Are you interested in playing online poker in Iowa but don’t know where to start? With so many different poker sites out there, it can be difficult to choose a legitimate one. Fortunately, we’ve done the research for you and have narrowed down the best options to a list of six.
Our comprehensive analysis ranks these six sites based on their pros and cons, helping you make an informed decision. Additionally, we offer a range of helpful resources for potential poker players, such as effective poker strategies, information on Iowa’s state poker laws, local live poker venues, and more.
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List of the Best IA Poker Sites
Here’s the list of the top 5 online poker websites according to our research. All of the websites below are based offshore and are completely secure.
- BetOnline – The No.1 Online Poker Site in Iowa
- Bovada – Best Online Poker Platform with Anonymous Tables
- Everygame – Online Poker Site with a Great Welcome Bonus
- SportsBetting.ag – New Online Poker Tournaments Every Week
- Ignition – Top Online Poker Site with the Best Tournaments
- Juicy Stakes – Specializes In Poker For US Players
The Latest IA Poker News
Online poker is not legalized and regulated by the state of Iowa. As a result, there isn’t much news to talk about when it comes to online poker in Iowa. However, these are the latest developments when it comes to poker news in Iowa:
Feburary 2012 – An Iowa legislative subcommittee gives their consent for Senate Study Bill 3164, passing it on to the Senate State Government Committee for evaluation. This bill would have opened the way for intrastate online gambling in Iowa. SSB3164 passes the Senate State Government Committee, is sent to the Senate and passes through 29-20, but is not submitted to the House vote.
May 2019 – Sports betting is legalized in Iowa, paving the way for more iGaming regulation potentially including online poker.
January 2022 – Rep. Robert Kaufmann introduces a new bill, House Study Bill 604, which is intended to legalize online casinos in the state. Online poker would be included in this bill.
February 2022 – Just like SSB3164 before it, HSB604 passes through several subcommittees but dies in the House before it can be put to a vote.
May 2022 – House File 2497 is passed, blocking new land-based casinos from opening for the next two years. This affects the chances of any new poker rooms opening in the state, but does not necessarily mean that there’s no chance for expansion into online poker by existing land-based casinos. Notably, this doesn’t stop new riverboat casinos either.
Reviews of the Best IA Poker Sites
1. BetOnline – The No.1 Overall Nevada Online Poker Site
- Payout Time: Up to 24 Hours
- Established: 1991
- License: Panama
- Headquarters: Panama
Our Verdict: 4.7/5
BetOnline is an online poker room website that has been operating for many years. As such, it has a reputation as one of the most trustworthy offshore casinos in the industry. BetOnline allows players to switch between their poker, sports, and casino categories seamlessly using their versatile gaming platform, all with a single account. The interface is easy to navigate and has a clean, modern design, which allows players to access games and tournaments with ease.
BetOnline is a participant of the Chico Poker Network, which means that you can count on them to provide fair poker action with a huge player pool. BetOnline has been the top poker room in Iowa for many years, and doesn’t seem likely to lose that title anytime soon. You can play games on BetOnline through their website or their downloadable client. Registering with BetOnline is a quick and painless process no matter where you are in the US, and once you’re in you’ll be playing real cash games within minutes thanks to a super quick deposit process.
The poker games you’ll find on BetOnline are provided by a few different suppliers. Live games are covered by Visionary iGaming and Fresh Deck Games, both of which run Texas Hold’em and Omaha games. They’re not 24/7 however, so you’ll have to check in to find out if there’s any open tables. The real action is to be found in the software poker tables, which are run by RealTime Gaming. It’s an excellent poker client that gives you the freedom to play multiple games simultaneously.
There’s automatic betting features if you need to step away from the table for a second but don’t want to fold on a good hand, which we found extremely useful. You can look back through your previously played games using the poker history readout in the chat. Generally, we found players on BetOnline aren’t very chatty – they’re focused on the action. That said, there’s a good split between experienced tables and newer players so you won’t find yourself up against sharks the whole time.
Poker Game Variety at BetOnline: 4.7/5
BetOnline offers many different varieties of poker, including Texas Hold’em and Omaha. On top of those two, BetOnline also offers Windfall Poker, Six Plus Hold’em, and Boost Poker, and a couple other poker games offered only on this website. Cash game poker stakes start at as little as $0.01, with Pot Limits and no limit games being accessible as well. Tournaments are held throughout the week, many of which are GTD. You’ll find plenty of Sit & Go tournaments, so even if you’re pressed for time there’s still tournament action available.
Payment Options: 4.0/5
BetOnline offers a large selection of methods to deposit or withdraw funds from your account. These methods include conventional methods such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, and various cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Litecoin. Most payout methods have a payout time of up to 24 hours, while some methods such as wire transfers and person-to-person transfers might take longer than 24 hours.
Customer Support: 4.3/5
BetOnline’s customer service is top notch, and can be contacted by phone, email, or live chat. On top of their customer service, their FAQ and “Help Center” pages can help you easily find the information you need, whether it is related to your account, bonuses, wagering, or casino. Their live chat staff were pleasant and courteous when we got in touch, quickly answering our questions on payment times and bonuses.
Bonuses & Promos: 4.2/5
BetOnline offers fantastic bonuses and promos for new and regular poker players alike. Their poker sign-up bonus allows you to double your first deposit in bonus money, which is released back to you as you play. Not only are there welcome bonuses, but you’ll also find things like seasonal promotions as well as play and win leaderboards. To find out more about these bonuses and promos, please visit the dedicated poker promotion website on BetOnline. Make sure to make use of the BetOnline promo codes to get your first deposit bonus.
