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While the Hawkeye State has excellent real-money gambling opportunities in land-based casinos, the same cannot be said for their online counterparts. But since the state legalized online betting in 2019, there might be a chance for online casinos.
In this article, you’ll find out how and where to play Iowa real money casino games. Furthermore, we’ll discuss some of the most popular Class III games and inform you about their legality in Iowa.
Are Real-Money Casino Games Legal in Iowa?
Before 1983, Iowa didn’t have any gambling legislation. The same year, horse racing and dog races were legalized thanks to Iowa Code Chapter 99D.
In 1985, the state lottery was added to the mix. Four years later, the first riverboat casinos were launched, but it wasn’t until 1991 that they opened their doors to Iowan players. This paved the way for the expansion of the gambling industry, and, in 1992, three tribal land-based casinos saw the light of day.
Currently, the Hawkeye State boasts 23 brick-and-mortar casinos (18 commercial and four tribal casinos, and one racino), with most of them situated in Council Bluffs. Real-money game fans are spoiled for choice as all Class III games are permitted here.
However, online casino enthusiasts aren’t that fortunate. Iowa has never introduced any bill that would regulate online casinos. The chance for that exists, though, especially after the state legalized online betting and daily fantasy sports in 2019.
Thus, sweepstakes casinos are the only option for Iowans. When it comes to legal online games, these offer slots, table games, and poker. Although they don’t use real money, you can win prizes and even cash. Another alternative includes offshore casinos, as they do not fall under Iowa’s jurisdiction.
Iowa Online Casino Laws
If you want to play real-money games in Iowa, we suggest you learn the specifics of the following laws on online and offline gambling:
- Iowa Code, Section 725.7 — Gambling and Betting — Penalty
- Iowa Code, Chapter 99B — Social and Charitable Gambling
- Iowa Code, Chapter 99F — Gambling Games and Sports Wagering Regulation
- Iowa Administrative Code r. 491-11.9 — Slot Machine Requirements
- Iowa Administrative Code r. 491-11.5 — Gambling Games Authorized
- Senate File 617
How to Register at Real-Money Casinos
Before joining an online casino, you need to register to play. However, not all casinos are the same in terms of reliability and quality. You have to register on a platform that holds a valued license, offers a slew of games and bonuses, and has an established reputation.
If you are searching for the perfect online casino where you can play real-money games, we have got you covered. Scrolling up to the top of the page, you’ll find a list of operators that have undergone our testing procedures and met our criteria. You cannot go wrong, as each has a license and employs security measures to ensure secure gameplay for all players.
Follow these steps to register at one of them:
Pick a casino from our list that appeals to you. Click on its name, and it will take you to the official website directly.
Hit the Register or Sign Up button to create an account.
Fill in all the necessary information to complete the sign-up form. These usually include your name, date of birth, email, phone number, and address.
Verify your account if the casino demands it.
Now you can log in to your account and top it up with the desired amount.
Pick the game you like and start playing. Good luck!
Best Real-Money Casino Games in Iowa
Residents of the Hawkeye State are free to enjoy any Class III games in land-based casinos. This refers to roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, slots, and other table games. Currently, Iowa is home to 23 brick-and-mortar tribal and commercial gambling establishments.
Another alternative is visiting offshore casinos that are not state-licensed but operate from foreign jurisdictions. Thus, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission doesn’t oversee them. Since online gambling is not regulated in Iowa, many think this loophole permits them to join these online platforms as they technically do not break any law.
Nevertheless, many offshore websites provide a safe gambling environment because they hold licenses from internationally known regulatory bodies and employ the necessary safety measures. Plus, they allow you to play the games in demo mode, which means you can experience the thrill without risking your cash.
We’ll discuss the popular real-money games below and how they are perceived in the eyes of IO law.
Blackjack
This casino classic is a game of luck and strategy. It is one of those games that are easy to learn but hard to master.
Players play against the dealer, and the goal is to get as close as possible to 21 without exceeding it. Otherwise, you “go bust,” which means you lose automatically, regardless of the dealer’s hand total.
Blackjack is also one of the games with the highest RTP.
