Quick Facts about Online Casinos in Iowa
- Online casinos are prohibited and considered illegal in the state
- Sweepstakes and social casinos provide a legally suitable alternative
- To participate in sweepstakes casinos, you need to be at least 21 years
Are Online Casinos Legal in Iowa?
There are only a handful of
states with legal online casinos, and you'll find that Iowa is not one of them. So, Iowa online casino real money gambling sites are considered illegal and are not allowed under the current laws. However, the good news is that fans of online casino gaming can have fun on social and sweepstakes gaming platforms. These sites provide the same kind of fun that you would find at online casinos, but they operate with a different structure and rules, which I will discuss in greater detail later on.
Note: Sweepstakes casinos offer a variety of games, including slots and table games, using virtual currencies like Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins.
| Online Casino Regulation | Details |
| Are real money online casinos legal? | No |
| Number of real-money online casinos | 0 |
| Legal gambling options | Sweepstakes and social casinos |
| Oversight body | Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission |
Best Legal Online Casinos in Iowa
While you might not find any online casino real money Iowa platforms, you can still get your fix of fun at sweepstakes and social casinos. These platforms offer a legally viable alternative by letting you use virtual currencies like Gold Coins or Sweepstakes Coins.
Several sweepstakes casinos have started operating in Iowa, but here are the most trusted platforms where you can play legally:
Stake.us — Best sweepstakes online casino in Iowa
Stake.us: Pros & Cons
- 1200+ casino games
- Safe and legit
- Cool promo deals
- Live chat support
Visit Stake.us
Stake.us is a popular sweepstakes casino that offers over 950 games, including exclusive Stake originals such as Tome of Life. They also offer one of the best welcome offers in the business. Signing up with the promo code PROMOBOY gives you access to a large welcome package, including 55 Stake Cash, 260,000 Gold Coins, and a 5% Rakeback reward. You can use these virtual coins to play slots and table games.
RealPrize — Best for referral program
Pros and cons of RealPrize
- Excellent Daily login bonus of 5,000 GC and 0.30 SC
- Fast gift card redemptions often within 24 hours
- Quality sweepstakes casino games from top providers like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play
- Seven-tier VIP program with increasing rewards
- PayPal supported for purchases and redemptions
- Small game library of only 200+ titles
- Live chat support limited to higher VIP tiers
- No dedicated sweepstakes casino app
Visit Real Prize
If you are in search of a fun and flexible gaming experience, the RealPrize is a good option. It offers an outstanding referral bonus with up to 200,000 Gold Coins and 70 Sweepstakes Coins. The site also offers over 350 games, including scratch cards, poker games, and slots from top developers like Pragmatic, Relax, and Evosoft.
High 5 Casino — Best for mobile gaming
High 5 Casino: Pros & Cons
- Generous welcome bonus package
- Over 1500 quality games available
- Free daily coin rewards
- Legit with multiple licenses
- Limited table game options
Visit High5Casino
High 5 Casino boasts some of the best apps for Android and iOS, which are smooth and easy to use. Plus, players have a large library of over 1,200 games, including slots, table games, and live dealer options. The inclusion of live dealer games is quite rare for a sweepstakes casino and is quite the drawcard. With a sign-up bonus of 250 Game Coins and 5 Sweepstakes Coins, High 5 Casino is great for newcomers looking for a mobile-friendly platform.
WOW Vegas — Best for slot variety
WOW Vegas: Pros & Cons
- Sign-up bonus offer
- Over 1,000 casino games
- Plenty of rewards and incentives
- up to date software
Visit Wow Vegas
WOW Vegas features a wide variety of gaming options with over 1200 titles from popular developers like Betsoft and Pragmatic Play. This means you’ll find everything, from classics to megaways and jackpot games. As a new player, you can look forward to 250,000 WOW Coins and 5 Sweeps Coins, as well as slot tournaments and exciting prize drops.
McLuck — Best for jackpots
Pros and cons of McLuck
- Great selection of jackpot slots, including the McJackpot progressive jackpots
- Excellent mobile app for both iOS and Android devices
- Over 700 online slots from popular providers like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play
- Live dealer games available
- Claim referral bonus of up to 100 SC
- High redemption threshold of 100 SC
- Limited table game options
Visit McLuck
At McLuck Casino, all players have a chance of winning with their unique “McJackpot” feature. Players spin to win amazing prizes like Gold and Sweepstakes Coins. You can get started with 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins. They also have a number of recurring offers, like a referral bonus, rewards for daily logins, and a 'Spin & Win' leaderboard.
