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If you’re in Iowa and looking for a great casino, you’re in luck! From small casinos through to huge resorts, there’s plenty to keep casino gaming enthusiasts entertained. On this page, we’ll show you the casino hotspots throughout the state, plus information about gambling history and taxes in Iowa, so you know what to expect.
Of the 21 casinos in Iowa, four are Indian casinos, which are also sometimes called tribal casinos or Native American casinos. These are located on tribal land and are therefore not bound to the same rules as commercial casinos in the state. Below you can see the three best Indian casinos in Iowa.
Racinos are hugely popular in many states throughout the country. They give visitors two gambling experiences in one, as there’s horse racing or dog racing, as well as a casino. So, it’s possible to have a bet on the horses, before then heading to the casino and playing some slots for a while. There are two racinos in Iowa, one of which offers greyhound racing and the other of which has horse racing. Both of them are shown below.
1 Prairie Meadows Dr , Des Moines , IA 50009 , USA
Slots:
1700
Table Games:
44
Poker Tables:
11
Min Bet:
$0.01
Max Bet:
N/A
Opening Hours:
24/7
Dining:
Yes
Bars:
Yes
Attractions:
Yes
Are There Cruise Ship or Riverboat Casinos in Iowa?
It used to be the law that casinos in Iowa had to be on the water, however, the law was changed in 2004, allowing casinos to be located in moored barges in manmade areas of water. Therefore, most are now closer to commercial casinos than riverboat casinos. Ameristar Council Bluffs is still a riverboat casino though and offers loads of exciting games. There are no cruise ships in Iowa, as it’s nowhere near the sea!
Full Iowa Casino List
Below, you’ll find a full list of Iowa casinos, from racinos through to Indian casinos. With 21 casinos in the state, there is a great chance that you’ll find at least one casino in Iowa that’s just right for you.
Choose a City
Choose a Type
All Casinos in Council Bluffs
Ameristar Council Bluffs
2200 River Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Council Bluffs
Harrah’s Council Bluffs
1 Harrah’s Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Commercial
Council Bluffs
Horseshoe Council Bluffs
2701 23rd Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Commercial
Council Bluffs
Prairie Flower Casino
1031 Avenue H, Council Bluffs, IA 51510
Indian Casino
Council Bluffs
All Casinos in Davenport
Rhythm City Casino Resort
7077 Elmore Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807
Commercial
Davenport
Catfish Bend Casino
3001 Winegard Dr, Burlington, IA 52601
Commercial
Davenport
Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
3184 IA-22, Riverside, IA 52327
Commercial
Davenport
Wild Rose Casino & Resort
777 Wild Rose Dr, Clinton, IA 52732
Commercial
Davenport
Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf
1777 Isle Pkwy, Bettendorf, IA 52722
Commercial
Davenport
All Casinos in Des Moines
Prairie Meadows
1 Prairie Meadows Dr, Des Moines, IA 50009
Racinos
Des Moines
Lakeside Hotel Casino
777 Casino Drive, Osceola, IA 50213
Commercial
Des Moines
Meskwaki Casino Hotel
1504 305th St, Tama, IA 52339
Indian Casino
Des Moines
Wild Rose Casino & Resort, Jefferson
777 Wild Rose Rd, Jefferson, IA 50129
Commercial
Des Moines
All Casinos in Sioux City
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City
111 3rd St, Sioux City, IA 51101
Commercial
Sioux City
Blackbird Bend Casino
17214 210th St, Onawa, IA 51040
Indian Casino
Sioux City
Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort
1415 Grand Falls Blvd, Larchwood, IA 51241
Commercial
Sioux City
Wild Rose Casino & Resort, Emmetsburg
777 Main St, Emmetsburg, IA 50536
Commercial
Sioux City
Winnavegas Casino & Resort
1500 330th St, Sloan, IA 51055
Indian Casino
Sioux City
All Casinos in Waterloo
Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo
777 Isle of Capri Blvd, Waterloo, 50701
Commercial
Waterloo
Casino Queen Marquette
100 Anti Monopoly, Marquette, IA 52158
Commercial
Waterloo
Q Casino and Hotel
1855 Greyhound Park Rd, Dubuque, IA 52001
Racinos
Waterloo
Expected New Casinos
Beyond a couple of projects that may not see the light of day, there are currently no plans to open any new casinos in Iowa. Otherwise, business does appear to be booming for the existing casino venues, leading to several expansion projects to provide more facilities and gaming space.
Gambling in Iowa
Looking to find out how old you need to be to gamble in Iowa casinos? Or perhaps you want to find out what types of games there are in casinos in Iowa? Either way, you’ll find the answers when you look through the facts on gambling in Iowa below.
Quite simply, you’ll find the full range of games at Iowa casinos. This means you’ll be able to play slots, blackjack, roulette and more. You can even now bet on sports at many of the best casinos in Iowa. Take a look below to see some examples of the games you’ll be able to play when you visit the top Iowa casinos.