Iowans can enjoy 21 at land-based casinos, sweepstakes and social sites, and offshore gambling sites. Some popular blackjack variants in Iowa’s brick-and-mortar venues include:
- Free Bet Blackjack
- Blazing 7’s Blackjack
- Spanish 21
- Multi-Hand Blackjack
- Double Deck Blackjack
Slots
Slot games typically comprise the most significant portion of any land-based or online casino portfolio. They are 100% games of chance, and players can enjoy numerous titles from renowned industry software developers.
Aside from regular slots and video slots with various themes and special features, these operators also offer progressive jackpots with the possibility of winning a hefty prize.
You will find them in riverboats, commercial casinos, and one racino in Iowa. Some of them, like Prairie Meadows Casino, feature 2,000 slot machines, and it is estimated that all of them have more than 20,000 slots on offer.
Roulette
Roulette caters to both seasoned players and beginners as it is impossible to predict the outcome of a spin.
The game is one of the easiest to learn, and it is also extremely popular among table game players.
The action centers around a spinning wheel with 37 or 38 numbered slots and a tiny ball. The aim is to predict where the ball will come to rest on the wheel.
There is hardly any casino in Iowa that doesn’t offer roulette, but you’ll have to travel to the nearest one. Land-based casinos in Iowa offer both live table roulette and video roulette with a minimum bet of $0.01 and a maximum bet of $10,000.
On the other hand, if you play on offshore gaming platforms, you’ll almost always find popular variations, such as:
- European
- American
- French
- Rapid Roulette
Baccarat
Baccarat has become popular in recent years, right after roulette and blackjack. This comparing card game involves the player and the dealer; whoever has a hand total closer to nine wins.
Commercial and tribal casinos in Iowa offer players baccarat variations that include:
- Midi Baccarat
- Bad Beat Baccarat
- 5-Treasures Baccarat
On top of that, players have the opportunity to play Siamese Baccarat as Prairie Meadows Casino featured the first table of this game variation in the US. This baccarat variant can hold up to 36 players, twice as many as a standard table.
Offshore casinos’ baccarat portfolio is even more versatile. You can expect to find popular variations like Punto Banco, Baccarat Chemin de Fer, and Baccarat Banque in almost any of them.
Other Table Games
Besides the games discussed above, online and offline casinos offer other table games, such as poker and craps.
Poker may be a game of skill and one that is challenging to master, but it attracts veterans, casual players, and beginners.
The most common variants at Iowa’s brick-and-mortar casinos are:
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em
- Mississippi Stud
- Pai Gow Poker
- Omaha
Luckily, these games cater to all budgets as they feature different bet ranges, so you’ll have no problem finding the one that fits yours.
If you opt for online poker, you’ll find even more variations of this casino classic. It is also important to note that more and more casinos include other table games like Andar Bahar, Sic Bo, Dragon Tiger, etc.
Video Poker
Video poker combines the simplicity of slot games and the excitement of poker. It applies the same set of rules and strategies as regular poker games.
Since video poker slowly became a staple in many casinos, you can naturally find it in Iowa. It is estimated that all of Iowa’s land-based casinos host more than 200 video poker machines.
When it comes to their online counterparts, you can find them on most gambling platforms.
Jacks or Better, Joker Poker, Deuces Wild, Aces and Faces are the most popular video poker variations.
Live Dealer
Players who don’t want to visit land-based casinos can opt for live dealer games in offshore casinos, as online ones are not legalized in Iowa.
Unlike other games discussed above, these have the human component in trying to recreate the authentic casino experience. These games are live-streamed from professional studios where you can see the dealer and the entire gameplay.
Most offshore sites offer live variants of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, and craps.
The iGaming industry even went further by introducing more popular game shows, such as:
- Monopoly Live
- Dream Catcher
- Deal or No Deal
- Sic Bo, and others.
Useful Guides for Iowa Players
Iowa online casinos games can be difficult to understand especially with all the laws that govern their use, so here are some excellent, easy to read and in-depth guides to get you started.
Conclusion
Although online casino games are off-limits for Iowa residents, they can travel to the nearest land-based casino or join offshore gambling platforms. If you opt for the latter, don’t forget to pick one from our list, as they allow you to play your favorite real-money games stress-free.
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