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Best Iowa sportsbooks 2023

Rank
Sportsbook
Bonus
Features
Play
1
UP TO $1,000
In Bonus Bets at Bet365
Top Features
First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000, or 
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS-OFF 21+
Use Bonus Code: LSRIOWA
New Users Get up to $1,000 Bonus at Bet365
2
UP TO $1,500
In Bonus Bets
Top Features
$1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets
Free Live Streaming – Watch Live Games 
Use Bonus Code: PLAYLSR
Get Up to $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets
3
Up to $250
Bonus Bet with First Wager
Top Features
Up to $250 Bonus Bet with 1st Wager
Get Betway Boosts & Enhanced Odds
To Claim: Click Play Now
Claim your $250 Bonus Bet at Betway Sportsbook!
4
Bet $5
Get $150
In Bonus Bets
Top Features
Up to $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Team Wins
Available on Desktop, Android & iOS
To Claim: Click Play Now
New Players get up to $150 in Bonus Bets at FanDuel Sportsbook
5
UP TO $105
On Fred
Top Features
No Sweat Bet, up to $105, if Your First Wager Loses
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS-OFF
Use Promo Code: LSRBONUS
Get up to $105 Bonus at Betfred Sportsbook!
6
$1,000 FIRST BET
On Caesars
Top Features
Up to $1,000 Bonus Bet if Your Bet Loses
Stream NFL Games In-App for Free
21+ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Use Promo Code: LSR1000
Get up to $1,000 at Caesars Sportsbook
7
$100 BONUS
2nd Chance Bet
Top Features
Up To $100 in Bet Credits
ONLY 1x Play Through!
Use Exclusive Bonus Code: LSRRIV
Get Up to $100 Bonus At BetRivers Sportsbook!

Contents


Iowa Sportsbook Promos Today

NFL JAGUARS VS. BROWNS
Cooper Over 59.5 Receiving Yards & TD
+525
BET NOW
NHL PANTHERS VS. BLUE JACKETS
Barkov Scores Goal & Records Assist
+350
BET NOW
NFL PACKERS VS. GIANTS
Doubs & Reed Each Score TD
+950
BET NOW
NHL CAPITALS, JETS, WILD
Capitals, Jets, Wild All Over 3.5 Total Goals
+800
BET NOW
NFL FEED THE KING
Henry Over 69.5 Rush Yards & TD
+375
BET NOW
NHL KINGS VS. RANGERS
Zibanejad Scores Goal & Records Assist
+600
BET NOW
NFL CANT TEACH SPEED BOOST
Achane & Mostert Each Score TD
+400
BET NOW
NHL DEVILS VS. OILERS
Hyman Scores Goal & Records Assist
+400
BET NOW
NFL TITANS VS. DOLPHINS
Tagovailoa Over 299.5 Pass Yards & Over 2.5 Pass TDs
+325
BET NOW
NHL WILD VS. KRAKEN
Kraken Wins 4-1
+2200
BET NOW
NFL EAGLES
Hurts Over 39.5 Rush Yards & Rush TD
+170
BET NOW
NHL SHARKS VS. GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Eichel Scores Goal & Records Assist
+275
BET NOW
NFL EAGLES VS. COWBOYS
Lamb Over 109.5 Receiving Yards & TD
+300
BET NOW
NHL CAPITALS VS. BLACKHAWKS
Capitals Win 4-2
+2000
BET NOW
NFL THE DAK KNIGHT
Prescott Over 299.5 Pass Yards & Over 2.5 Pass TDs
+275
BET NOW
NHL JETS VS. DUCKS
Ducks Win 4-1
+3000
BET NOW
NFL JETS WIN, ZACH WILSON PASS YARDS
Jets Win & Wilson Over 199.5 Pass Yards
+500
BET NOW
NHL SUNDAY BOOST
Rangers, Predators, Blackhawks, Jets All Win
+1000
BET NOW
NFL WHO DAT BOOST
Carr Over 249.5 Pass Yards & Over 1.5 Pass TDs
+425
BET NOW
NHL JETS VS. DUCKS, WILD VS. KRAKEN, SHARKS VS. GOLDEN KNIGHTS
No Goal in First 10 Minutes
+1000
BET NOW

DISCLAIMER

Legal Sports Report does not promote or endorse any form of wagering or gambling to users under the age of 21. This site encourages responsible gambling and provides advice for anyone who believes they, or someone they know, may have a gambling addiction.

