When vacationing in Iowa, a popular stop is to visit the Field Of Dreams movie site. If you’re not a film buff or into sports, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, or the Maquoketa Caves State Park are awaiting to be explored.
Betting options are also abundant for vacationers in Iowa. There is both retail and online sports betting, multiple land-based casinos, and live horse racing. A state lottery has operated in Iowa since 1985.
To legally gamble in Iowa you must be at least 21 years old.
Iowa is home to 23 land-based casinos. Four of these casinos are tribal run. The other 19 are commercially operated. One of the commercial casinos is a riverboat casino.
The following are among the most popular casino sites in the state.
Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel
- 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona, IA 50009
- (515) 526-7223
- prairiemeadows.com
The casino at Prairie Meadows offers the latest in slot machine technology, video poker, and progressives, as well as older favorites and classic reels. On the casino’s second level, there are both live and electronic table games featuring blackjack, roulette, craps and mini baccarat. Other available games include Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker and Mississippi Stud. Bad Beat Jackpot, Texas Hold’em and Omaha are accessible in the second-floor poker room. The Caesars Sportsbook is open every day from 11 am-8 pm.
Pari mutuel wagering on live thoroughbred and quarterhorse racing is offered from April-October at Prairie Meadows. There’s also simulcast wagering on tracks from near and far, and advance deposit wagering through TVG.
Hotel rooms and suites offer luxurious bedding, with DirecTV in every room. Rates begin at $160.10 per night. When it’s time to eat, on site dining options include AJ’s Steakhouse, The Paddock Grill and the Prairie Coffee Company. Local bands entertain at the Finish Line Show Lounge. The hotel also offers space to book meetings and other events.
Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
- 3184 IA-22, Riverside, IA 52327
- (319) 648-1234
- riversidecasinoandresort.com
Just 15 minutes south of Iowa City, the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort offers Vegas-style gaming, fine and casual dining and a world-class golf layout. Book a spa appointment or relax in the pool at the resort hotel. There are smoking and non-smoking rooms and suites that book for as low as $159.95 per night.
Among the six on site dining options are Ruthie’s Steak & Seafood, Robert’s Buffet and the Draft Day Sports Lounge. The Event Center features top acts like Todd Rundgren, Travis Tritt and Bret Michaels. Check out local bands at the Show Lounge. Tee it up at Blue Top Ridge, a championship golf course.
The casino features slots of all denominations and kinds, including massive progressive jackpots. You’ll also be able to access video poker and keno. There are smoking and non-smoking gaming areas and a high limit room for big-time players. Among 30 table games are craps, blackjack, roulette and baccarat, along with card games including Mississippi Stud, Face Up Pai Gow Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. There are also electronic table games featuring blackjack, craps, roulette and bubble dice.
A standalone poker room provides 10 tables of Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Bad Beat Jackpots. Wager on sports at the Elite Sportsbook’s ticket counter, or at any of the self-serve kiosks.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City
- 111 3rd St, Sioux City, IA 51101
- (844) 222-7625
- hardrockcasinosiouxsity.com
The casino at the Hard Rock in Sioux City starts out by offering a selection of 675 slots and video poker machines. The gaming floor includes a non-smoking section. Play table games like Double Deck Blackjack, roulette, craps, Face Up Pai-Gow, and Free Bet Blackjack. Progressives include such selections as Blazing 7s Blackjack, Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, or DJ Wild Poker. Side bet options provided are Trilux Blackjack, Trilux Super 3 Blackjack, Diceology Craps and Bad Beat Bonus Ultimate Texas Hold’em. Make your sports betting choices at one of six self-serve kiosks located around the casino floor.
Relax in style inside one of Hard Rock Hotel’s AAA Four Diamond-rated rooms and suites. There are pet friendly rooms and rates as low as $159 per night. Culinary delights await at Main & Abbey, or the Fuel American Grill. Watch the game and enjoy a cold one at The Yards or Anthem. A more relaxing time is offered inside the three-storey Lobby Bar.
It wouldn’t be the Hard Rock without offering access to world-class entertainment. Catch acts such as Carolina Rhea, ZZ Top and The All-American Rejects. Check out the Rock Shop for that unique rock and roll-themed gift. Business travelers can book a meeting room that includes on site catering.
Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs
- 2200 River Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
- (712) 328-8888
- ameristarcouncilbluffs.com
At Ameristar Council Bluffs, you’ll find access to 1,200 state-of-the-art slot machines with denominations ranging from one cent up to $100. There’s a high limit area and a wide selection of video poker, including single or multi-hand video poker. Blackjack, craps and roulette populate the table game area, with maximum bets reaching up to $5,000. Card players can get dealt in for a hand of Cajun Stud, Head’s Up Hold’em, DJ Wild Poker or Three Card Poker. The ESPN Bet Sportsbook is open daily to enable you to place your sports bets.