Slot
Dancing Drums
Fu Nan Fu Yu
Wonder Woman Wild
Quick Hit Platinum
88 Fortunes
Mighty Cash Big Money
17300+ slot machines
Types: Traditional Reel, Video Reel, Video Poker Free Slot Tournaments
Popular providers: Aristocrat, Bally
Casino Poker
Pai Gow Poker
Texas Hold’em Bonus
Mississippi Stud
3 Card Poker
Poker Cash and Poker Tournaments
NL Hold’em
Limit Hold’em
Omaha
Omaha Hi-Lo
Criss Cross Poker
7 Card Stud Hi-Lo
421 poker tables in the state
Roulette
American Roulette
Double Zero Roulette
Blackjack
Blackjack
21+3
Free Bet Blackjack
Tri Lux Blackjack
21+3 Extreme Blackjack
Double Deck Blackjack
Many different side games offered
Dice Games
Craps
Shoot to Win Craps
Craps (Fire Bet)
Sharp Shooter
Lottery Games
Bingo
Other Games
Baccarat
Dai Bacc
Video Poker
Mini-Baccarat
High Card Flush
Match ‘Em Hi-Lo
Sports Betting
Football
Basketball
Baseball
Hockey
Soccer
Horse Racing
Legal to bet on all sports in Iowa, in retail venues or using a mobile
Gambling Legal Situation in Iowa
When was casino gambling legalized in Iowa? Indian casinos were permitted by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. Iowa then allowed commercial casinos in 1991, but only on riverboats. Commercial casinos not on riverboats are now permitted.
Online gambling There is no online casino gambling allowed in Iowa, however those in the state can use the internet to bet on sport.
What is the legal gambling age in Iowa? The minimum age for all major types of gambling in Iowa is 21.
Can you smoke in Iowa casinos? Casinos in Iowa are not part of the Smokefree Air Act, meaning that smoking in casinos is permitted. Different venues will have different rules.
Horse racing / Off-Track betting It is legal to bet on horse racing in Iowa.
Dog racing / Off-Track betting It’s legal to bet on dog racing in the state. Iowa is only one of a few states where greyhound races are held.
Iowa charitable gaming Charitable gaming, including bingo and raffles, are legal in Iowa.
Other legal restrictions Sports betting has recently been legalized in Iowa and can be done in retail venues and online.
Taxation of Winnings
As is the case in all states, federal tax of 24% must be paid on wins over a specific threshold. This threshold differs from game to game, however it is $1,200 for slots. You’ll also have to pay federal tax if you win 300x or more than your stake. You will also find that you’ll have to pay an income tax on anything over $600 per year – the tax rate varies depending on how much you win, as well as how much you earn. You might also find that there’s a local sales tax as well.
Prize ($)
Iowa Gross Income Tax (%)
$600+ per year (any prize)
Varies
Iowa Gambling Laws
Looking to find out about gambling laws in Iowa? If so, the two most important pieces of legislation are Iowa Code 99 and Iowa Code 725.5, which regulate gambling and betting respectively. Another important piece of legislation was passed in 2019, which allowed sports betting in the state.
Code 99, Iowa (Gambling Houses) et seq.: Regulates gambling in Iowa.
Code 725.5, Iowa (Gambling and Betting) et seq.: Regulates betting in the state.
SF671, SF671: Legalized retail and online sports betting in the state.
History
Take a look at the chronological list below to find out about how gambling in Iowa has changed over the years…
1846: All types of gambling are prohibited in Iowa.
1973: Specific individuals and organizations are given permission to offer games of chance, such as bingo and raffles.
1983: Pari-mutuel betting at horse and dog racing tracks is legalized.
1985: A state lottery is authorized, and the first draw takes place in the same year.
1988: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 paves the way for Indian casinos throughout the country.
1989: Riverboat casinos are legalized in Iowa. Four riverboat casinos open in the same year.
1994: Slot machines are allowed at pari-mutuel racetracks.
2019: Iowa legalizes both retail and online sports betting. Daily fantasy sports are also legalized.
Upcoming Changes in the Gambling Regulation
Currently there are no upcoming changes to gambling regulation in Iowa. The state has only just rolled out sports betting, so it will probably be a while before any other changes are made to the gambling laws in the state.
FAQ
How much can you win at a casino in Iowa before being taxed?
If you win $600 or over, you’ll need to pay income tax. The amount varies depending on the win amount and how much you earn. As with all other states, a 24% federal tax will also be levied if you win over a specific amount.
How do I ban myself from casinos in Iowa?
The Iowa Gaming Association offers a self-exclusion program. If you sign up, your information is shared with all commercial casinos in the state. Tribal casinos are not part of the scheme.
How much can you win at a casino in Iowa before being taxed?
If you win $600 or over, you’ll need to pay income tax. The amount varies depending on the win amount and how much you earn. As with all other states, a 24% federal tax will also be levied if you win over a specific amount.
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