The Best Gambling Experiences in Iowa
The state of Iowa moved quickly when it came to expanding the gambling options in the state after a major turn of events in 2018. Now, the state has a range of gaming options that include land-based casino gambling, horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering as well as sports betting. Our team of gambling experts have taken a look at what’s available in the state to make the best recommendations. Take some time to look into how we rate these casinos and what’s on offer in the great state of Iowa.
The Best Online Casinos in Iowa
There is no concrete information that has confirmed when or if online casino gambling will be legalized in Iowa. However, for players looking to enjoy some casino games online, there are social casinos that offer great entertainment. Keep in mind that there is no real money on the line or to be won at social casinos, but the games are the same as what you might find at an international online casino or at a land-based casino in the state. Here are some of the best social casinos that we reckon you should try.
Slots.LV
- 1500+ Games, Slots & Live Dealer Games!
- FREE Daily Rewards
- Authentic brand, Made in the USA
Decode Casino
- 2,500+ games including slots, table, and live dealer
- Futuristic cyberpunk theme with unique missions
- Top providers: BetSoft, Habanero, RTG
RedStag Casino
- 150+ games including exclusive slots and table games
- Fast payouts with reliable processing times
- VIP rewards with cashback, free spins, and perks
SuperSlots Casino
- 500+ games, including slots, table games & live dealer
- Fast payouts with multiple crypto and banking options
- 24/7 customer support via live chat and email
GrandeVegas Casino
- 200+ games, including slots, table games & video poker
- Progressive jackpots like Aztec’s Millions and Megasaur
- VIP program with exclusive rewards and perks
Miami Club Casino
- 225+ games, including slots, tournaments & table games
- Daily slot tournaments with cash prizes
- VIP program with exclusive perks and rewards
Lincoln Casino
- Exclusive 7-reel slots like Lucky Sevens
- Daily tournaments with prizes up to $5,000
- Tiered Lincoln Rewards with exclusive perks
Drake Casino
- Betsoft 3D slots with top-tier graphics
- Custom VIP rewards with cashback perks
- Smooth mobile gaming on any device
Cafe Casino
- Hot Drop Jackpots with guaranteed daily winners
- Weekly Mystery Bonus with surprise rewards
- Refer-a-Friend Bonus for unlimited cash rewards
Ignition Casino
- Fast crypto payouts with low fees
- Exclusive poker features like Anonymous Tables
- Generous rewards through the VIP program
Gambling Laws and Regulations in Iowa
Iowa is no stranger to gambling and was also one of the first states to take advantage of the legalization of sports betting in the country. The federal law was amended in 2018, which gave all the country’s states the opportunity to legalize sports wagering. In 2019, Iowa made quick work of finalizing legislation to bring online and retail sportsbooks to the state. When it comes to casino gambling, there are tons of options available at one of the state’s land-based casinos, racetracks, bingo venues and retail locations for lotteries.
Online Gambling
The popularity of online sports betting shows that residents of Iowa are not averse to gambling online. However, there have been many issues cited which have delayed the legalization of online casino gambling in the state. Players in the state can also check the status of their lottery tickets with a lottery app, but still, need to purchase tickets at a retail location. As for real money online gambling, the only current option is online sports betting. To enjoy casino games online, residents and visitors in the state only have access to social casinos as well as sweepstakes casinos. According to statements from one of the online casino operators that are interested in the market in the state, there would be a push for online casino gaming in 2022 with hopes that the industry will be legalized and launched in 2023.
Gambling Taxes
Any winnings that are acquired through the different legal gambling options in the state of Iowa are considered taxable. However, there are different percentages depending on how much you have won and how you have won it. So, some advice that we could give is that you keep a record of your gambling activities in Iowa as there might be federal and state taxes that need to be paid when filing your tax return.
Oversight
When it comes to regulating and upholding the golden standard of gambling in Iowa, it all depends on the type of gambling activity. Sports betting in both its forms, horse race betting, casino gambling and poker are overseen by the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission. The state’s lotteries are overseen by the Iowa Lottery. Finally, the bingo, social casino gaming and other skill-based gaming options are overseen by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals.
