The best online casinos in Iowa for 2024
Compare the best Iowa online casinos here! Real money casinos are not currently permitted in the Hawkeye State, but you can still play the latest games at legal social and sweepstakes sites. Find our expert-rated picks below, or keep reading for the latest updates on online gambling in Iowa.
Our top recommended Iowa online casinos
Iowa online casinos to avoid
We only ever recommend safe, secure, and legal casino sites. If we think an Iowa online casino isn't up to scratch, we add it to our list of sites to avoid. The casinos on our list below may have proven to be fraudulent, unsafe, or just offer a poor gaming experience. Take a look to find the Iowa casino apps that our experts wouldn't recommend!
Online casinos in Iowa - overview
⭐ Best Iowa online casinos | McLuck |
🏆 Biggest casino bonus | Gambino Slots |
📱 Best Iowa casino app | McLuck |
🎲 Real money online casino games | ❌ |
🎰 Social online casino games | ✅ |
⚖️ Gambling regulator | Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission |
Last updated: Apr 18th 2024
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The best online casinos in Iowa - our experts' picks
Our experts have searched high and low to find the best Iowa online casinos. Below are some of the top picks available to players in the Hawkeye State. Most offer hundreds of the best slot games along with generous welcome offers and coin packages. All of the recommendations below are social or sweepstakes casino sites and are 100% free to play at.
McLuck - best for bonuses
McLuck is one of the most reputable online casinos in Iowa. The site is best known for its promotions, but especially its 'McJackpot' feature. This is a unique promo where players can spin to win huge prizes, including top rewards like Gold and Sweepstakes Coins. Other recurring promotions include their referral bonus, daily logins, a 'Spin & Win' leaderboard, and more!
Read our full McLuck casino review.
WOW Vegas - best for slot games
WOW Vegas is one of the best Iowa casino apps, offering over 700+ casino-style games. The majority of these are slots, including iconic titles like Wilds of Fortune, Cleopatra, and Extra Juicy. Most of WOW Vegas's games are supplied by reputable, global software developers like Pragmatic Play and Betsoft, guaranteeing a truly premium gaming experience. If you're a slots fan and looking for a variety, it's hard to beat WOW Vegas.
Read our full WOW Vegas casino review.
Pulsz - best for sweepstakes
Established in 2020, Pulsz has fast become one of the top social and sweepstakes casinos in Iowa. The casino app offers over 700 games, including over 400 slots and plenty of other casino-style games. Alongside a large catalog of exclusive games, the platform provides free coins that allow you to play games without spending a dime. You can also win sweep coins which you can redeem for real money prizes. For as little as 10 SC you can redeem a gift card, and for 100 SC you can redeem a cash prize.
Read our full Pulsz casino review.
High 5 Casino - best for casino games
High 5 Casino is another big name in Iowa's online gambling landscape. The casino offers a treasure trove of over 1,200 casino games including slots, table games, and even live dealer titles. A live casino is super rare and not something you find at most social and sweepstakes casinos. The live games at High 5 are powered largely by Vivio Gaming and promise an authentic, entertaining gaming experience. If you want a huge choice of games, High 5 Casino is for you.
Read our full High 5 Casino review.
Stake Casino - best for cryptocurrency
Stake is a unique sweepstakes casino that lets players purchase virtual coins using cryptocurrency. Popular accepted payment methods include Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum to name just a few. This Iowa online casino also provides over 550 games, including hundreds of slots, table games, and live dealer options. Players like Stake for its crypto-compatibility as well as its daily bonuses, tournaments, and races.
Read our full Stake Casino review.
Fortune Coins - best unique games
Fortune Coins is a popular sweepstakes casino that lets you play casino-style games for free. The brand is most well known for its 'Fish Games' – arcade-style games where you shoot targets to win prizes. Popular titles include Emily’s Treasure and Golden Dragon, both of which are exclusive to Fortune Coins. Alongside other popular slots and table games, Fortune Coins promises a dynamic and refreshing mix of games to play.
Read our full Fortune Coins Casino review.
Gambino Slots - best Iowa casino app
Bright, breezy, and very easy to access, Gambino is one of the biggest names in social casinos in the US. Though the casino has a smaller portfolio, the site still offers more than 200 of the latest online slot games. Players like Gambino Slots for its mobile play and slick, easy-to-use app which comes highly rated. And if you prefer, you can even play via Facebook and climb the slot leaderboard that way.
Read our full Gambino Slots review.
Lucky Bird - best VIP program
Another top sweepstakes casino, Lucky Bird offers a captivating selection of casino games and a range of immersive slots. This Iowa online casino has several ongoing promotions including treasure chests, daily contests, and their 'LuckyBird Faucet'. The VIP scheme in particular is highly impressive and comes with 15 tiers to progress through. Each level offers its own unique rewards, like Level 1 which has a 5% rakeback!