Can You Win Real Money at Sweepstakes Casinos?
No, sweepstakes casinos do not offer real money play. However, you can redeem Sweepstakes Coin winnings for real rewards by completing the brand’s playthrough and minimum redemption requirements. Here is how the process works with virtual currencies:
- Gold Coins (GC):
These are purely for fun and can’t be used for anything else besides playing games. They have no monetary value, but you can buy them in optional packages.
- Sweepstakes Coins (SC):
SC winnings can be redeemed for real prizes, including cash. For example, players typically need 10 SC or more to make a redemption request. You don’t buy them, but you might receive them as a bonus for buying Gold Coins.
Do You Want to Learn More About Sweeps Casinos? Check Out Our Guides!
Best Iowa Casino Apps
These days, smart technology has made it possible for you to enjoy online gaming wherever you are. The best sweepstakes casinos in Iowa offer seamless mobile gaming on either browsers, dedicated apps, or both. Here is a brief overview of what the top sweepstakes casinos offer in terms of mobile gaming apps
| App Name | Apple Store Rating | Google Store Rating | Available Games |
| High 5 Casino | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 | 1,700+ |
| WOW Vegas | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 | 1,000+ |
| Stake.us | N/A | N/A | 1,400+ |
| RealPrize | N/A | N/A | 300+ |
| McLuck | N/A | N/A | 500+ |
Online Gambling Laws in Iowa
Despite being a strong supporter of land-based gambling, with numerous traditional casinos and sportsbooks spread across the state, Iowa has yet to endorse online gambling.
Many assumed that once online sportsbooks were legalized in the state in 2019, online casinos would naturally follow suit. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
The most recent effort to legalize Iowa real money online casino platforms came in 2023 with the House Study Bill 227. However, it failed to garner sufficient legislative support. At this time, there are no active discussions about expanding gambling laws further.
Gambling Legislation Timeline in Iowa
Even with these legal restrictions and setbacks, Iowa still has a rich and varied history of gambling. Let’s look at some of these key milestones.
- 1983:
Iowa officially legalized pari-mutuel betting and established the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to oversee all gambling activities in the state.
- 1985:
The state opened its first greyhound racing track and launched the Iowa Lottery
- 1989:
Iowa became the first US state to legalize riverboat casinos
- 1992:
Iowa’s Native American tribes were to operate casino facilities under federal law
- 2004:
Stricter measures are introduced, including bans on ATMs in casinos and stricter penalties for underage gambling
- 2007:
Iowa approved land-based casino operations
- 2019:
Iowa legalized both retail and online sports betting, including Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Are Real-Money Online Casinos Going to Be Legal Soon?
Despite the success of mobile sports betting platforms, it seems that there are no solid plans to introduce legal real money sites in Iowa. Fortunately, players can still engage in other entertaining options, such as sweepstakes and social casinos.
Even though real-money online casinos aren’t legal, there are quite a few legal gambling options in Iowa. If you are interested, here is what you can participate in:
- Lottery games:
Includes multi-state draws like Powerball and Mega Millions.
- Retail and riverboat casinos:
Players can enjoy table games and slot machines at over 20 venues.
- Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS):
Platforms such as DraftKings operate legally.
- Sports betting:
Available through mobile apps and physical sportsbooks.
Legal Gambling Age in Iowa
You must be 21 years old to participate in legal gambling activities, including purchasing lottery tickets. This age limit also applies to sweepstakes casinos.
Do You Pay Taxes on Casino Winnings in Iowa?
Yes, all gambling winnings are subject to federal and state income taxes. The state tax rate is 6.48%. For sweepstakes casinos, tax liability applies when Sweepstakes Coins are converted into monetary or tangible prizes.
What Games Are Available at Iowa Casinos?
If you are gaming at Iowa sweepstakes casinos, you can look forward to a wide variety of games and titles, including slots, table games, and live dealer options. Here are some of the most popular options:
| Game | RTP | Provider | Platform |
| Sweet Bonanza | 96.51% | Pragmatic Play | McLuck |
| Diamond Heist | 96.20% | Betsoft | WOW Vegas |
| Lightning Roulette | 97.30% | Vivo Gaming | High 5 Casino |
| Stake Originals | N/A | Proprietary | Stake.us |
Bonuses at Iowa Online Casinos
While sweepstakes casinos do not offer the typical experience of an online casino, they do reward players with generous and exciting promotions.