Bonus name Bonus amount Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit Bitcoin accepted? Poker Sign-up Offer 100% up to $500 BOLCASINO $5 for $50 rake $50 ✅ Pros:
- Excellent app for IOS and Android
- Great poker tournaments
- Top of the line 24/7 customer service
- Generous promotions
Cons:
- Wire transfer costs aren’t exactly ideal
- Poker games aren’t anonymous
2. Bovada – Best Online Poker Platform with Anonymous Tables
- Payout Time: Up to 72 hours
- Established: 2011
- License: Curaçao
- Headquarters: Canada
Our Verdict: 4.7/5
With more than a decade of experience under their belt, Bovada is a premier online poker site not just in the state of Iowa, but all over the world. Bovada operates a variety of services, ranging from sports betting, casinos, poker, and even horse racing. All of the previously mentioned categories can be accessed through a single user account after a quick signup process. Bovada’s poker platform is available on many platforms, including IOS and Android through a mobile browser.
Both the desktop and mobile site feature a sleek and easy-to-use UI. Notable poker features for Bovada include cash games and play money games, regular tournaments, and bankroll management. Since Bovada is a big, global platform, you’re never going to have trouble finding players to play with, no matter the time of the day.
Bovada is easily the best choice for players who are new to the game of poker, but veterans of the game will also be right at home. The demo modes allow you to try out new strategies or just get familiar with how the flow of poker works before you start playing cash games. Bovada also provides a gigantic library of articles and video essays on how to play the game, as well as many other table games available through Bovada. Even experienced players might find themselves learning a thing or two from Bovada’s advanced articles.
You’ll find Texas Hold’em and Omaha games at almost any time of day thanks to Bovada’s global player pool. There’s also multiple tournaments available at any one time, with registration up to a month ahead of the game. Late registration is also possible for an extra fee.
Poker Game Variety at Bovada: 4.7/5
Bovada offers a variety of poker games on their platform, together with a large amount of stake and table options that will serve to fit any budget. The platform offers Texas Hold’em and Omaha poker variation together with no-limit, pot-limit, and fixed-limit options. Bovada also provides two types of poker tournaments, single-table and multi-table.
Payment Options: 4.0/5
Bovada offers a wide variety of payment options, as you would expect from a large-scale provider. Players from the state of Iowa can choose from many different options, ranging from wire transfer, Visa, and MasterCard for the orthodox options, to cryptocurrency options such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, and more. Deposits are instant, but withdrawing your money via wire transfer can take up to two weeks to process. Cryptocurrency options, on the other hand, only take up to 48 hours and usually clear within 24.
Customer Support: 4.3/5
Bovada’s customer support seems adequate, with the main focus of it being their help center. Bovada advises you to look through their help center first to answer your question, which of course includes an FAQ and more. If you couldn’t find the answer you were looking for, Bovada then advises you to talk to one of their live chat operators. In addition to these, Bovada offers a user forum where you can ask questions to other Bovada users, a very handy feature when you want to learn more about a particular type of game.
Bonuses & Promos: 4.2/5
Bovada emphasizes the online poker signup bonus when talking about bonuses and promotions. You’ll be able to claim up to $500 in bonus money for your first deposit. The selection of bonuses for specialized poker games is rather limited when compared to other offshore sites on the market. The Bovada Casino Reward program, on the other hand, allows you to collect points and redeem them at any time for cash bonuses. Use your Bovada promo code when claiming your bonuses.
Bonus name Bonus amount Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit Bitcoin accepted? Poker Sign-up Offer 100% up to $500 CAWELCOME100 N/A $10 ✅ Pros:
- Great mobile app
- Large user base
- User forums are very helpful
- Anonymous poker tables
Cons:
- Does not have live dealer poker
- Low withdrawal limits
3. Everygame – Online poker site with a great welcome bonus
- Payout Time: Up to 48 Hours
- Established: 1996
- License: Kahnawake Gaming Commission
- Headquarters: Antigua
Our Verdict: 4.7/5
Everygame is up next on our list. Everygame is a relatively modernized online poker platform, founded in 1996 and rebranded in 2022. Combining their years of expertise together with a modern look, Everygame is a good candidate for one of the best online poker websites today.
Everygame offers two ways to play, either through their website using a browser, or through their dedicated poker app. Their website also functions as a casino website and offers a myriad of features and games to try out. Being a major online poker provider, Everygame receives significant traffic from not just the state of Iowa, but worldwide.
Poker Game Variety at Everygame: 4.7/5
Everygame offers a large selection of poker games and varieties to its users. Everygame, while offering some additional variations to the standard Texas Hold’em and Omaha formats, also features a couple different variations, and different stake levels as the icing on the cake. A variety of different tournaments are also offered throughout the day to provide additional variety. To top it all off, Everygame also gives its users a chance to accumulate loyalty points with each wager they place on the platform.
Payment Options: 4.9/5
Everygame offers a great amount of payment options, both for deposits and withdrawals. Conventional options offered by Everygame include Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, while Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin are offered as the main cryptocurrency options. Everygame also offers some further options on top of the previously mentioned ones, including EcoPayz, SEPA, Paysafecard, and eZeeWallet. Payments on Everygame are processed relatively quickly and are cost free, making them a great choice for frugal players.
Customer Support: 4.7/5
Everygame features a solid support section on their website, from which users can check out their FAQ, or reach their customer service. While a phone number for their customer service is not listed, Everygame staff responds quite swiftly to any email or live chat request, every day of the week, 24 hours a day.
Bonuses & Promos: 4.2/5
As Everygame does not only offer poker on their website, but also offers sports betting, and casino services, the incentives and bonuses are relatively spread throughout all their services. For poker players, they offer a welcome bonus and a reload bonus. On top of those, Everygame features their own loyalty program, in which you can earn loyalty points and exchange them for rewards and benefits. Make sure to use the Everygame promo code.