What the best Iowa casinos offer you
There are many factors that go into finding the best Iowa online casino for you. Our experienced team of casino experts assess each point to narrow the choice down. We weigh up the following considerations as part of our casino review process.
Security and fairness: Leading operators who run Iowa casinos have extensive experience in this area and should offer state-of-the-art security protocols. It’s also important to know that the games you are playing are run fairly.
Bonuses and promotions: Players expect to receive extra value through regular casino bonus offers. There should be a welcome offer, and regular boosts and bonuses at your chosen casino. Check out the terms to make sure you understand what you're getting.
Game selection: You want a good selection of slots and table games at the casino. It’s also important that the quality of the software being used is as premium as possible, so the range of game developers invited to share their products is a key consideration.
Mobile: Any operator that does not also offer a top-notch mobile casino option is really missing a trick. Many players now prefer to play on their mobile device, and there should either be an app or a version of the site that is accessed through a mobile web browser.
Banking methods: Even with free play, there may be times – such as in-app purchases – when real money is required. Be sure that your chosen operator will allow you to deposit and withdraw funds using a banking method that works well for you.
Customer support: Should you need to raise an issue, there should be plenty of customer support options – and a service that satisfies your need quickly and easily. This may include a toll-free phone number, email and a live chat function.
About Iowa's gambling laws
Gambling in Iowa has a complex background. The state made history as the first to legalize riverboat casinos in the '90s, and since then online sports betting has also been permitted. But how do real money online casinos match up? We'll take you through everything you need to know below.
Online casino gambling’s legal status in Iowa
Though sports betting was legalized in Iowa in 2019, there has been little movement when it comes to online casino gambling. In March 2023, bill HSB227 emerged that aimed to legalize online casino. However, the bill from State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann was unsuccessful. The future of online gambling is unclear for the state. Until a bill is legalized, online casino gamblers are restricted to social casinos, where you can enjoy a range of casino games but without gambling with real money.
What is the minimum gambling age in Iowa?
If you want to enjoy any form of gambling in Iowa, you need to be aged at least 21. Unusually, this even covers lottery, bingo, and horse racing – in many states, you can wager on these from 18. All casinos in Iowa, including social casinos, insist you are 21 or older.
Do you pay tax on gambling winnings in Iowa?
The IRS has made it clear that it considers all forms of gambling income as taxable. Naturally, this does not apply to social casinos, but if you wager at a brick-and-mortar casino or an online sportsbook, you should keep a record of your winnings and losses to ensure that you are assessed accurately for both state and federal taxes.
Who regulates online casinos in Iowa?
Online casinos are not yet legal, so there is no official regulatory body. However, most other forms of gambling in Iowa are regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. This includes online sportsbooks, social casinos, racetracks, and more.
Sports betting and online casinos in the US
Find the latest online gambling legislation updates for your state below.
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Which online casino games are available in Iowa?
Iowa's social casinos might not match the volume of games that real money brands offer, but the variety of gaming options is just as broad.
Slots
The majority of games at an online casino tend to be slot titles. Indeed, more than one social Iowa online casino offers slots alone. The quality of slot games seems to improve by the month as developers invest heavily in innovation and compete with each other.
Learn more in our online slots guide.
Blackjack
Not all of the social casinos in Iowa offer blackjack – but if you are a fan of this grand old game, you should be able to find a title or two with a bit of digging. Blackjack’s perennial popularity means there are plenty of online variations on its simple theme.
Learn more in our online blackjack guide.
Roulette
Another of the games without which a casino would not be complete. There are numerous video and live versions of roulette, and some of the social Iowa online casinos will enable you to play as if you were sitting at a table.
Learn more in our online roulette guide.
Poker
Poker is extremely popular, and there are plenty of poker rooms on offer at the leading physical casinos in Iowa. Social casino options are harder to find, but it’s worth seeking out the video versions of the game, which can cover a host of poker variations.
Learn more in our poker online casinos guide.
Sports betting
Iowa has more than a dozen sportsbooks available online where you can place wagers on your favorite action. There are also several casinos with a sports betting capability. None of the social casinos in the Hawkeye State feature sports betting – although WinView offer a similar experience that's gambling free.
Learn more in our Iowa sports betting guide.
Fantasy Sports
Iowa legalized Daily Fantasy Sports games in 2019, with the result that leading DFS operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings offer their services in the state. However, you will be unable to access DFS via any social casino.
Getting the best online casino bonuses
Iowa's free play social casinos still offer bonuses and promotions to add extra value to your gaming experience. When you sign up you should expect a welcome bonus and regular offers to follow. Always check the terms of any bonus to ensure it works for you.
