Let‘s take a look to see if sports betting is legal in Iowa and what the future might hold. No matter what sports you enjoy watching or the teams you follow, you might wonder whether being able to wager on games would make it even more interesting.
Can you bet on sportsbooks and if so, what are the rules and the rest of the things you need to know?
The Current Online Sports Betting Situation in Iowa
Is sports betting legal in Iowa? And if so, when did sports betting become legal in Iowa? Iowa sports betting can be traced back to 2019 when it was first legalized under the control of the Racing and Gaming Commission.
There were some rules about registering in person at a land venue at first, but they no longer exist. The first online sportsbooks went live in 2019 and were successful very quickly.
You can bet online in Iowa, with many different sports and types of bets available since 2019. The sportsbooks in Hawkeye state are run by big, well-known operators you can trust. They cover a range of sports, giving useful welcome bonuses, and basically trying to make it as simple as possible for you to bet on your favorite sports.
The industry has continued to grow since then, with over $2 billion in bets placed in Iowa in 2021. As a state of sport-lovers, it’s been no surprise to see how quickly sports betting has grown. Before you start placing your wagers what are the main things you need to be aware of?
The History of Online Sports Betting in Iowa
To understand the current situation, we need to go back to 1983, which was when the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act was passed by the Iowa Legislature. This opened the door for some form of sports betting in the state, although it was limited. As the years passed, gambling in Iowa became more popular and this led to the demand for more options growing.
In the early 1990s, the country’s first riverboat casinos appeared, in Iowa. They were hugely successful, meaning another step on the way to more betting possibilities. Online betting became an option at the start of this century, but there was no law in Iowa to make them legal for the first few years.
There are some key points in the Iowa sports betting legislation for us to take into account. Firstly, you need to be aged 21 or older to take part. All of the regulated sites will ask you to confirm your identity before you gamble, to ensure that only people over the legal betting age take part.
One of the exclusions to be aware of is that anyone who has a close link with any sports team or league can’t bet. At least they can’t bet on their own sports, but they could bet on any other sports that they don’t have any links to.
The introduction of regulated sports betting in 2019 has brought many benefits for Iowa residents. For example, you can bet online confidently, knowing that you’re using a site that’s licensed and controlled by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. There’s no need to take a risk by using a sportsbook you know nothing about or don’t trust.
This has brought safe and responsible gambling into reach for anyone in Iowa, giving them numerous ways to bet online without any fear. Since licensed sportsbooks need to meet certain standards, they have secure sites, use trustworthy banking methods, and need to encourage responsible gambling among their users. All of this means that you can gamble without any fears.
What Sports Can You Bet on Online in Iowa?
Is online sports betting legal in Iowa for every league? Unlike some states, you can bet on pro sports and college sports too. This means that you can put your wager on the NFL, the NBA, the MLB, the NCAA, and a lot more leagues in the US and across the planet. Anyone who is in Iowa can bet on any of the state’s licensed sportsbooks, regardless of whether they’re Iowa residents or just visiting.
There are no surprises when we look at the most popular sports in Iowa sportsbooks. Football is one of the top options in every American state with legal sports betting, with betting on the NFL games and on futures like the Super Bowl Winner hugely popular. Basketball, baseball, and ice hockey are among the other sports that Iowans love to bet on.
You‘ll see all of these sports and more in the ClutchBuzz sportsbook. The A-Z list of sports runs from Australian rules to tennis, with many others between them. Just choose the sports you‘re interested in and then look for games to bet on.
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How to Bet on Sports Legally in Iowa
It‘s easier to bet on sports in Iowa than you might think. Just enter a regulated, reputable site like the ClutchBuzz Sportsbook and sign up as a new user. The registration process is short and simple, so it‘ll only take you a moment to get started. Be sure to read the terms of any new member welcome promotion that‘s listed. You can then fund your account using any of the accepted banking methods so that you‘re ready to bet right away.
Look for a game you want to try and predict, and then take a look at the odds available on it. If you want to place a bet, just click on the option you like and then put in the amount of the wager. You‘ll automatically see the potential payout and just need to confirm to proceed. If your prediction is correct, you‘ll automatically get paid the winnings straight into your account.
Iowa Sports Betting Updates
Naturally, the games you see are updated daily, to reflect the sporting calendar and let you always choose from upcoming events. The odds also change regularly, as they take into account all of the latest news such as the fitness and form of the key athletes taking part. This is why checking the latest sports news before betting is always a good idea.
We might also see new sports added, with the likes of eSports betting becoming ever more popular. Anyway, you should look out for the latest sports betting updates that might affect you, like changes that affect you or new sports being added to your favorite sportsbook. This is an industry that doesn‘t stand still and it‘s relatively new in Iowa so we can expect to see changes ahead.
Iowa Sports Betting FAQ
When did sports betting become legal in Iowa?
The legislation to make sports betting legal in Iowa was approved in 2019, and the first sportsbooks in the state went live that same year. Since then, the industry has gone from strength to strength as many Iowans have signed up for their sports bets online.
Can you bet on college sports in Iowa?
Yes, Iowa‘s sports betting laws allow wagers on college sports as well as pro sports. If we look at the options on the ClutchBuzz sportsbooks, we can see the likes of NCAA ice hockey futures where you can attempt to correctly predict who the champions of the next season will be. The hockey section also covers the NHL, so you bet on the professional teams if you prefer.
Can I bet on sporting events with my mobile phone in Iowa?
Yes, you can use a mobile device or a computer to bet on any of the sporting events that interest you. The process is the same and you can even use the same account across different devices, meaning that you‘re able to access the same funds to place wagers wherever you go.
How old do you have to be to bet in Iowa?
Is sports betting legal in Iowa at any age? Anyone who is aged 21 or older can bet on sports in Iowa. The other key point is that you need to be in the state at the time. So if you’re an Iowa resident and travel elsewhere you won‘t be able to use an Iowa sportsbook until you get back to the Hawkeye state.
Are there taxes on sports betting winnings in Iowa?
Yes, you need to pay taxes on any gambling winnings that you collect in Iowa. The Iowa withholding rules on gambling wins is for 5%, while the federal taxes that get withheld are 24%. Your losses can be used as deductions on your next tax filing, though.
Who is in charge of sports betting in Iowa?
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is in charge of sports betting in the state. They are the regulatory body that decides who to give licenses to, and they also ensure that all of the licensed sportsbooks they control comply with their standards at all times.
Final Thoughts
Sports betting in Iowa hasn‘t been around for very long but it‘s already proved to be massively popular. Fans of sports will find that it‘s now very easy to find a site that can be trusted and that provides a huge range of odds on different sporting events. If you love watching sports, then checking out a regulated Iowa sportsbook is a smart way to add something extra to your enjoyment while trying to win money at the same time.
Want To Learn More?
Iowa Online Sports Betting Bonuses & Promo Codes
Iowa Basketball Betting Guide: How To Bet On Basketball In Iowa