Several platforms offer sweepstakes
casino bonuses with no purchase, which are great for beginners and allow you to explore the site with free virtual currencies.
These include free GC and SC every time you log in, and they are usually valid for 24 hours.
Many top online casino platforms reward regular players with bonus coins and other perks based on how much they play.
These are often themed promotions with special rewards that tie into seasonal holidays and festivities.
Note:
When claiming bonuses at sweepstakes casinos, always check the playthrough requirements and expiry dates. Most bonuses will require you to meet specific playthrough conditions before redeeming Sweepstakes Coins, and others might only be valid for a limited time.
Payment Methods at Casinos in Iowa
In order to purchase Gold Coins, or to redeem Sweepstakes Coin winnings, players need to use trusted payment methods. Here is a brief overview of the types of banking methods used by top sweepstakes casinos in Iowa.
| Payment Method | Purchase Time | Redemption Time | Fees |
| Mastercard | Instant | 1 to 3 days | None |
| Visa | Instant | 1 to 3 days | None |
| Bank Transfer | Instant | 3 to 5 days | None |
| Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies | Instant | Up to 24 hours | None |
Retail Casinos in Iowa
As I mentioned previously, Iowa has a long and rich history with gambling. There are a number of popular and long-standing gambling establishments in the state. When you play here, you are in for an all-encompassing experience consisting of fine dining, world-class entertainment, and luxury accommodations.
Below are some of the most notable retail casinos found in Iowa:
| Casino Name | Unique Features | Year Established | Number of Games |
| Prairie Meadows Casino | Features 85,000 sq. ft. of gaming space, live horse racing (May-Sept), and a generous loyalty program. | 1995 | 2,000+ |
| Riverside Casino | Includes an 18-hole championship golf course, luxury spa, and a "One Club" loyalty program for rewards across multiple resorts. | 2006 | 1,200+ |
| Isle Casino Waterloo | Offers an exciting combination of gaming and entertainment, including a 195-room hotel and live music events. | 2007 | 950+ |
| Diamond Jo Casino | Includes a state-of-the-art bowling alley, live entertainment venue, and 5-star dining options. | 1994 | 975+ |
| Meskwaki Casino | Operates one of the largest bingo halls and hosts special cultural events in a 400-room hotel. | 1992 | 1,350+ |
How We Rate the Best Online Casinos in Iowa
I make it a habit to really dig deep when evaluating sweepstakes casinos so that readers get the best that Iowa has to offer. Here is what I took into consideration.
My top sites employ advanced encryption and strict privacy policies to protect your data.
I always check out the gaming catalog to make sure they have an extensive selection of slots, table games, and live dealer options from trusted developers.
Generous welcome offers, ongoing promotions, and reasonable playthrough requirements are a surefire way to keep players entertained and happy.
I also check out the customer support options, as reliable 24/7 service in the form of live chat or phone is important in case of unexpected issues.
Responsible Gambling in Iowa
If you or someone you know struggles with gambling, there are useful Iowa resources available:
- National Council on Problem Gambling:
The National Council on Problem Gambling offers confidential support online or at 1-800-GAMBLER.
- Your Life Iowa:
Through the website,
Your Life Iowa
provides counseling and self-exclusion programs.
- Self-exclusion lists:
Administered by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
Explore the Best Online Casinos in Other US States
If you want to learn more about online gambling and its laws and regulations in other US states, then you can check out other guides on this platform.
Final Thoughts on Online Casinos in Iowa
I hope this guide has helped you to understand all you need to know about online casinos in Iowa. While we have learned that they are not legal as the law currently stands, we’ve also seen that there are alternatives. Sweepstakes casinos offer a legally viable way to enjoy all the excitement of an online casino without worrying about legal repercussions. The registration process is usually simple, taking only minutes. So sign up and have fun!
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Casinos in Iowa FAQ
🃏 Are online casinos legal in Iowa?
No, but sweepstakes casinos like Stake.us are legal substitutes that offer all the excitement of real money online casinos.
💰 Can you play casino games for real money?
No, you cannot win cash at sweepstakes casinos. However, you can redeem Sweepstakes Coins from legal sites for prizes and cash.
🏛️ What states are online casinos legal?
States such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey allow real-money online casino platforms.