The resort hotel offers both king and queen rooms and suites. Book a whirlpool suite with a king bed for just $169.99 per night. Tuck into the braised short ribs or seafood fondue at the 1853 Bistro & Bar, or indulge yourself at the Summer BBQ Buffet. Grab a quick bite at Double Down Dogs, or enjoy some casual fare while inside the ESPN Bet Sportsbook.
Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort
- 1415 Grand Falls Blvd, Larchwood, IA 51241
- (712) 777-7777
- grandfallscasinoresort.com
Slots of all types and denominations, including progressive jackpots, keno and video poker are prevalent inside the Grand Falls Casino. Both live and electronic table games are also available. Play blackjack, craps, roulette, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. The private poker room features exclusive tournaments, bad beat jackpots, Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/L0, Big O and Seven Card Stud.
Bet sports at ticket counters inside the Elite Sportsbook, or at self-serve kiosks located throughout the casino floor. Grab a bite at The Sportsbook Bar & Grill. Other dining options include Ruthie’s Steak & Seafood, Robert’s Buffet and the Big Drop Cafe.
The Event Center books popular acts like Vicky Lawrence, Tommy James & The Shondells and Terry Fator. Local bands entertain at the Center Stage Lounge. Get pampered in The Spa, cool off in the pool, or play 18 holes at The Falls, A Rees Jones-designed golf course.
Casino Hotels in Iowa: Where to stay and play across the Hawkeye State
- Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel – Altoona
Modern casino with slots, video poker, table games, poker room, and Caesars Sportsbook. Live horse racing on-site. Hotel rooms from $160.10/night. Dining at AJ’s Steakhouse and The Paddock Grill. - Riverside Casino & Golf Resort – Riverside
Vegas-style casino south of Iowa City with slots, table games, poker, and Elite Sportsbook. Resort features spa, pool, 6 restaurants, and a championship golf course. Rooms from $159.95/night. - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City – Sioux City
675 slots, table games, progressives, poker room, and 6 sports betting kiosks. Stylish Four Diamond hotel, multiple bars, Main + Abbey restaurant, and concerts from national acts. Rooms from $159/night. - Ameristar Casino Hotel – Council Bluffs
1,200 slot machines, table games, high-limit area, and ESPN Bet Sportsbook. King and queen rooms, whirlpool suites from $169.99. Dining at 1853 Bistro, BBQ buffet, and quick-service spots. - Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort – Larchwood
Slots, video poker, poker tournaments, live and electronic table games, plus sportsbook. Resort spa, golf course by Rees Jones, and live music. Room rates vary by season.
Horse Racing Bets
Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona offers pari mutuel wagering on both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. The thoroughbred meet runs from the end of April to the middle of August. The quarter horse meet goes from August through October.
Simulcast wagering on other tracks and online advance deposit wagering are also offered to horseplayers in the Hawkeye State.
Iowa Online Sports Betting: The Best Sportsbooks in Iowa Right Now
There are 14 online sportsbooks operating in Iowa. These betting sites include:
- Bet365,
- BetRivers IA,
- Fanatics,
- Caesars,
- Fan Duel,
- DraftKings Iowa Sportsbook.
Visitors to Iowa who are 21 years of age or older can open an account with any of these sites and bet on sports while they are physically located in Iowa.
Retail and online sports betting was legalized in Iowa in May of 2019. By August of that year, the first bets were being placed in the state.
Iowa online sports betting markets: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports, boxing, MMA/UFC, soccer, tennis, golf, auto racing, cornhole, futsal, Gaelic Games, rugby, cricket, chess, darts, surfing.
Iowa online sports betting types: Moneylines, point spreads, runlines, pucklines, totals, futures, parlays, same-game parlays, player, team and game props, live betting, micro betting, double chance, forecast, double result, grand salami, reverse forecast, round robin, teasers.
Iowa Online Casinos? Only Sweepstakes Sites
A March 2023 bill introduced in the state legislature designed to legalize online casino gambling in the state didn’t get very far along the procedural route before dying.
If you want to play online casino games while visiting Iowa, your best bets are free to play sweepstakes casinos like Pulz, Hello Millions and High 5 Casinos.
All Gambling Options in Iowa
- DraftKings Sportsbook Iowa
- Prairie Meadows Casino & Hotel
- Caesars Sportsbook
- TVG
- Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
- Elite Sportsbook
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City
- Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs
- ESPN Bet Sportsbook
- Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort
- Pulz Casino (sweepstakes)
- Hello Millions Casino (sweepstakes)
- High 5 Casino (sweepstakes)
- Bet365 Sportsbook Iowa
- BetRivers Sportsbook Iowa
- Fanatics Sportsbook Iowa
- Caesars Sportsbook Iowa
- FanDuel Sportsbook Iowa
