Iowa’s commercial casinos closed October with a total revenue of $141.3 million, a 6.2% increase compared with $133.1 million recorded during the same month last year. The latest data from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission shows broad momentum across the market, with 12 of the state’s 19 licensed casinos reporting year-over-year gains.
Among the strongest performers, one casino grew revenue from $3.1 million to $4.6 million, a jump of 49.4%. Another increased in receipts from $8.5 million to $10.3 million, up 20.7%. A third rose from $5.1 million to $5.9 million, an increase of 17.3%. These sharp gains show how an individual property can influence statewide results when promotional activity and local demand align.
At the same time, the global casino industry continues to shift toward online platforms. Many top poker platforms today are accepting various cryptocurrencies as a supported transaction method. Players can enjoy diverse poker formats, near-instant payouts, and generous bonuses like welcome rewards, free bets, and cashback offers. While online casinos are not regulated in Iowa, these sites typically hold reputable global licenses from international gambling bodies and have attracted some Iowa casino players looking for online crypto casino experiences. However, the growth of online play does not necessarily replace visits to traditional casinos. Instead, it introduces a second channel that can influence expectations around promotions, customer experience, and loyalty programs. Despite the momentum of online casinos from offshore platforms, Iowa’s October revenue came entirely from land-based casinos and shows steady in-person demand.
Five Iowa casinos posted revenue that was effectively flat compared with last October. Two of those properties recorded marginal movements of fractions of a percent. One large Council Bluffs venue slipped from $13.7 million to $13.68 million, a change of only 0.1%. Another moved from $13.48 million to $13.45 million, a decline of 0.2%. These minimal shifts show stable local demand even without significant promotional lifts.
Only two casinos reported notable year-over-year declines. The largest drop occurred at a property that moved from $8.0 million last October to $7.4 million this year, a decrease of 6.4%. Across the state, both product categories contributed to the month’s overall improvement. Table game revenue rose from $12.7 million to $13.4 million, up 5.1%. Slot revenue increased from $120.4 million to $127.9 million, up 6.3%. Slots remain the backbone of casino earnings, and growth in that category closely matched the statewide increase.
Casinos that posted double-digit growth likely benefited from refreshed floor offerings, targeted marketing or event programming that brought more people through the door. Properties that held steady maintained reliable patronage even without major changes in strategy. Those that declined may be dealing with temporary factors such as renovation work, local competition, or shifts in customer traffic.
October naturally brings cooler weather, and people tend to spend more time indoors. That seasonal pattern often leads to steadier foot traffic for casinos, especially in riverfront areas where regional events and cross-border visitors can boost weekend volume. Casinos often coordinate offers with local festivals like Iowa’s highly anticipated annual Pella Tulip Festival and conventions such as the Iowa Ag Expo to capture event attendees and encourage longer stays. Improving staffing levels and streamlining entry and service processes helps convert increased foot traffic into higher spend per visit. Operators that combine dining, entertainment, and gaming into a single experience often capture a larger share of that seasonal demand. Promotional packages and weekend offers can also turn a short visit into an overnight stay, raising both gaming and non-gaming spend.
A 6.2% increase in a mature market signals resilience and suggests that many customers still had discretionary spending available for entertainment in October. Operators that invest in loyalty programs, faster check-in processes, and clear value in offers are better positioned to convert occasional visitors into repeat guests. Attention to service touchpoints and a smooth customer journey will help sustain momentum into the winter months.
Taken together, the October report shows a sector performing from a position of strength. Slots led the advance, table games posted solid gains, and most properties either grew or held their ground. The mix of strong individual performances and broad stability puts Iowa’s commercial casinos on a firm footing as the final quarter of the year unfolds.