What’s happening in Iowa sports betting right now

Comparing top Iowa sports betting apps

With the variety of sports betting options in Iowa, set your sights on the books with the most features you want. Here’s a list of the best online sportsbooks in Iowa in some key areas:

1. Bet365 Iowa

One of the top sportsbooks in Europe, Bet365 is growing in popularity in North America. The Bet365 app offers an extensive menu of betting options, live wagering features, and regular promos. Bettors can also edit bets, personalize their display, and stream events from the app. The app has received fairly unfavorable reviews from Android users, however.

2. BetMGM Iowa

BetMGM offers bets on sports you likely won’t find at many other books, such as snooker or surfing. If you’re looking to bet on a sport that attracts a decent amount of interest, there’s a good chance you’ll find it here. The website layout could be more efficient, but the app experience is generally solid. The “Edit my Bet” feature is a favorite of users.

3. Betway Iowa

Already a top sportsbook overseas, Betway is entering more North American markets with its easy-to-use app that offers competitive odds and good live-betting options. Betway also gives users a cash-out option on live events, allowing streaming of some games. Some customers, however, complain of sessions that expire too quickly, requiring repeated sign-ins by users.

4. FanDuel Iowa

FanDuel offers one of the better web and mobile experiences for any sportsbook. The app lays everything out in a clear fashion, and the site makes improvements where necessary. For instance, it overhauled its prop bets to be more user-friendly and intuitive. While there are many good features, FanDuel could improve by adding more regular promos.

5. Betfred Iowa

Betfred is a relatively new sportsbook to the US, but it has decades of experience in Europe. It offers competitive odds along with a sleek and aesthetically pleasing display. One of the few dings on Betfred is its banking options, which are still a bit anemic compared to the choices US bettors typically have elsewhere.

6. Caesars Iowa

Caesars regularly dishes out promos to existing customers, while the odds are typically competitive up and down the menu. On the downside, the sportsbook app can sometimes lag, and some users have expressed frustration with customer service wait times. Caesars also offers one of the top loyalty programs in the industry, Caesars Rewards.

7. BetRivers Iowa

BetRivers has snagged a decent amount of market share in Iowa. While its online sportsbook could be better and more efficiently organized, it still offers a variety of solid features. The menu of sports on which you can bet is large, and the book has a good layout for props and alternate lines, along with one of sports betting’s best rewards programs, iRush Rewards.

How to get started with the best Iowa sportsbook bonuses

Most Iowa sportsbooks provide competitive sign-up bonuses and online sports betting promotions. Before signing up, look for the incentives that are best for you. Here are some of the top sportsbook welcome bonuses in Iowa and the codes to access them:

  1. Bet365 bonus code: Use the code LSRIOWA; bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets.
  2. BetMGM bonus code: Use the code PLAYLSR to get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if you don’t win.
  3. Betway promo code: Get a bonus bet for up to $250 with your first wager. No code necessary, click to claim.
  4. FanDuel promo code: Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets. No code necessary, click to claim.
  5. Betfred bonus code: Use the code LSRBONUS. No Sweat Bet, up to $105 if your first wager loses.
  6. Caesars promo code: Use the code LEGAL1000. $1,000 First Bet on Caesars.
  7. BetRivers bonus code: Use the code LSRRIV to receive a second-chance bet for up to $100 if your first bet loses.

Before claiming any bonuses, understand how they work and what you need to do. Here are some of the typical ones you’ll come across:

The registration process will typically be simple as you follow the prompts and enter the necessary information. The sportsbook will then verify your details. If it has trouble doing so, you must provide additional documentation. Barring that, you can be ready to bet at a legal Iowa sportsbook in minutes.

New Iowa sports betting apps

DRF Sports became the 18th online sportsbook in Iowa in January 2022. That came on the tail of a busy fourth quarter of 2021 that saw Betway, Barstool, and Circa make their official debuts in the Hawkeye State.

Following a couple of sportsbooks exiting the state (theScore Bet and Unibet), Tipico Sportsbook, ClutchBet, and Bet365 joined the fold, bringing the number of Iowa sportsbooks back to 19.

In July 2023, Elite Sportsbook stopped taking bets in Iowa and merged with Betfred, and Bally Bet paused operations temporarily to bring the total legal sportsbooks in Iowa back down to 17.

ESPN Bet took over Barstool’s spot in November 2023, and Fanatics has already begun to take over from PointsBet and should launch completely in the state in the coming weeks.

