The lawmakers’ and society’s outlook toward gambling activities is changing drastically. Many US states revised their previous betting laws, allowing residents to enjoy real money casino gaming legally. The introduction of online gambling platforms also led to this change of thought. So, what’s the stand of Iowa on iGaming?
Let’s first revisit Hawkeye State’s gambling history to get a clearer picture.
Gambling Scene in Iowa – A Backdrop Story
During the 19th century, informal betting on horse races, card games, and lotteries was common in Iowa. But the Iowa government passed a gambling law to ban and control these unregulated activities. It wasn’t until 1985 that Iowa legalized state lottery and the gambling expansion began in the state.
In 1991, Iowa permitted casino-style gambling on Mississippi River boats. In fact, it was the first state to legalize riverboat casinos in the USA. As the revenue increased, more riverboat casinos opened here. Further, the state authorities signed a compact with native Indian tribes in 1994, which allowed them to open land casinos as per the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
The reason being? Relaxing strict anti-gambling laws gave the local economy a much-needed push.
What are the Recent Developments in Iowa’s Gambling Market?
Today, the Hawkeye state has 19 commercial and 4 tribal casinos running legally. Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) regulates all the commercial casinos in the region.
According to the American Gaming Association, gross gaming revenue was $1.74 billion while the state collected around $371.43 million in taxes through casino facilities. It’s fair to say Iowa’s land-based gambling market is now flourishing.
However, Iowa online gambling laws remain a subject of discussion as legislators debate potential changes to existing policies.
Launch of e-SportsBook in Iowa
Soon after the federal court revoked PASPA in 2018, Iowa lawmakers took steps to allow sports betting. In May 2019, Gov. Kim Reynolds enacted sports betting into law. Yes, it just took a year for the Hawkeye State to legalize online sports betting!
Fast forward to today, Iowans can wager on their favorite sports via 18 legal e-Sportsbook platforms. These are mobile-friendly sports betting sites, which means punters can place bets from anywhere and anytime. Whether you love the NFL, NBA, NHL, or MLB, you’ll find various wagering opportunities on these regulated e-sportsbooks year-round.
So, if you’re above 21 years old, you can bet in Iowa legally after verifying your age.
The Status of Iowa’s Online Casino Gaming
Straight to the point – online casinos are still illegal in Iowa. There’s no online gambling option for Iowans yet. Residents are waiting for the regulations to change for good, but nobody knows when. That said, Iowans have two alternatives to play real money casino games online.
Offshore Casino Sites
To satisfy their casino gaming desires, Iowa residents have to register on offshore casino sites. These are overseas-based casino sites that got their license from regulated jurisdictions.
Hence, Iowan can bet stress-free on any casino game they like without breaking regional laws and regulations. From slots, poker, and table games to speciality games, they will find all casino gaming genres under one roof.
Sweepstake Casinos
Another option for the residents is to play sweepstakes or social casinos. These are Vegas-style games that casino gaming fans can play using virtual coins and sweep coins. There’s no risk of losing cash but they also can’t withdraw their winnings. So play for free without any deposit!
What’s Next? – Future Trends & Scope
Are you thinking when will state-based real money casino sites be a reality in the Hawkeye State? Well, that’s still a mystery to be resolved. Iowa’s lawmakers aren’t planning to legalize online gambling anytime soon. There’s no push in the legislation. But wait, there’s still hope.
With the legalization of e-sportsbooks, legal online casinos will be on the cards someday for sure.
Currently, Iowa needs a significant legislative push to launch state-approved real money casino sites. State Representative Bobby Kaufman’s HSB 227 bill aimed to legalize online casino gambling, but it died in a Senate committee.
The authorities are only in the discussion phase of lifting the ban on online casino gaming. Kaufman says if any lawmaker proposes a new iGaming bill, it’ll have his full support in the committee. Once passed into law, Iowan can play various casino games from the state-run online casino platforms.
FAQs
- Which are the best offshore casino sites to play from Iowa?
To play real money casino games, you can sign up on Ignition Casino, BetOnline, ACRPoker, Bovada, and Juicy Stakes. These online casinos host games like poker, slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, bingo, and much more.
- Who operates tribal casinos in Iowa?
The Omaha Tribe, the Winnebago Tribe, the Sac & Fox Tribe, and the Ponca Tribe own, operate, and manage tribal casinos in Iowa on Indian reservation lands.
- What are the top sports betting sites in Iowa?
BetMGM, FanDuel, Bet365, Caesars Sportsbook, and DraftKings are the top five sportsbook sites in Iowa. You can also download their apps on iOS and Android devices.
Bottom Line
Iowa state legislators didn’t take much time in permitting online sports betting. The same decision-making pace is the need of an hour for online casino gambling too. With no limit on land casinos, Iowa needs the same approach for online gambling platforms.
Iowa residents are eagerly waiting for the state authorities to enact the iGaming bill into law. They want similar privileges as sports bettors are enjoying within the state. Till then, time stands still for those casino gambling lovers.