Bonus name Bonus amount Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit Bitcoin accepted? Poker Sign-up Offer 200% up to $1,000 INSIDERS1 30x $25 ✅ Pros:
- Generous loyalty program that rewards players
- Enticing welcome bonuses
- Low buy-in tournaments
- Dedicated poker application
Cons:
- Welcome bonus unlocks in stages
- Poker game variety could be a little better
4. SportsBetting.ag – Top online poker site with great mobile app
- Payout Time: Up to 48 Hours
- Established: 2011
- License: Panama
- Headquarters: USA
Our Verdict: 4.65/5
SportsBetting.ag is another very well regarded offshore poker room. On top of poker, SportsBetting.ag also offers a casino and sports betting. SportsBetting.ag offers a desktop app on top of the usual mobile apps, making for a pleasant experience.
Since the website operates worldwide, SportsBetting.ag offers a large shared player pool, making for a player base with a large variety of skill levels. Realtime Gaming, a leading provider of anonymous online poker games, manages the poker offerings on SportsBetting.ag. We enjoyed playing a few hands on the RTG poker interface, which features a CGI rendering of a genuine poker table complete with realistic chips and cards. This creates an authentic gambling atmosphere similar to that of a physical casino, while still giving you access to all the advanced features that come with software poker.
These advanced features absolutely help up the level of your poker game, including a hand history archive that you can review at your leisure, automated betting options to keep you in the hand when you’re temporarily busy, and play money games to get a feel for new methods of play.
Finding an available table to play was never a problem during our time playing on SportsBetting.ag, with typically 200 to 300 players in the poker lobby at any given moment split across both Texas Hold’em and Omaha games. However, this number can soar into the thousands during major tournaments. The games are offered at a variety of stakes, ranging from $0.05/$0.10 to $10/$20, making it accessible to players of all budgets.
Poker Game Variety at SportsBetting.ag: 4.7/5
SportsBetting.ag features a good range of Texas Hold’em and Omaha options if you’re looking to play either one of these variants. Cash limits begin at $0.01, and the platform offers no limit or limit games at different times of the day. With a very active player base, this platform is one of the easiest to pick up and play if you’re interested in Hold’em or Omaha.
Payment Options: 4.0/5
SportsBetting.ag’s payments are more skewed towards the crypto side. While they still offer conventional methods such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, these come with relatively high fees. Bitcoin is your best option when it comes to SportsBetting.ag, making the process as cheap as possible and hassle-free. Recieving your money via bank transfer or money order is expensive and can take several weeks to process, while cryptocurrency withdrawl settles within a day and comes with a low fee. You’re limited to a minimum withdrawal of $20, which is pretty reasonable compared to some other casinos.
Customer Support: 4.8/5
SportsBetting.ag offers fantastic customer support. With a myriad of customer support channels including live chat, email, or phone, all available 24/7, this platform is definitely no slouch when it comes to customer service. You can also contact them through their social media page.
Bonuses & Promos: 4.2/5
When you visit the SportsBetting.ag Poker website, you can get to the specific online poker promotions page. Among the offerings you’ll find here are a welcome bonus, seasonal specials, leaderboard competitions with prizes, jackpots, and sit and go events with sizable prize pools. Don’t forget to make use of the SportsBetting.ag promo code when claiming a bonus!
Bonus name Bonus amount Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit Bitcoin accepted? Poker Sign-up Offer 100% up to $1,000 SB1000 $5 for $50 rake $50 ✅ Pros:
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- High deposit limit for Bitcoin
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Cons:
- Transaction fees are relatively high when it comes to conventional options
- Withdrawal options are fairly limited
5. Ignition – Top online poker site with the best tournaments
- Payout Time: Up to 5 days
- Established: 2016
- License: Curacao
- Headquarters: Curacao
Our Verdict: 4.7/5
Ignition Casino is another premier online poker platform, featuring many other games aside from poker as well. With their great server uptime and reliable service, Ignition Casino’s reputation precedes them.
Ignition Casino also features live dealer games on their platform for additional variety. With very well optimized mobile and desktop websites, as well as desktop and mobile apps, playing poker with Ignition is always a seamless experience. Individuals who reside in Iowa are allowed to engage in thrilling poker action at Ignition, albeit through the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to bypass geographical restrictions.
Upon overcoming this obstacle, players will be able to partake in an exceptional array of poker games, in addition to some of the most superior poker tournaments available online. For novices who are interested in gaining experience in high-stakes games, there is an extensive collection of Sit & Go tournaments to participate in. Conversely, seasoned poker players can test their expertise by competing in the Super Millions Poker Open. Ignition’s poker tournaments are some of the highest stakes out there, so they’re definitely one to go with if you’re a strong poker player.
Poker Game Variety at Ignition: 4.7/5
Ignition offers a variety of games, ranging from Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Pot Limit events, and much more. They also feature several poker tournaments and sit & go tournaments, and also cash games with instant payouts on top. Ignition also offers anonymous poker tables, which is a feature most welcome.
Payment Options: 4.0/5
Ignition also prefers to work with cryptocurrencies rather than traditional methods, although of course they do offer both. Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash are the most preferred cryptocurrency methods at Ignition. Payments and withdrawals with these methods take up to 2 business days. For traditional options, Ignition offers Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Wire transfers. These orthodox methods are processed more slowly however, and can take up to 5 business days to clear.
Customer Support: 4.4/5
Ignition provides 24/7 email, phone, and live chat support to all their customers. Their website features a very expansive FAQ section, and should be able to answer most of your questions on the spot. They also offer a user forum, which is a great way to interact with the rest of the community, ask for help, and much more.
