Iowa is full of sports betting options, as it was one of the first states to legalize sports betting after the United States Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on sports betting in 2018.
This update has allowed bettors to take advantage of state-certified bookmakers, which are safer and more reliable than illegal offshore accounts, which do not pay out winnings or protect your personal information.
Retail and online sportsbooks are easy to use in Iowa.
Yes. Sports became legal in Iowa on August 15, 2019, with the passage of HF 2497.
After having to first register at one of Iowa’s licensed casinos to gamble, bettors in the state must register for mobile sports betting since 2021.
You can use one or more online sports books in Iowa. Here’s what to look for when deciding which sports sites or apps to visit first.
With that in mind, let’s dive into the online sportsbooks in Iowa that meet our recommended criteria. All of the following bookmakers get top marks for the aforementioned criteria, so you can’t pass any of them.
DraftKings entered the Iowa sports market with physical sports in 2020 before launching its mobile sports soon after.
DraftKings offers daily odds boosts, futures and side betting markets, a built-in rewards program, and a Parlay Builder tool that makes it simple to combine multiple bets into one.
DraftKings is also the official partner of the UFC if you like to bet on MMA fights.
Like DraftKings, FanDuel was introduced in Iowa in 2020, when bettors still had to register with a physical sports betting site. It is one of the biggest names in North American sports betting thanks to its odds boosts, promotions, and competitive odds.
FanDuel will also offer a generous welcome by offering its sleek and easy-to-use interface, which many bettors consider the most productive in the business. FanDuel’s streamlined app is easy to navigate and helps users temporarily locate the bets they are looking for.
BetMGM entered Iowa in 2021 through a partnership with Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque and offers everything bettors are looking for through its odds boosts, modern app, and extensive betting markets.
BetMGM makes it easy to create your own parlays and parlays in the same game with its “Build Parlay” button below the sporting event. It also has an exclusive “Edit My Bet” feature that allows bettors to adjust eligible bets even after the game has started. .
Under its parent company MGM, BetMGM also offers special promotions for unwavering customers, such as VIP trips to its resorts and casinos.
Iowa has become the ninth state to host Caesars Sportsbook in October 2021, the same year sports launched.
It is known for its impressive diversity of odds increases, offering dozens of things to explore in a variety of sports every day.
Caesars offers a full markets menu and a tempting welcome offer. It also offers a robust rewards program, common promotions for loyal customers, and a “FireBets” feature that makes living quick and easy.
Previously, PointsBet Sportsbook, Fanatics was introduced in Iowa in September 2023 and is one of the newest bookmakers in the market. In addition to its generous welcome offer and increased odds, it customizes the homepage based on your betting history and the betting markets you like.
It also provides one of the most productive reward systems in the industry. Fanatics offers bettors a percentage of the stake on FanCash, which can be used for bonus bets on sports betting or as credits on the Fanatics retail website, where you can purchase merchandise and apparel from your favorite teams.
BetRivers was one of the first truly mobile sportsbooks to honor the Hawkeye State, when it launched on January 1, 2021, without a physical presence.
BetRivers is flashy, but covers the basics and provides a more local feel than the big bookmakers. It also has a strong and unwavering program for unwavering consumers through Rivers Rewards.
Iowa is one of 17 states in which ESPN BET was introduced when it launched in November 2023. Its app offers a sleek betting experience thanks to its modern interface, fast loading times, and easy navigation.
ESPN BET offers a fake welcome offer, exclusive odds boosts, and rewards for existing visitors such as deposits and refunds on bets. It also has visitor service and funny ties with its parent company. Offers promotions and links tailored to ESPN personalities and shows.
We take the time to analyze and study sportsbooks, narrowing down a list of the most productive in the industry. These ratings can help you decide which ones to review first.
Our ratings are based on scores in the following categories:
Below, we’ll detail each category and why it’s vital to your sports betting experience.
A quick and easy way to get an idea of how smart a sportsbook is is to compare user reviews on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Since the scores exceed five stars, a reputable bookmaker with an average score of at least 4 stars is usually needed.
You can also check out users’ quick reviews to get an idea of what other people are saying about the app and if there are any recurring cases or court issues. This can be useful for functions that are difficult to compare until you use the app, such as heist or visitor service.
Many commenters are there to complain, so don’t put too much emphasis on express criticism.
That said, if you notice any common themes in the comments, take them as a warning about any issues you have with the app.
Each state handles sports differently. Some states allow in-person and mobile sportsArray, while others would only allow in-person sports or impose a strict limit on the amount of mobile sports betting allowed.
As a result, sports betting varies by state, as both states will have to approve a sports bet before it can be introduced there. There is no bookmaker in one or both states that offers legal online sports betting, but some have been introduced in most of them.
Generally speaking, the more states a sportsbook is available in, the better. This means it is more likely to be available in your state, a border state, or a state you are likely to go to, making it less difficult and more convenient to use. This way, you can take your sportsbook with you instead of having to sign up for a new one every time you leave your state.
