confidential support.
- Your Life Iowa: Problem gambling information, treatment referrals, support groups for problem gamblers and their loved ones, and confidential support via phone (1-800-BETS-OFF or 855-581-8111), text (855-895-8398), and live chat online.
- Gamblers Anonymous: A fellowship that holds regular meetings across Iowa, including in cities like Sioux City and Davenport. It provides a peer-support environment for individuals seeking to recover from a gambling problem.