Bonuses & Promos: 4.2/5
Ignition offers a very generous welcome bonus that can be used in specific poker games. They also offer some other bonuses like their Royal Flush bonuses, Free rolls, and crypto bonuses. Make sure to use the Ignition Casino bonus codes in order to claim their welcome bonus.
Bonus name Bonus amount Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit Bitcoin accepted? Poker Sign-up Offer 100% up to $1,000 N/A 25x $20 ✅ Pros:
- Anonymous poker tables
- Weekly free rolls
- 24/7 phone support and user forums
- Good variety of tournaments
Cons:
- Traditional payment options are a bit lacking
- Traditional payment is slow to process
6. Juicy Stakes – Specializes In Poker For US Players
- Payout Time: From 24 to 48 Hours
- Established: 2009
- License: Curacao
- Headquarters: Curacao
Our Verdict: 4.7/5
Our top recommendation for Indiana-based users seeking online poker is Juicy Stakes. As one of the largest poker networks in the United States, players can anticipate round-the-clock activity and a plethora of tournaments to participate in.
Juicy Stakes focuses specifically on providing offshore casino options for players in the United States. Unfortunately, residents of New Jersey, Kentucky, New York, Washington, Maryland, Louisiana, or Missouri are ineligible to join. On the other hand, users in Indiana can quickly register and begin playing at Juicy Stakes. It’s also a great choice if you’re a cryptocurrency enthusiast, with various promotions available for Bitcoin deposits.
Juicy Stakes employs an intuitive HTML5 interface for its poker games, providing a unique experience compared to traditional poker offerings on sites such as BetOnline and Ignition. For those seeking a change of pace, Juicy Stakes is definitely worth trying out. Multi-table tournaments and Sit & Go games with a maximum of $200 are available throughout the week. High roller games featuring a maximum blind of $500/$1000 occasionally pop up, too. They’re the ideal choice for players who prefer high-risk, high-reward gameplay.
Poker Game Variety at Juicy Stakes: 4.7/5
No Limit Texas Hold’em games start at a low $0.02/$0.04 and rise to a maximum of $10/$20, providing great flexibility for newer players who might not want to commit to high-stakes games. Additionally, Pot Limit Omaha and more obscure games like 7 Card Stud are also available. The Sit & Go tournaments can have prize pools up to $200. With weekly tournament schedules, players will always find a game to join no matter the time of day. Juicy Stakes offers several unique formats such as Resurrection, Take a Break, and Lucky 3s. Which tournaments are in play is always subject to change, so it’s worth checking the site for more information.
Payment Options: 4.0/5
There’s a pretty straightforward payment process at Juicy Stakes, accepting a variety of payment methods including debit cards, Skrill, Neteller, Sofort Banking, and cryptocurrencies. Most offshore casinos simply do not accept as many eWallet providers as Juicy Stakes, which is a definite plus. The minimum deposit is $25, with a maximum of $5000 per transaction regardless of payment method. When it comes to withdrawals, there are different limits depending on the method used; Bitcoin transactions are capped at $2500, while other methods allow for up to $1000. However, Juicy Stakes typically processes Bitcoin withdrawals quickly, with most being completed within 24 hours, although in rare cases it can take up to 48 hours.
Customer Support: 4.3/5
It is uncommon for offshore casinos to offer a direct phone line specifically for poker, but Juicy Stakes provides one. During our experience with the site’s live chat feature, we were promptly connected with a friendly and well-informed member of support staff who provided us with valuable information regarding deposits and withdrawals. When we followed up on this issue over email, we found the same professional level of communication from our assigned support agent. Quick access to reliable support agents is crucial in the event of any issues, and in this regard Juicy Stakes does not disappoint!
Bonuses & Promos: 4.2/5
Juicy Stakes boasts one of the most generous rakeback rates we’ve encountered on a poker site at 36%. This bonus scheme comes with a rakeback calculator, allowing players to estimate in advance how much bonus play is necessary. Players looking to maximize their rakeback earnings should focus on larger tables rather than head-to-head games, as this will help to clear the bonus more quickly. Additionally, seasonal bonuses are frequently added to Juicy Stakes, making it worthwhile to keep an eye on their site for new promotions.
Bonus name Bonus amount Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit Bitcoin accepted? Poker Sign-up Offer 200% up to $1,000 N/A 25x $25 ✅ Pros:
- Fantastic multi-table tournaments
- Innovative poker games using HTML5
- Caters towards US players
Cons:
- Not as many competitors as other sites
More on gambling in Iowa…
Learn about all types of online gambling in Iowa in our expert guides below:
- Iowa Real Money Online Casinos
- Iowa Online Gambling
- Iowa Sports Betting
- Iowa Sportsbook Promos
- Iowa Betting Apps
FAQs
Is online poker legal in Iowa?
Can I legally play poker online in Iowa?
What is the most legit online poker site for Iowa?
What is the best online poker site for beginners in Iowa?
Comparing Poker Sites in Iowa
With access to this many online poker sites with different characteristics, it’s bound to be a hassle to compare them all manually. That’s why we’ve compiled the key characteristics and differences of these platforms below, and compared them for you.
Poker Room Poker Bonus Promo Code Casino Poker Freerolls Qualifiers Guarantees BetOnline 100% up to $1,000 BOLCASINO 16+ ✅ ✅ ✅ Bovada 100% up to $500 CAWELCOME100 5+ ✅ ✅ ✅ Everygame 200% up to $1,000 INSIDERS1 1+ ✅ ✅ ✅ SportsBetting.ag 100% up to $1,000 SB1000 10+ ✅ ✅ ✅ Ignition 100% up to $1,000 N/A 10 ✅ ✅ ✅ Juicy Stakes 200% up to $1,000 N/A 10+ ✅ ✅ ✅ Is Online Poker Legal in Iowa?