Reviewing and Rating The Best Casinos
When we compile our lists of the best gambling websites, we do it thoroughly and leave no stone left unturned. Our team takes great care when reviewing online casinos to ensure that you choose to play with the safest and most enjoyable online casinos out there. There are steps that are taken to ensure only the best of the best are presented to you and here are some of the most important factors that we believe can make or break the gambling experience.
Customer Support
Having support if something does go wrong during your gaming session is often overlooked. However, we take the time to find out how the customer support team can be reached and test these methods as well. Customer support should be professional and efficient to ensure that any issue is resolved as quickly as possible. A casino gets extra points if there is a well-organized FAQ section for players to go to if they need answers to common questions.
Security
Our team does a thorough background check on each online casino or social casino to find out about its origins and whether or not the website or brand can be trusted. We also find out if the latest encryption technology is being used to keep your personal information safe at all times. A deep dive is also conducted to find out if the social casino has a stamp of approval from major and well-known third-party auditors, which shows that the software is regularly tested.
Payment Options
While you won’t need to fund your bankroll with cash, you may want to purchase gold coins to extend your gaming experiences. In these cases, there should be an extensive list of payment options available to players or at least a list of easily accessible and secure payment options to be used.
Bonuses and Promotions
The social casinos we review and recommend should have great welcome bonuses to attract new players. However, the casino will receive extra points if there are ongoing promotions, regular events or tournaments for players to enjoy. Another aspect we love to see is a loyalty or VIP program that rewards players for coming back to play.
Collection of Games
We know that the casino gaming options on a social casino are not huge. However, the games that are offered, should be of good quality, have familiar titles and be provided by trusted software developers. The games featured should also have the same mechanics and odds that their real-money counterparts have. This is also where regular audits and testing come in, to rest assured that when you play, it is random and fair.
Mobile Compatibility
Social casinos are known to be a convenient way to enjoy casino games on the go. That is the main reason why we want to see the best social casinos accessible on a range of mobile devices. The casinos should present well on a tablet or smartphone running on a range of different operating systems. If the casino has an app, we thoroughly check to see how well the app gaming experience compares to the desktop version of the website.
The latest untrustworthy online casinos in Iowa
We use a thorough evaluation process to recommend only the best Iowa casinos. If a site fails to meet our strict standards for fair play, security, and player protection, we add it to our list of casinos to avoid. Below is a detailed breakdown of the most untrustworthy online casinos in Iowa.
| Casino | Rating (1-5) | Negative Issue |
|---|---|---|
| CoolCat Casino | ★ (2/5) | Frequent Payment Delays |
| Prism Casino | ★ (1/5) | Unresponsive Customer Support |
| Grand Bay Casino | ★ (2/5) | Misleading Bonus Terms |
| Planet 7 | ★ (2/5) | High Withdrawal Fees |
| Wild Vegas Casino | ★ (1/5) | Unfair Gaming Algorithms |
Gambling Games in Iowa
Even without real money online casinos, there are still tons of gambling options to enjoy in Iowa. Here is a look at the gambling opportunities you will have if you find yourself in the state.
Best Online Casinos in Detail
You may be familiar with some of the social casinos listed below. You may have seen them advertised on social media or heard of them from your friends. Here are some of the best social casinos that you can find in Iowa.
