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 sports betting is easy to use in Iowa.
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 bet, bettors in the state have been required to 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 the best marks for the aforementioned criteria, so you can’t pass any of them.
DraftKings entered the Iowa sports market with brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in 2020 before launching its mobile sportsbooks shortly after.
DraftKings offers daily odds boosts, futures markets and side bets, a built-in rewards program, and a Parlay Builder tool that makes it easy to combine multiple bets into one.
DraftKings is also the official partner of UFC if you like MMA fights.
Like DraftKings, FanDuel was introduced in Iowa in 2020, when bettors still had to register with a brick-and-mortar sportsbook. 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 industry. 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 with 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 in sporting event. It also has an exclusive “Change 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 welcome Caesars Sportsbook in October 2021, the same year the sports launched.
It is known for its impressive diversity of odds boosts, offering dozens of things to explore across a variety of sports every day.
Caesars offers a full menu of markets and a delicious welcome offer. It also offers a robust rewards program, common promotions for unwavering 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 has one of the most productive reward systems in the industry. Fanatics provides bettors with a percentage of any and all bets on FanCash, which can be used for bonus bets at the sportsbook 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 bookmakers to honor the Hawkeye State, when it was introduced on January 1, 2021, without a physical presence.
BetRivers is eye-catching, but it covers the bases and gives a more local vibe than the big bookmakers. It also has a robust loyalty program for returning consumers through Rivers Rewards.
Iowa is one of 17 states that featured ESPN BET when it launched in November 2023. Their app offers a seamless betting experience thanks to its sleek interface, fast loading times, and easy navigation.
ESPN BET offers a counterfeit welcome offer, exclusive odds boosts, and rewards for existing visitors, such as deposits and rebates on bets. It also has visitor service and fun connections with its parent company. It offers promotions and links that cater to ESPN personalities. and shows.
We took the time to analyze and study many sportsbooks, narrowing down a list of the most productive in the industry. These ratings can help you determine which ones you should check 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 the quick user reviews to get an idea of what other people are saying about the app and if there are any recurring court cases or issues. This can be useful for features that are difficult to compare until you use the app, such as holdup or guest 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 number of mobile sports allowed.
As a result, sports betting varies by state, as both states will have to approve a sportsbook before it can be introduced there. There is no bookmaker in one or both states that offers legal online sports betting, however, some have been introduced in most of them.
Generally speaking, the more states a bookmaker can have, the better. This means you’re more likely to have it in your state, in a neighboring state, or in a state you’re likely to go to, so it’s less difficult and more convenient to use. This way, you’ll be able to take your bookmaker 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 offer is related to a higher amount doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better.
Some sports sites offer “bet and get” promotions where you get bonus bets (site credit) just for betting 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.
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 are not 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 may not matter if it is difficult to claim.
The most productive sports bonus offers are as undeniable to claim as they are generous, being undeniable and simple without having to jump through any hoops.
The most productive bonuses are guaranteed and arrive immediately to your account as soon as you place your first bet. They will also be easy to complete and may not require you to check 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 bet and plan to use a bookmaker frequently, a counterfeit rewards program is essential.
Loyalty systems differ between bookmakers. Some offer you commendation points to bet on, which can then be converted into bonus bets or other accolades. Others offer high praise such as free rides, hotel stays, tickets to sporting events, and more.
On the other hand, some betting houses do not offer any rewards. This may not be a big deal for casual bettors, but it can make a difference for regular sports bettors.
It’s like paying for anything with money other than a credit card. If you place a bet on one site without a loyalty program, you’ll lose problems 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 consider the duration of the stream, the amount of battery used, and the number of occasions available to stream in 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 bookmakers offer some sort of referral bonus to entice someone else to sign up, but the amount can vary ($50 per child, $100, $200, etc. ). If you’re making plans to gamble with friends or family, this can be a wonderful way to get bonus bets for you and them.
Similar to a rewards program, you’ll need a sportsbook with common offers for existing consumers if you plan to gamble regularly.
Robust visitor service features are a must for any sports betting site, given that most disputes or appeals involve someone’s money.
All bookmakers that provide 24/7 visitor service were given high marks (sporting events end at night, after all), while problems were deduced if a bookmaker relied on an FAQ page as a key component of its visitor service profile. The more features there are to contact visitor support (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 have 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 retail sports sites.
Yes, mobile sports have been legal in Iowa since 2019. During the first two years of mobile sports, you had to log in to a physical sports site, but now you can log in 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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