Online poker is currently not legalized and regulated in the state of Iowa. What this means for anyone looking to play online poker is that there are no Iowa based online poker websites. However, this also means that playing online poker in Iowa is not illegal. Nobody has ever been prosecuted for playing online in the state of Iowa. There is no explicit mention of gaming over internet or wire transmission in the Iowa lawbook.
However this doesn’t have anything to do with offshore poker sites. Despite the aforementioned ban on running online poker sites in Iowa, Iowa doesn’t regulate or prohibit the utilization of offshore poker sites. Any poker enthusiast can safely sign up and play at any of our recommended offshore poker sites without worry.
Iowa Poker Laws
Iowa was the first state in the United States to legalize riverboat gambling, legalizing it as early as 1989. The casinos were a huge success and as a result land-based casinos started spreading around the state. There are now 20 land-based casinos in the state, four of which are run by Native American tribes. Lots of these casinos offer poker for Iowa residents, which you can check out in our shortlist of poker rooms below.
When it comes to online poker however, that is a different story. Online poker is not regulated in Iowa, and the last time regulation was on the table was a bill in 2012. That doesn’t mean that Iowa residents are out of luck when it comes to online poker however. Iowa residents can still play at any of our recommended offshore poker websites, without any risk of persecution.
Here are a list of the relevant laws for poker in the state of Iowa:
- Chapter 725, Iowa State Code: This law defines the nature and type of illegal betting outside of approved casinos. It details the penalties for making bets, accepting goods to be wagered, pari-mutuel wagering, and bookmaking.
- Chapter 99, Iowa State Code: This law defines what is considered an illegal gambling operation, as well as what games of skill and chance are. Notably, there is no reference made to poker or card games in this section, nor online gaming. In fact, there no mention of online gaming anywhere at all on the Iowa Gaming Commission’s website. This leads us to believe that there are no specific provisions made for online poker compared to other forms of gambling.
- Excursion Boat Gambling Law: This law legalizes gambling specifically on riverboats, paving the way for an entire industry of casino-boats in Iowa. Floating casinos have a long history in the state, but it was only with the introduction of this law that riverboat casinos became legal.
- Indian Gaming Regulatory Act: This federal law gives Indian tribes the exclusive right to regulate gaming activity on reservations, as long as the activity is not banned at the federal level. It enabled the development of hundreds of land-based casinos across America, including Iowa.
When Will Online Poker be Legal in Iowa?
When we take a look at the laws surrounding poker and betting in the state of Iowa, we can see that the state has legalized sports betting in 2019, a relatively recent date. We do hope that this action from the state indicates that they’d like to legalize and regulate online poker within a reasonable timeframe. All across America, iGaming bills are being debated in state legislature and Iowa is no exception.
Previous Online Poker Bills in Iowa
There have been several attempts to regulate online poker in the state of Iowa going back to 2012. Further bills were put forward in 2013 and 2014, although these faced stiff resistance and died off quickly. The issue has become more relevant in recent years, as the expansion of online poker in other states has given Iowa reason to reconsider their stance on online gaming.
2012 Senate Study Bill 3164 – Iowa State Senator Jeff Danielson put forward a legalization bill proposing the creation of an online network for poker, as well as a regulatory framework for the taxation and management of online poker. Notably, this bill would have opened the way for interstate poker player pools in the state of Iowa, as well as international player pools. While this bill managed to pass through several senate committee meetings, it was ultimately trashed in the House, partly due to opposition from anti-gambling groups.
2013 Senate Study Bill 1068 – Iowa State Senator Jeff Danielson’s next attempt at putting forward legalization for online poker. This bill didn’t receive as much attention as the previous year. Although it passed through several subcommittees, it died in the house. This is the last major attempt at regulating poker in the state of Iowa for several years.
2022 House Study Bill 604 – This bill was introduced by State Representative Robert Kaufmann as the latest attempt to legalize online gaming in the state of Iowa. After years of muted support for iGaming in Iowa, this bill represents a resurgence of interest for online poker in light of declining attendance at real-world casinos. Unfortunately, this one didn’t make it out of committee.
Tax on Online Poker Winnings in Iowa
Playing online poker in the United States is not only legal, but it’s also taxable income. Any income you would receive from gambling, including poker, is subject to tax in the state of Iowa. This tax applies to both residents or non-residents as long as you’re within Iowa state lines. All casinos within the US will report your winnings to the IRS, but you are required to report both your winning and losses on your tax return.
There is some tax relief for professional gamblers in that you can offset your winnings by your losses, but only up to the value of your winnings. Professional gamblers are subject to different tax rules than casual gamblers, but you need to declare yourself as a professional gambler on your tax returns and follow the relevant tax advice. When in doubt, please check with a licensed accountant or other tax expert for personalized advice on your own tax situation.
The state of Iowa has a 5% withheld tax for gambling wins, together with 24% withheld tax for federal taxes.
However, offshore poker sites are not subject to any of these laws or taxes, while state regulated poker sites are. Since there aren’t any legal online poker sites based in and regulated by the state of Iowa, we care more about offshore poker sites. While using offshore poker sites, you will need to keep a log of your winnings and losses to report to the IRS because offshore poker sites do not report your winnings as they are not bound by the same laws.
Regulated Poker Sites vs Offshore Poker Sites
There are several differences between regulated poker sites and offshore poker sites, despite the fact that they look very similar both in appearance and functionality. We’ll go over the key differences in the list below.
- License: State-regulated websites will have their licenses from the state itself, and will be subject to regulation from the state. Offshore poker sites typically acquire their licenses from other countries around the world.