Full list of Iowa sports betting apps

Since opening in 2019, the Iowa sports betting market has quickly become crowded. Here are the 17 online sportsbooks currently available in the state as of December 2023:

10 quick facts about Iowa sports betting

  1. Iowa legalized sports betting in 2019.
  2. The online and retail launch happened simultaneously in August 2019.
  3. Initially, to bet online, you had to complete the registration process in person, but that requirement expired at the start of 2021.
  4. Iowa recorded more than $2 billion in total bets in 2021.
  5. Iowa is one of the few states where sports betting is legal without a major pro sports team.
  6. Betting is legal on both pro and college sports.
  7. Iowa does not allow wagering on high school sports or entertainment-related events.
  8. To legally bet on sports in Iowa, you must be 21 or older.
  9. You don’t have to be a resident but must be within state lines when placing bets.
  10. It’s illegal for those with a close affiliation with leagues or teams to wager on their sports.

What to expect at a legal Iowa sports betting site

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is the regulatory body for sports betting in the state, covering licensing and regulation for the sportsbooks while also aiming to ensure safety for sports bettors. This means every app authorized to accept wagers in Iowa undergoes testing and review for fairness and security before launching in the state.

Bettors across the state can now wager legally and safely at their leisure. And, with the in-person registration requirement expiring in 2021, the convenience of signing up at one of the sites and placing a bet from anywhere within the state is likely one of the reasons the market continues to grow.

Iowa sports betting law and regulations

Efforts to legalize sports betting in Iowa began in earnest in 2018, but the year would come and go without resolution. However, that changed quickly the following year, with Gov. Kim Reynolds signing sports betting into law in May 2019.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission helped to push things through for a successful online and retail launch in August. You initially needed to complete your registration in person to wager online, but that rule expired on Jan. 1, 2021.

The law permitted online sportsbooks to open for business, provided they partnered with one of the state’s land-based casinos. The law also set one of the lower tax rates and licensing fees for betting among legal states. Here are some of the other main points of Iowa sports betting law:

While no major pro sports teams make their home in Iowa, the state is surrounded by nearby Midwestern teams. Loyalties are pretty scattered as a result, but the good news is there are plenty of options for rooting interest in each of the major sports:

College football and basketball are also very popular, with the University of Iowa and Iowa State having the biggest following. You can bet on those programs and potentially a couple of other smaller schools in the state without issue. Iowa doesn’t allow prop bets on college athletes, however.

Other top attractions at legal sportsbooks include soccer, tennis, and UFC. There are also bets on various international sports and those with a niche following, such as darts and table tennis.

When it’s time for the Super Bowl, you’ll find props on a few ancillary events like the coin toss, but sports betting is technically restricted to actual sporting events. As such, you won’t be able to bet on things like the Academy Awards or election results.

Iowa sports betting history

The wheels were in motion in 2018 to legalize sports betting in Iowa pending a change at the federal level. Despite that happening, the year ended without the state taking action.

The debate carried over into 2019. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed off on legal sports betting in May. The goal was for sportsbooks to be live before the NFL and college football seasons.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission helped to expedite the process, and retail and online betting launched in August. Here are some of the key yearly events from before and after legalization.

Iowa sports betting FAQ

Is online sports betting legal in Iowa?

Yes, Iowa legalized online sports betting in 2019. The online and in-person launches took place in August 2019. Caesars Sportsbook was the first to launch in the state.

Where can I bet on sports in Iowa?

Iowa has 18 legal and regulated online sportsbooks to choose from as of mid-2023. Retail sportsbooks are available at many of the state’s casinos, too:

Is Bovada legal in Iowa?iowa racing and gaming commission logo

No, Bovada has no license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Offshore sportsbooks like Bovada may advertise themselves as legal, but the reality is different. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission website has a list of licensed providers. If a site doesn’t have the IRGC stamp of approval, it’s not worth taking the risk to bet there.

What’s the legal sports betting age in Iowa?

The minimum legal sports betting age in Iowa is 21. Sportsbooks will verify your identity and age as part of the online registration process. You’ll need to provide supporting documentation if they can’t do so.

Can I bet on horse racing in Iowa?

Yes, it’s legal to bet on horse racing in Iowa. Live racing action is available at Prairie Meadows in Altoona on select dates. The venue also offers simulcasting, as do off-track betting sites at Q Casino and Wild Rose Clinton. Online horse betting at sites like TVG is also legal.

Are daily fantasy sports contests legal in Iowa?

Iowa officially legalized daily fantasy sports contests in 2019 as part of its broader sports betting law. DraftKings and FanDuel operate their DFS sites in the state, and Iowa residents can sign up to play with either.

Can you bet on college sports in Iowa?

It’s legal to bet on both college and pro sports in Iowa. You can also bet on in-state teams such as Iowa and Iowa State. However, the state does not allow prop bets on individual college athletes.

More Iowa sports betting resources