While small “local” sportsbooks provide profit boosts and other bonuses based on local teams, they are typically only available in a handful of states at most, and offer limited availability.
How much cash will a bookmaker give you for signing up?
Most bookmakers offer welcome offers to attract new customers, but you need to know how those offers work. Just because an offering is related to a higher amount does not necessarily mean that it is better.
Some sports sites offer “bet and get” promotions where you get bonus bets (site credit) just for wagering a small amount of cash. For example, you can get $200 in bonus bets just by placing a $5 bet. Get loose money to bet on.
Other sports sites offer “no effort” deals that offer a bonus bet only if you lose your first bet.
For example, if you place a $20 bet after registering and lose, you will get a $20 bonus bet that will be refunded.
These offers tend to impress punters with larger amounts than “bet and get” promotions, going as high as $1,000 or $1,500. However, you’ll only get a bonus bet if you lose your first bet, in which case you’ll want to use the bonus bet you need to place to get your coins back. If your bet wins, you will get your winnings in coins as a general bet, but you won’t get any bonuses.
As a result, “no-sweat” offers aren’t as smart as “bet and get” promotions.
When comparing sports betting, it is most productive to opt for welcome offers with guaranteed bonuses that give you credits on your site no matter what.
The duration of the bonus offered will be important if it is difficult to claim.
The best sports bonus offers are as undeniable to claim as they are generous, being undeniable and straightforward without needing to overcome any hurdles.
The most productive bonuses are guaranteed and arrive immediately in your account as soon as you place your first bet. They will also be easy to meet and possibly won’t require you to tick boxes to get your bonus.
Some sports betting bonus offers require you to place bets or wait days or weeks to release your full bonus. This can be inconvenient, especially if you’re looking to get your full bonus before a major sporting event like the Super Bowl or March Madness.
More complex donations can be overwhelming, so we prefer simplified donations with fewer requirements.
If you gamble and plan to use a sportsbook frequently, a counterfeit rewards program is essential.
Loyalty systems differ between betting houses. Some offer you praise points to bet on, which can then be converted into bonus bets or other praise. Others offer high praise like free trips, hotel stays, tickets to sporting events, and more.
On the other hand, some bookmakers do not offer any rewards. This may not be a big deal for casual bettors, but it can make all the difference for ordinary sports bettors.
It’s like paying for anything with money from a credit card. If you place a bet on a site without a loyalty program, you will lose trouble elsewhere.
While major sports such as football or basketball can only be accessed through classic cable or streaming services, some bookmakers offer the option to stream smaller sports on the app, which is a credit to bettors.
For example, the FanDuel app streams tennis matches, making it less difficult to follow the action and place live bets.
Beyond live streaming, we also take into account the length of the stream, the amount of battery used, and the number of occasions available to stream on the app.
Most bookmakers offer some form of welcome and offer to attract new customers, but where they differ is their promotions for existing customers.
Some bookmakers will offer a number of daily promotions, such as odds boosts, hassle-free bets, bonus bets, and much more to keep consumers coming back every day. Others will offer them only in moderation, if at all.
A key promotion for existing users is the referral bonus. Many sportsbooks offer some type of referral bonus to entice someone else to sign up, but the amount can vary ($50 per child, $100, $200, etc. ). If you plan to bet with friends or family, this can be a wonderful way to get extra bets for you and them.
Similar to a rewards program, you will need a sportsbook with common offers for existing consumers if you plan to bet regularly.
Strong guest service features are a must for any sports betting site, since most disputes or appeals involve someone’s money.
High marks were given to all bookmakers that provide visitor service 24/7 (after all, sporting events end at night), while problems were deduced if a betting house Betting relied on an FAQ page as a key component of its visitor service profile. If you touch on visitor service (email, chat, phone, etc. ), the better.
Customer support is a must to ensure a stylish sports betting experience. If a challenge arises, it is vital to address it temporarily and efficiently.
Photo via Grace Smith/Getty Images
You’ll have to be 21 years old to bet on sports in Iowa at a land-based or mobile sportsbook.
There are 16 betting apps available in Iowa:
There are two tactics for placing a sports bet in Iowa.
One solution is to register with one of the online sportsbooks available in the state. Once you register, determine your identity, and deposit cash into your account, you can bet on whatever you want.
If you prefer to bet in person, you can also place a sports bet at one of the state’s many sports retail sites.
Yes, mobile sports have been legal in Iowa since 2019. During the first two years of sportsArray mobile, you had to sign up with a brick-and-mortar bookmaker, but now you can sign up online.
There are two tactics for placing a sports bet in Indiana.
One solution is to register with one of the online sportsbooks available in the state. Once you’ve registered, verified your identity, and deposited cash into your account, you can bet on whatever you want.
If you prefer to bet in person, you can also place a sports bet at one of the state’s many sports retail sites.
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