- Age: In the US, the legal gambling age is 21 in most states, which means that on state-regulated poker websites, this will also apply most of the time. Offshore poker sites however will allow players to gamble starting from the age of 18 instead.
- Games: As offshore poker sites are much more popular than state-regulated websites, they are bound to offer a bigger variety of poker games to appeal to a larger audience.
- Bonuses: State-regulated poker sites typically do not offer many bonuses or promotions. As opposed to that, offshore poker sites offer much more generous bonuses.
- Taxes: Taxes from state-regulated poker sites report your winnings to the IRS, whereas you’ll have to self-report your winnings from offshore poker sites.
There are two different types of player matchmaking when it comes to online poker, ring-fenced player pools and shared player pools. A ring-fenced player pool basically means that players will only be able to play with other players from within that pool. Typically, whenever a state legalizes online poker they are required to ensure that only players from that state are allowed to play with each other for regulation requirements. This is also done to exclude players from states where online poker is not regulated.
As opposed to that, a shared player pool means that players will be able to play not just within their own state, but from anyone around the world. While legal poker sites that operate in various states in the US prefer to ring-fence their players, offshore poker sites give you access to a global player pool and 24/7 poker action.
The US legislature is attempting to change this issue by the introduction of the Multi-State iGaming Agreement, or MSIGA. The MSIGA is a cross-state agreement that allows US players in different states to play with each other by sharing a single player pool among licensed states who have signed up to the agreement. New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, and Michigan have signed up already.
However, this does not apply to Iowa. Iowa currently does not offer legal online poker, which means that there is no ring-fencing, nor are there any plans to introduce ring-fencing in the foreseeable future.
How to Play Online Poker in Iowa
Getting started with online poker is super simple. Just follow the instructions below and you’ll be ready to play poker online in no time. Each featured site on our list requires you to register an account before you can start playing online poker. This keeps each casino in line with licensing requirements, as well as making sure there’s no underage gambling going on. Check out our quick registration guide below for the quick steps you’ll need to take to get playing your favorite poker game with BetOnline.
Step 1: Register a BetOnline Account
Navigate over to BetOnline’s website and click on the join button.
Step 2: Verify Your Email Address
Fill in all of the requested information like with any account creation process. The information requested here is very typical for any account creation process, including things like name and email address. Once you’re done, click on the Create Account button and head on over to your email inbox to verify your account.
Step 3: Place a Deposit
Of course, we cannot play poker without the necessary funds. As a reminder from us, this is where you should use your BetOnline promo codes to receive your welcome bonus. Once you’re logged into your BetOnline Casino account, click on ‘Deposit’ and select one of the available payment options. Enter the value of your payment and other information as shown on your screen.
Step 4: Access the Poker Platform
With your payment complete, you’re ready to start playing online poker. Click on ‘Poker’ on the navigation menu and choose between playing standalone games or ‘Tournaments’. You will be asked to log in once again using the same credentials.
Step 5: Start Playing Poker Online
Browse through the available games and tournaments until you find one that you wish to play. Click on it to launch it and start playing. You’ll find the appropriate rules in the game’s options and you can also set your nickname from your profile options if you wish to hide your name.
Types of Poker Games available at Iowa Poker Sites
Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Hi-Lo are among the most popular poker variations worldwide. As a result, these variants can be played on virtually every site or land casino. On offshore poker sites, these variants can be played with different regulation options, ranging from fixed limit and pot limit, to no limit. Any of these variants or regulations may be referred to by a different name based on the poker website.
Texas Hold’em
Texas Hold’em is the most common variation of poker worldwide. Each player is dealt two cards, called the “hole cards”, face down. After which, five community cards are dealt face down, which will then be revealed in three stages. The first stage is called the “flop”, which reveals 3 cards, followed by the “turn” or the “fourth street”, and finally the last card called the “river”. The objective is to make the strongest five card hand from the seven cards available to each player.
Omaha
The second most popular variation of poker is Omaha. Omaha, just like Texas Hold’em, utilizes community cards. In Omaha, players are dealt four hole cards, and five community cards are also dealt. The big twist however is that players are supposed to use exactly two of their four hole cards, and three of the community cards. This makes it more difficult to form a hand than Texas Hold’em, as you have more constraints. Betting on Omaha works just like Hold’Em, using big and small blinds to dictate the minimum bet and a new round of betting occurring after each round.
Pai Gow
Created by Sam Torosian in 1985, Pai Gow is a relatively new variation of poker. While the original game of Pai Gow is played with dominoes, Pai Gow Poker is played with playing cards and is only loosely based on the original game. You’ll need a deck of 52 cards and a single joker to play the game. The joker can count as a completing wild card in a flush or straight, but otherwise counts as an ace. Seven players including the “banker” are dealt seven cards, which they must use to make a two-card hand and a five-card hand from. Importantly, the five-card hand must beat the two-card hand to be a valid play. If both hands beat the banker’s hands, the player wins the bet. If one hand wins and the other loses, no money is exchanged beyond the rake. Two losing hands means the bet is lost.
Caribbean Stud
Caribbean Stud Poker, also known as Casino Stud Poker, is a game derived from 5 Stud Poker. The defining feature of Caribbean Stud Poker is the fact that players do not compete against other players, but against the house instead. This creates a different dynamic than most other poker variants which are all about head-to-head play. Each player is dealt a five-card hand, including the dealer. The only difference with the dealer is that one of their cards is face up, giving vital information to the players at the table. A higher hand than the dealer wins the bet, but there’s a twist. The dealer needs to have a qualifying hand for the bet to be valid, which means that if the dealer doesn’t draw at least an Ace-King hand then the round is invalid. Some casinos also offer progressive jackpots for certain hands, such as a royal flush.
