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PTLegal Iowa Online Poker Sites
Learn more about Iowa’s attitude toward land-based and online poker, in this guide find out the Legality of Online Poker in Iowa
Iowa may not be many players’ go-to gambling destination, but this state has one of the most lenient stances on gambling in the Midwest. It allows several gambling activities and has its fair share of land-based gambling venues.
However, the Hawkeye State is not as progressive regarding online gambling. It currently has no online gambling-related laws and offers no state-licensed real-money online gambling sites and poker rooms.
While the lack of online gambling regulations affects IA’s gambling offer, all is not lost for fans of online poker in Iowa. Keep reading to learn more about Iowa’s attitude toward land-based and online poker and where you can play this casino classic in the Hawkeye State.
Is Online Poker Legal in Iowa?
Iowa’s gambling legalization journey was slow but steady. It started in 1983 when the state legalized pari-mutuel betting. A few years later, the Excursion Boat Gambling Law introduced land-based gambling on IA riverboats, and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allowed IA Native American tribes to open IA Indian casinos. Iowa legislature officially permitted bonafide land-based casinos to open in this state in 2007.
Today, Iowa allows lottery, bingo, raffles, betting on races, and charitable and real-money land-based gambling. Its brick-and-mortar commercial and tribal casinos host all types of Las Vegas-style games, including poker. So, you’d have no trouble finding quality virtual and live dealer poker variants in Iowa.
Nevertheless, the Hawkeye State still offers no online casinos with real-money poker games. Despite several attempts, the state authorities haven’t settled on passing any online casino gambling regulations in this state so far. Still, IA’s recent online sports betting legalization gives hope that this situation might change shortly.
IA Poker Laws
If you plan to play poker in Iowa, you must do so legally. Make sure you’re at least 21 years old — the legal age for poker in Iowa — and know all the rules IA laws impose.
You can find the most important IA gambling-related legislation in the list below.
- Iowa Administrative Code — Gambling Games Authorized
- Iowa Code — Social and Charitable Gambling
- Iowa Code — Gambling Games and Sports Wagering Regulation
- Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
Best Legal Poker Rooms in Iowa
Now that you’re familiar with the land-based and online gambling rules in Iowa, we can focus on where you can gamble in this state. The following paragraphs explore legal online and land-based poker rooms available to Iowa residents. Continue reading to learn more.
Legal Online Poker in Iowa
Iowa’s lack of online casino gambling legislation places this type of gambling in the legal gray zone. The state neither allows nor prohibits its residents from gambling for real money on the internet. As a result, IA poker enthusiasts have two options when looking to play online poker in this state. They can join IA online sweepstakes and social casinos or register at a US-friendly poker room.
Iowa social and sweepstakes online casinos are state-licensed gambling platforms that host several poker variants. The reason they’re legal in Iowa lies in the way they operate. These gambling sites are not allowed to offer house-banked games, so they don’t allow you to bet with real money. Their players gamble using casino currency they can exchange for real money at the end of their gaming sessions.
Offshore online poker rooms are licensed and regulated by gambling authorities outside of Iowa, so they’re allowed to host real-money poker. You can find a wide array of poker variants from numerous game developers in their game libraries. We’ve featured a list of the best offshore online poker sites at the top of this page if you’re interested in trying them.
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Legal Land-Based Poker in Iowa
The Hawkeye state boasts a wide range of land-based gambling venues. Its offer includes riverboat casinos, racinos, commercial casinos, tribal casinos, and tribal bingo casinos.
Since Iowa gambling legislation contains no rules that outlaw land-based poker in this state, you can play it in most of these locations.
Iowa brick-and-mortar gambling properties are scattered across the state, but the biggest cluster is in and near Council Bluffs. They host several variants of poker. Texas Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Caribbean Poker and Stud Poker are only some of the most popular versions their customers can play.
How to Register at a Legal Online Poker Site in Iowa
Players who want to register at one of the offshore poker sites we’ve listed at the top of the page can do so in several steps. We’ve prepared a mini guide if you don’t have experience with this process. Follow the steps listed below.
Choose A Poker Room
Go through our best offshore online poker room list and select the one you like most.Use the link we’ve provided to visit the casino’s official website.
Signup
Click on the Join/Register button to start the registration process.Fill in all the required information, agree to the terms and conditions, and submit your account request.
Activate your account by verifying your email address and logging in.
Deposit & Play
Make a deposit using one of the available payment methods in the Cashier section.Browse through the poker games offered and start playing.
Iowa Land-Based Casinos With Live Poker
Iowa boasts 23 land-based gambling locations. This group includes one riverboat, 18 state-licensed commercial casinos, and four tribal ones. However, only nine of these properties have poker rooms where you can play live dealer poker games. You can find a list with names and addresses of the best ones below.
- Horseshoe Council Bluffs — 2701 23rd Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
- Catfish Bend Casino — 3001 Winegard Dr, Burlington, IA 52601
- Grand Falls Casino — 1415 Grand Falls Blvd, Larchwood, IA 51241
- Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel — 1504 305th St, Tama, IA 52339
- Riverside Casino & Golf Resort — 3184 IA-22, Riverside, IA 52327
Other Resources
Final Thoughts
Iowa has plenty to offer its poker aficionado residents. It has 23 real-money brick-and-mortar gambling venues and several online social and sweepstakes casinos with multiple poker variants. If none of these options satisfies your gambling tastes, you can try your luck at numerous US-friendly offshore poker sites. Have a look at our top offshore poker rooms list and find your match.
FAQ
Is online poker legal in Iowa?
No. The Iowa lawbook currently contains no laws that regulate online casino gambling in this state, including online poker.
Is land-based poker legal in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa’s gambling legislation allows all Class III games, including poker. Most of its land-based gambling venues host some version of this popular casino game.
Can I play live dealer poker in Iowa?
You can. Iowa has nine land-based poker rooms where you can play real-money live dealer poker games. You can find the best ones listed in one of the sections above.
What’s the legal age for playing poker in Iowa?
You must be at least 21 to be able to play poker legally in the Hawkeye State.