| Casino | Description |
|---|---|
| Gold Fish Casino | A social casino that can be accessed through its dedicated app, from the website or even through your Facebook page. It is geared at people that love playing slots with about 120 of the best online slots. These games are provided by some of the best software developers in the gambling industry. |
| My Jackpot.com | A social casino that is extremely popular in Europe and now in Iowa as well. Players can expect to find a great selection of online slots as well as table games. There is something for any type of casino game player and the casino can be accessed through a dedicated social casino app. |
| VeraVegas | This social casino is home to some of the best online slots out there. Players can also enjoy some popular table games. There is a lot to enjoy at this social casino and it also has a very generous welcome bonus to draw you in and take advantage of. |
| Big Fish Casino | This social casino comes fully packed with a selection of the most popular table games and online slots for you to enjoy. Getting onto and playing games with this social casino is easy and can be done from the app, on your Facebook page or the website. |
| Slotomania | This social casino is a front runner when it comes to the software used to power its platform. The gaming experience is like no other and has approximately 200 online slots to enjoy. New games are regularly added to the casino to keep things fresh and titles are usually exclusive to Slotomania. |
| WorldWinner | It is slightly different to other social casinos given that the games are based on popular board games or TV shows. Another major difference is that the games can be played against a variety of opponents ranging from friends to strangers around the world and there is even a possibility of winning real-money prizes. |
| Gambino Slots | A well-known social casino in the US that offers players a great selection of over 200 online slots to take advantage of. The brand has gained popularity due to its high-quality overall gaming experience that can be enjoyed on desktop or mobile. |
Online Casino Payment Methods in Iowa
When playing at top online casino real money sites, having access to secure and convenient payment methods is essential. Iowa players can choose from a variety of options, including credit and debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, and even cryptocurrencies for seamless transactions. Both deposits and withdrawals should be quick, secure, and hassle-free, allowing players to focus on enjoying their gaming experience.
Use the table below to compare the best real money payment methods and find the right option for you.
| Payment Method | Minimum Deposit | Deposit Time | Withdrawals Accepted? | Withdrawal Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card | $10 | Instant | ❌ | N/A |
| Debit Card | $10 | Instant | ✅ | 1-7 days |
| Apple Pay | $10 | Instant | ❌ | N/A |
| Google Pay | $10 | Instant | ❌ | N/A |
| VIP Preferred | $10-$20 | Instant | ✅ | 1-7 days |
| Play+ | $5 | Instant | ✅ | Instant |
| PayPal | $5-$10 | Instant | ✅ | 1-7 days |
| Skrill | $5-$10 | Instant | ✅ | 24 hours |
| Cash at Casino Cage | $10 | Varies | ✅ | 24 hours |
| Cryptocurrency | $10 equivalent | Instant | ✅ | Instant |
| PayNearMe | $10 | Approx. 15 min | ❌ | N/A |
Popular payment methods for online casino real money
Online casinos offer a variety of secure and convenient payment methods, including credit/debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies, ensuring players can deposit and withdraw funds with ease.
Fun fact
Sweepstakes and social casinos have their own distinct payment terms. Rather than depositing funds, players buy virtual coin packages, and instead of withdrawing winnings, they exchange coins for real money prizes. While the terminology differs for legal reasons, the process is still straightforward, allowing players to enjoy a casino-like experience with the chance to win real cash rewards.
Land-Based Casinos
There are about 23 land-based casinos located in Iowa. So, if it’s casino games you’re looking for then Iowa is where you will find it. Here are some of the best land-based casinos that we would recommend you try.
| Land-based casino | Address | Contact number | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie Meadows | 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Des Moines, IA 50009, USA | +1 515-967-1000 | Website |
| Ameristar Council Bluffs | 2200 River Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA | +1 712-328-8888 | Website |
| Catfish Bend Casino | 3001 Winegard Drive, Burlington, IA 52601, USA | +1 319-753-2946 | Website |
| Horseshoe Casino | 2701 23rd Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA | +1 712-323-2500 | Website |
| Q Casino & Hotel | 1855 Greyhound Park Road, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA | +1 563-582-3647 | Website |
| Rhythm City Casino Resort | 7077 Elmore Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807, USA | +1 563-328-8000 | Website |
Information : The minimum legal age to enter a casino in Iowa is 21
Responsible Gambling in Iowa
Casinos in the state take responsible gambling seriously and even offer self-exclusion programs for people that are struggling to manage their gambling habits. Gambling should always be enjoyed and never be a stressful activity that leads to negative outcomes. Here are a few resources to use if you or someone you know has been affected by gambling addiction.
Other states in the US
Fact-checked by Reza Shojaei
Reza Shojaei has carefully checked and verified all US casino details on this page, ensuring accuracy and reliability. As a US casino expert, published author, and Head of CasinoTop.com, Reza brings extensive knowledge of the gambling industry, covering trends, regulations, and player insights. His expertise guarantees trustworthy information, helping players make confident and well-informed decisions in the US casino market.
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