Poker Site Bonuses available for Iowa Players
Here’s a list of all the welcome bonuses available for all the players in Iowa right now.
Bonus Type About Recommended Site Welcome Bonus - All online casinos offer a welcome bonus either as a % of the amount deposited and or free spins.
- Some sites have a no deposit bonus.
- Everygame Casino offers a fantastic welcome bonus of 200% up to $1,000.
Ongoing Promotions - Some sites give you a % back each time you make a deposit.
- Some sites offer weekly and or daily promotions
- BetOnline Casino offers a 25% on every qualifying reload.
Free Roll - Freeroll bonuses let you enter the competition for free.
- Potential of winning cash without using your own funds.
- SportsBetting.ag offers four free entries for Weekly New Player events
Comparing Sign-Up Bonuses
Casino Casino Bonus Promo code Rollover Minimum deposit Bitcoin accepted? Expiration date BetOnline 100% up to $1,000 BOLCASINO $5 for $50 rake $50 ✅ 30 Days Bovada 100% up to $500 CAWELCOME100 N/A $10 ✅ 6 Months Everygame 200% up to $1,000 INSIDERS1 30x $25 ✅ 90 Days SportsBetting.ag 100% up to $1,000 SB1000 $5 for $50 rake $50 ✅ 30 Days Ignition 100% up to $1,000 N/A 25x $20 ✅ 6 Months Juicy Stakes 200% up to $1,000 N/A 25x $25 ✅ 90 Days Making Deposits & Withdrawals at Iowa Poker Sites
Below is some information about making deposits and withdrawals from the state of Iowa.
Payment Method About Examples Cryptocurrencies - Cryptocurrency is one of the easiest ways to pay and receive money when playing casino games online
- Many online casinos offer payouts in Bitcoin within a day or two of request
- Fees on withdrawing Bitcoin are often close to zero
- Bitcoin
- Bitcoin Cash
- Litecoin
- Ethereum
Traditional Payment Methods - Traditional payment methods often take a long time because of international money transfers and the costs involved
- Money orders can take up to two weeks to process
- Fees for traditional payment methods can go as high as 10% of your withdrawal
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
- Bank transfers
- Payment vouchers
eWallets - eWallets are a halfway house between the speed and ease of Cryptocurrency and the guaranteed liquidity of cash payments
- Once your payment request is approved, eWallet withdrawal usually takes place within the same day
- eWallet vendors provide a safe way to link your bank account through a third party
- PayPal
- Skrill
- Neteller
- ecoPayz
Deposit Options Available
Each one of our recommended casinos allows you to pay in by a bunch of different deposit options. Check out our table below for more. Be aware, PayPal is not usually available for online deposit so you may need to resort to cryptocurrency if you can’t do a bank transfer.
Casino Bitcoin Bitcoin Cash Ethereum Dogecoin Debit / Credit Cards Bank Transfer PayPal BetOnline ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Everygame ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ ❌ SportsBetting.ag ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Bovada ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ ❌ Ignition ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ ❌ Juicy Stakes ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ ❌ Withdrawal Options Available
It’s a little harder to withdraw money than it is to deposit, particularly as less of our recommended casinos will cash out to debit or credit cards. Bitcoin remains a consistently acceptable currency for cashing out, which also often processes way quicker than bank transfers.
Casino Bitcoin Bitcoin Cash Ethereum Dogecoin Debit / Credit Cards Bank Transfer PayPal BetOnline ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ Everygame ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ SportBetting.ag ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ ❌ Bovada ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ Ignition ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ Juicy Stakes ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌ Playing on Iowa Poker Apps & Mobile Sites
In the advent of the modern age, mobile devices are a massive part of our lives. Not only do they keep track of a massive part of our lives and keep us connected, they can even help you play poker anywhere you’d like. As mobile devices have come a very long way, the experience is very smooth and pristine, whether you’re using an Android or an IOS device, or whether you’re using an app or a browser.
While some online poker sites may not have apps yet, most of the competitors on our site do feature very well optimized applications. Even with strict regulations for applications on IOS devices, the providers on our list work hard to adhere to these regulations to bring their customers the best experience possible.
Tips for Playing Online Poker for Real Money in Iowa
Poker is a game of wits, odds, and a little bit of luck. You want to have every edge when you’re playing for real money, so check out our top five tips for playing for online poker for real money in Iowa.
- Play fewer hands, but make it count: Not every round is a round where you must go all out with your wagers. Try to carefully pick your spots to maximize your odds of winning. It’s a common trap for beginners to try and force their way through a hand with a low pair, but it’s far more effective to hang back and watch a few games to get a feel for the table before you start bluffing.
- Make a poker budget: With a specific budget for poker in mind, you’re much less likely to spiral and lose more money than you’re willing to lose. As long as you don’t go over your budget, you’ll have a smooth sailing experience playing poker online. Composure is essential when playing poker, and the stress of losing money you can’t afford will throw you off your game.
- When you’re hesitant about a round, fold: When you’re in a tough spot and don’t know whether you should bet, call, raise, or fold, you should lean towards folding. This will save you a decent amount of money until you become more experienced. Once you’ve seen the same situation a few times, you’ll be much more comfortable making a tough decision.
- Always strive to improve: Remember that at the end of the day, poker is a skill game. As with any games that require skill, striving to improve and actively putting in effort to do so are the first and foremost things to do to actually improve. Always read more, learn from the experts, watch old game footage, and practice!
- Keep track of any bonuses on your platform: Online poker provides many benefits over live poker. One of the biggest benefits out of these is the fact that online poker sites offer generous bonuses. These range from welcome bonuses, to loyalty programs, and to specific or seasonal promotions. Keeping track of these will net you more funds to work with.
