Iowa Online Casinos
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Regulation and Legality of Online Gambling
From a general perspective, Iowa has legalized gambling over the internet. However, just like in many other states, Iowan legislators have somehow omitted online casinos from any gambling-related bills in the last 15 or so years.
Experts believe that the reason for this stalling is the fact that Iowa has 20 land-based casinos, with a few racinos, tribal casinos, and other gambling venues. Even though the Hawkeye state is only 31rd in terms of total population, it has more land-based casinos per capita than almost every other state, aside from Nevada and Iowa.
Casino owners are afraid that legalizing online casinos will effectively cannibalize their land-based profits. As such, they’ve lobbied tirelessly and manage to succeed in their stalling efforts. Things, however, are starting to change.
In July 2019, the state officially passed a bill that legalized sports betting. The first land-based sportsbooks went live in August, with online ones following suit in December. Social gambling sites, the lottery, and racinos are all legal, too.
When it comes to online casinos, experts believe that Iowa is one of the least likely states to legalize in-state casino sites. The lobbyists are simply too strong for politicians to ignore them.
Nevertheless, you can still play at online casinos in Iowa. Even though there are fines and jail sentences mentioned in laws prohibiting legal gambling, they are never enforced.
You can access just about any site that accepts Iowan players. Both offshore and US-based casinos are known to turn a blind eye to gambling in Iowa, and willingly let players partake in all sorts of activities. Even if a certain online casino blocks you from playing, you can still use a VPN.
Gambling in general in Iowa is covered by the Iowa Code 703 and 725. The issue of online casino games has not been addressed in these two code sections. To be completely honest here, the word ‘internet’ does show up once, but it has nothing to do with casino websites as it is related to the operations of the state lottery.
In recent developments, there were several attempts to shed some light on real cash gambling and betting within the virtual world, but they’ve all failed. An Internet gaming and poker website bill was passed by the State Senate 29-20 in 2012, but it didn’t reach the House. It seems that the legislators are in the mood to pass iGaming-friendly legislation, but we are yet to see some results. One of the issues is the need for a higher popularity of online gaming among the local public. Only 23% of Iowans are in favor of online poker websites, according to a survey done in 2013
Gambling history in Iowa
Located in the center of the American Midwest, Iowa may be better known for its thriving livestock industry than flourishing gambling businesses. But have no doubt – Iowans are into betting. Ever since the 1800s, Iowa residents have been engaging in various gambling activities, the most notable ones being aboard riverboat casinos. Some of those venues even carried over through the early 20th century, but during the early 1900s the gambling situation was somewhat dormant. Then the wave of legalization flooded the IA betting scene and one by one, different gambling businesses sprung into life.
The Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act was passed in 1983. Voters in eight Iowa counties approved riverboat gambling in 1989. The Racing and Gaming Commission was allowed to issue permits to qualifying businesses that wished to organize gambling on boats. As of 1991 there were 4 riverboat casinos operating in the Hawkeye State, and more opened during the following period. Iowa was actually the first state to legalize riverboat casinos in the United States.
A state-wide Iowa lottery was established in 1985 and has been one of the main sources of funds for state-related programs. The state’s Indian fractions signed gambling compacts with the government, marking the start of tribal gaming in Iowa. Bingo was added to the assortment of gambling activities in the early 2000s, so there’s pretty much a wide choice of any gambling option in IA. Online gambling remains the only form of gambling that is yet to be regulated in the Hawkeye State.
Land Based Casinos
People who wish to gamble at land-based establishments in Iowa can do so in licensed racetracks and casinos. In Iowa, there are more than 20 casino facilities; some of them are tribal casinos, whereas the rest are commercial casino business. There are two operational racetracks, the Prairie Meadows in Altoona and the Dubuque Greyhound Park in Dubuque. The riverboat casinos are found within the state’s waterways – along the Mississippi River and Missouri.
Some of the more notable establishments include Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs, the Catfish Bend Riverboat Casino in Fort Madison, Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs and Riverside Casino in Riverside. The Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs riverboat casino counts on 38,500 square feet of gaming space filled with slots, video poker machines and table games. The facilities also include a AAA four-diamond hotel. The Riverside Casino & Golf Resort offers over 900 of the newest and most popular slot machines, blackjack and poker live tables, as well as electronic craps and roulette. You can choose among various dining options and also enjoy golf, spa and live entertainment. More interesting venues to visit and gamble at include The Isle of Capri Casino in Marquette and the Meskwaki Casino in Tama (67,553 square feet of gaming space, over 1,350 slots and more than 20 tables).
Neighbouring States: Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin
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