Online Casinos Iowa

With the rise of the iGaming industry, players from all across the US are keen on accessing and registering at websites to have the best gaming experience. However, these sites are still restricted in many parts and that is the case with online casinos Iowa. This article will provide you with an overview of the Iowa online casinos and explain why they are still illegal.

  • Iowa gambling law checked by experts
  • Iowa online casino laws – overview
  • Online casino future in Iowa
  • 0 Legal Online Casinos
  • 20+ Legal Land Based Casinos
  • 10 Legal Social Casinos
  • 11 Legal Online Sportsbooks
  • Responsible Gaming
  • Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission

Laws Concerning Iowa Online Casinos

Even though the laws concerning online casinos Iowa state that these operators are illegal and thus residents cannot register and play there, it is important to keep up with the latest updates as all of that is likely to change.

Thanks to the 2018 US Supreme Court decision, states have been provided with the authority to regulate online gambling how they please, which is why the future of Iowa online casinos might change together with the Iowa online gambling laws.

Online Gambling Iowa

Currently, online gambling Iowa is still considered an illegal action. The residents of this US state cannot participate in any gambling activity. However, it is worth noting that online betting on sports was legalized at the start of the 2019 NFL season. The legal betting age in the state of Iowa is 21.

An alternative to a real money online casino Iowa can offer is the social casinos. They are not considered illegal, as there is no actual gambling involved. Players enjoy the social aspect of casino games without investing any funds.


History of Online Gambling Iowa

As told by Iowa gambling law, the first Pari-mutuel Wagering Act was signed in 1983. The first riverboat casinos in the state opened on April 1, 1991, and since then, land-based gambling in the state has been thriving. The first three riverboat casinos that opened were Diamond Lady in Bettendorf, The President in Dubuque, and Dubuque Casino Belle.

Players are fond of visiting gambling facilities to play various slots, table, and card games. However, as stated earlier, the Iowa online gambling laws state that wagering at online casinos is still illegal. Recently, state officials have been under pressure to legalize them, which is something that may be a reality down the road.

History of American Gambling

Now that gambling in Iowa is a familiar topic, let’s widen the subject by taking a look at the US’ history of gambling. The first gambling games that were legalized were the lotteries. New Orleans was one of the first gambling centers during the 1800s. All forms of land-based gambling in the US were legalized during the 1960s, however, just as online gambling Iowa, online operators remain illegal in many states to this day. Here are the only states in the US with legal online casinos and licenses:

The Wire Act of 1961

The Wire Act of 1961 prohibited all types of gambling through wire transactions. Even though at the time it wasn’t such a big deal, as technology progressed, it had a huge negative impact on the Iowa online gambling laws as its residents remain unable to play games online to this day.


Black Friday 2011

Black Friday in 2011 is yet another day in which Iowa online casinos suffered major losses and setbacks. On April 25, 2011, the Department of Justice took down some of the most popular poker sites, thus bringing the industry to its knees. This act faced heavy opposition by the public, hence, the movement of legalizing online casinos started and is now a relatively new development in the US.


Popular US Online Casino Games

Even though legal online gambling in Iowa is something that is yet to be a reality, there are some games that would’ve been popular at online casinos Iowa if these sites were allowed. These games are extremely entertaining and have proven to be the pillars of casino gaming for many years and are having fantastic results in other states where online gambling is legal.

That is exactly the subject that we wanted to cover in the next few chapters. We are going to take a look at some of the most popular games at every real money online casino Iowa if it was legal. These games have proven to be very popular around the US, as well. Here are the most common games in states where online casinos are legal:

Online Blackjack in Iowa

The first game that players are ought to try at the best Iowa online casinos, if they become legal in the future is online Blackjack. The reason why online Blackjack in Iowa remains illegal is due to the fact that the authorities haven’t discussed the possibility of legalizing it, even though it is taking over the US and the world.

Not only would players be able to access online Blackjack at any time and place at Iowa online casinos, but thanks to the fact that the game has simple rules, it is easy to master. Additionally, you are playing against the dealer here which makes the game very interactive and rewarding. One of the most popular blackjack games in Delaware, where online gambling is legal is Blackjack Multihand.

Online Roulette in Iowa

Next up, we have Roulette games at online casinos Iowa. Roulette is a derived French word that means little wheel, which perfectly sums up the gameplay of this gambling product. The dealer drops a ball into the wheel and your goal is to wager on the number that you think that the ball is going to stop.

If online Roulette in Iowa was legal, you would’ve been able to wager on red or black numbers, columns and rows of numbers, low or high numbers, as well as individual numbers. However, due to the laws concerning online gambling in Iowa, online roulette remains an illegal game. In Delaware, one of the most popular online Roulette games is American Roulette.