Playing Online Poker vs Poker Live in Iowa
While Iowa is not necessarily known for its casinos, there are still a variety of land casino options available. With the option of playing live poker on the table, you might be thinking why you would want to play online poker in the first place. However online poker sites provide many advantages over playing poker live. We’ve compared the two in the list below.
- Incentives: Real-life casinos usually do not provide bonuses or promotions, while online poker sites do offer a large amount of them. Playing online poker allows you to make use of these bonuses and incentives, giving you more value.
- Tournaments: Online poker sites offer tournaments much more often, and without any of the logistics that would come with it in a real casino. There are no scheduling issues or long wait times when it comes to online poker, you can just open your poker platform of choice and participate.
- Tables: You can only be one place at a time in real life, and of course, this goes for your poker tables as well. However, with online poker sites, you can actually participate in multiple tables at once. This is a great way to increase your poker skill as you’re constantly exposed to new situations.
- Convenience: Online poker is much more practical to play regularly than going to a casino every time you want to play some. Having the ability to play poker at any moment at your fingertips is no joke, and makes the whole ordeal more accessible and practical.
- Game Variety: The game variety for casinos and online poker sites are very similar actually. Regardless of which one you prefer though, the go-to varieties will always be the Texas Hold’em and the Omaha variants.
Live Poker in Iowa – Casinos With Poker Rooms
Bally’s Quad Cities
- Address: 777 Bally Blvd., Rock Island, IL 61201
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 4PM to 12AM
Bally’s Quad Cities is one of the premier casinos in the state of Iowa for poker. There’s a $0.50/hour comp rate, as well as a cocktail and food service to the table. It’s also non-smoking, so you can concentrate on the game. There could be more regularly tournaments and promotions, but Bally’s Quad Cities is extremely comfortable and there’s always six tables open to the public. Three of the tables use automatic shufflers, which keeps the cash games fair and unbiased.
Horseshoe Casino
- Address: 2701 23rd Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA51501
- Opening hours: Every day, 10AM to 3AM
Horseshoe Casino is another great choice for poker, with a whopping 18 tables running side by side. Horseshoe has one of the biggest poker rooms in the state and complements this with a wide range of luxury services. Cocktail and food service are a given, along with 11 high definition TVs playing sports action 24/7. Leave an hour beforehand for the phone-in list, but in the meantime you can get an on-site massage for only a dollar a minute. Half of the 18 tables use an automatic shuffler. There’s a lot of action to be found at Horseshoe for all levels of experience.
Prairie Meadows Casino
- Address: 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona, IA
- Opening hours: Every day, 9AM to 1:40AM
Prairie Meadows Casino is located very close to Des Moines, just 12 miles from downtown. This massive casino offers more than 1700 slot machines and many table games in addition to poker. There’s 8 tables active at the moment, home to a cast of extremely professional and experienced poker dealers. You’ll also get a progressive bad beat bonus when you play. Unfortunately, there aren’t many poker tournaments going on at the moment but stay tuned. They also offer free admission to live thoroughbred races, and family friendly exhibition races featuring many animals ranging from corgis to zebras to ostriches. They also offer 3 restaurants, and concerts during the warmer months.
Famous Iowa Poker Players
Even though Iowa isn’t necessarily known for its poker scene, there are a decent few great poker players from the state. We’ve listed a few of the top poker players from Iowa below.
- William Reynolds: William is one of the original Iowa poker stars. He cut his teeth on online poker, preferring to play long sessions from home instead of in the poker rooms. In fact, William was one of the biggest stars in online poker during its infancy. Hailing from Sioux City in Iowa, William Reynolds has 59 recorded live tournament cashes to his name, with about $3.6 million in total lifetime winnings. Sporting a trademark golden curly ‘fro and a leather jacket, William took his distinctive style from online poker to real cash games outside of America, where he was too young to play cash games.
- Darrell Dicken: Also known by his alias “Gigabet”, Darrell Dicken was another major online poker star in the early days of internet gaming. Even though his career only lasted 4 years, with lifetime earnings of about $2.3M. He is also a WSOP Circuit champion. Interestingly, Darrell Dicken disappeared from the poker scene just as quickly as he appeared. To this day, he’s living an obscure life away from the fame and glamour of poker. There’s a lesson to be learned here: Quit while you’re ahead!
- Jeff Fielder: A regular in the WSOP Circuit since 2010, Jeff Fielder is another big name for poker in Iowa. Hailing from Des Moines, Fielder has more than 3 WSOPC final tables to his name. He also holds a WPTDeepStacks title. Most importantly, he’s first on the all time money list for Iowa with over $2 million won from live cash games, including a $300,000 win from the WSOP after coming first in a No Limits Hold’em tournament. Fielder is still playing to this day from his home residence in Des Moines.
The Best Poker Site in Iowa
To sum up our findings, BetOnline is our top recommendation for anyone interested in online poker, regardless of their origin, budget, or skill level. With an intuitive interface, a large player pool, a variety of games, and generous bonuses, we wholeheartedly endorse BetOnline as our preferred choice.
One of the best features of BetOnline is the ability to deposit and withdraw funds using cryptocurrency, which makes it easier to play high-stakes games without long waiting times or high fees. Additionally, as an offshore platform, BetOnline is completely legal for Iowa residents to use. You don’t have to wait for online poker to be legalized in Iowa when you can already access a wealth of poker action at offshore casinos.
Moreover, BetOnline is a licensed and reputable online casino, so you can be confident that you’re playing fair games and that your money is secure. With easy sign-up, you can enjoy a memorable poker experience on BetOnline without any hassle. Don’t hesitate – sign up now and start playing!
Sam Dawson
Sam Dawson
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