Sign-up bonuses
You should expect to receive a welcome offer that gives you extra gaming power right from the start. At social casinos, this is usually in the form of a large number of coins or chips in your account.
Free spins
You should begin your time with any social casino with a large number of coins at your disposal. However, it’s always good to have free spins – either on a selected game, or any game of your choice – and this is another popular form of welcome offer.
Sweep coins
No real money is involved when you play at a sweepstakes casino, though with some you can spend cash to boost your number of coins. You may also be able to accumulate sweep coins. These allow you entry to sweepstake games, where you can win real cash. This is how some social casinos allow you to play for – and win – real money.
Refer a friend
This is one of the most popular promotions at all online casinos. If you introduce a buddy to the brand, and they register for an account, you might both qualify for a bonus that boosts the number of coins you have to play with.
Local casinos in Iowa
The 20 casinos in Iowa are scattered right across the state, which means you're never too far from a venue you can attend in person to enjoy casino gaming. Check out the different games on offer. And you should be able to play at any of these sites all year round, except over Christmas and Easter.
Making deposits and withdrawals for online gambling
When you are playing for real money, it matters greatly that you are able to deposit your funds in your gaming account as quickly and easily as possible. This will become important when real-money online casinos are legalized in Iowa. Check carefully that the Iowa online casino that you want to play caters for your preferred casino payment method. The best online operators offer a range of options, including:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- PayPal
- Wire transfers
- Paysafecard
- PayNearMe
- Bitcoin
Gambling responsibly in Iowa
We only ever endorse safe and responsible online gambling. However, we recognize that for some, online gambling can be a concern. Most casinos in the state operate self-exclusion programs, plus detailed and accessible information on keeping your gambling under control. If you're looking for help or advice, you can head to our responsible gambling hub or look to the official bodies in Iowa:
- Iowa Gaming Association: The Iowa Gaming Association (IGA) was created to support Iowa's gambling industry. They work with gambling treatment partners and offer several online resources.
- National Council on Problem Gambling: The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) offers FAQs, self-assessments, and treatment information, plus a helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) to connect you with help in Iowa.
- Your Life Iowa: Your Life Iowa is funded by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. They offer information, gambling screenings, guides, plus a helpline and online chat service.
- Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission: The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission offers a self-exclusion service for anyone struggling with their gambling. You can choose to exclude yourself from all casino, racetrack, sports betting, and fantasy sports operators licensed by the state.
FAQs
Can I play at online casinos in Iowa?
Yes, you can legally play at social or sweepstakes online casinos in Iowa. These sites let you play casino-style games, but not cashout real money. You can head to our shortlist to find some of our top recommended Iowa casino sites.
Can I gamble online for real money in Iowa?
No, online casino gambling is not permitted in Iowa. However, you can play at sweepstakes casinos which let you redeem virtual currency for real money prizes.
Are online casinos legal in Iowa?
Yes, but only social casinos at present. These are casinos where you play for free, so no real money is involved. Iowa has moved forward swiftly in the legalization of online sportsbooks, and is home to about 20 physical casinos.
What gambling apps are available in Iowa?
Most social Iowa online casinos have apps for iPhone and Android. They deliver a quality user experience and allow you to access the same range of games and bonuses available on the website. If you want to wager on sports, the leading sportsbook brands in the state also deliver high caliber mobile apps.
Can you play at Chumba Casino in Iowa?
Yes, Chumba is available in most US states including Iowa. Each online casino will have its state restrictions clearly stated. You won't be able to sign up if the casino is not permitted in your area.
Do I need to live in Iowa to play online casino games?
No, you don’t have to be an Iowa resident to play at the social casinos licensed to operate here. When it comes to other online forms of gambling such as online sportsbooks, you don’t have to be a resident but you do need to be physically located within state lines to be able to wager.
Are sweepstakes and fantasy sports legal in Iowa?
Yes, they are. Some social casinos operate sweepstake games. They get around the law prohibiting online casinos from running real-money games by allowing players to trade certain amounts of coins for tickets to sweepstake games that carry cash prizes. Daily Fantasy Sports games are also legal in Iowa and are offered by major operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel – though they are not available through social casinos.
Edited by Steve Bittenbender
Steve Bittenbender covers Midwest news for Casino.org, specializing in sports betting and horse racing. He joined the Casino.org news team in 2019, and previously covered sports, business and politics at the Associated Press and the Louisville Courier-Journal. He continues to contribute to Reuters. Steve lives in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife and son. He is an avid poker player, having learned from his uncle as a kid.
Fact Checked by Alexander Korsager
All US online casino details on this page were checked by our iGaming expert Alex. Last reviewed: Apr 18th 2024