Online Slots in Iowa

Online slots would’ve been by far the most popular gambling games at online casinos Iowa. That is the case in all countries around the world and the case wouldn’t be any different here. Slots have extremely simple gameplay. You just access the game, set your preferred bet and then spin the wheel.

Game providers would’ve been able to create countless online slots in Iowa that would differ based on their theme, mechanic, gameplay, in-game features, etc. One of the most popular slots where online gambling is legal, for example, Delaware, is the classic Fire Joker, which would’ve been a fan favorite at online casinos Iowa too.

Online Poker in Iowa

Finally, we have online poker in Iowa, which is one of the most demanding casino games thanks to the fact that it relies on skill far more than on luck. In states where online poker is legal, such as Delaware, Texas Hold’em is by far the most popular game in this category.

Here, you are playing against as many as 10 players and you need to master the art of bluffing, reading opponents, knowing when to call or fold, etc. Online poker Iowa would’ve come with massive prize pools as the competition is huge and that makes it the perfect game for high-rollers. Unfortunately, due to state policies, this game remains illegal.

Land-Based Casinos in Iowa

Unlike online casinos Iowa, the land-based industry is treated differently in the state. All land-based casinos are allowed to operate and offer gambling services to all visitors who are of legal age, which, in Iowa is 21. There are over 20 land-based, tribe casinos, and riverboat casinos in the state.
Iowa Land-Based Casinos Overview
Fred Williams Author and Casino Expert
Blackbird Bend Casino 🍒 🃏 Numerous casino games and promotions are available
Isle Casino 🍒 🃏 Table games, slots and video poker are available.
Horseshoe Hammond 🍒 🃏 Countless poker games, slots, and sportsbook options

Online vs Land-Based gambling in Iowa

There are pros and cons to both types of gambling in Iowa. The advantage of land-based gambling is the fact that you can legally play casino games and have the most exciting experience at any of the well-established casinos. The con is that they are not extremely easy to reach as you might end up travelling for more than an hour to get there.

If online casinos Iowa were legal, the biggest advantage that they would offer is a safer gaming experience and easy accessibility. On the flip side, the easy accessibility can also turn into a massive disadvantage as it becomes easier for some people to develop a gambling addiction.


Future of Online Casinos Iowa

It is hard to determine whether we will witness the best Iowa online casinos shining and offering legal services to the players due to the fact that there is no news as to whether state authorities are likely to open the discussion and talk about legalizing online casinos. One thing is certain – the 2018 US Supreme Court decision made it easier for the online gambling industry to thrive in the US.


The Future of Gambling in Iowa

As for the future of gambling, in general, in the state of Iowa, it is looking promising, as the laws are not too strict. There’s no denying the fact that residents love the idea of occasionally playing casino games, which is the reason why some believe that online gambling might become legal. After all, there are several benefits that come from it, with millions of dollars in tax revenue and thousands of job openings being the top ones.


Conclusion – Online Gambling in Iowa: Illegal

Even though online casinos Iowa are likely to be legalized in the future since more US states are taking lenient steps towards this industry and are reaping the benefits of them, as of right now, these platforms remain illegal. That means that the only gambling options for the residents lie in land-based facilities.

Online gambling in Iowa remains illegal, however, all that might change in the upcoming years.
Fred Williams Author and Casino Expert

FAQs About Online Gambling Iowa

Just before we close off this article on Iowa online casinos, it is worth adding a FAQ section where we will take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions concerning the online gambling industry in the state. Hopefully, the detailed answers will provide you with a bit of extra information on Iowa’s online casinos.

👮 Are Iowa online casinos legal?
At the moment, Iowa online casinos are considered illegal. The state does not allow its residents to register at these sites to play the latest casino games. However, the good news is that land-based casinos are legal and there are over 20 brands that offer gambling services in the state.
🤔 Is online sports betting also illegal in Iowa?
While online gambling in Iowa at online casinos is considered illegal, the laws of the state treat online sports betting as a legal activity. That is good news because it indicates that Iowa might be likely to open the discussion and possibly legalize online casinos in the near future and reap its benefits.
📍 How do I spot a fake Iowa online gambling site?
Even though gambling in Iowa is illegal, in the likelihood of the industry becoming legal, there is a way to spot a fake gambling site. All you have to do is check whether it is licensed. If it’s not, then the chances of the platform being a scam are high, which means that you shouldn’t engage with it.
⚖️ What forms of gambling are legal in Iowa?
At the moment, land-based gambling in Iowa is considered legal. There are plenty of games that would’ve been popular if online casinos were legal in Iowa, but that is not the case at the moment. The only form of online wagering that is legal in the state is online sports betting.