Almost every type of gaming is sanctioned by the state government in Iowa. Online casino gaming is the only type of gambling that has not been approved by the government. However, Iowa is a leading contender for the next state to introduce regulated online casinos.
As of right now, there are 24 legal gambling establishments open to Iowa residents. Las Vegas-style casinos, riverboat casinos, casinos owned by Native Americans, and racetrack casinos all fall under this category. Bets on sporting events and horse races are available at some of these establishments in addition to the standard casino games.
Iowa has allowed online sports betting since 2019. DraftKings, PointsBet, and other sports betting services are just a few of the options available to bettors. Some of these sportsbooks enable gamblers to place bets via mobile devices in addition to online platforms.
Iowa: Some Interesting Facts
Iowa’s flat landscape and strategic location between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers make it an ideal state for farming. For this reason, it should come as no surprise that Iowa is the leading producer of maize in the United States. However, most of it isn’t the delicious sweet corn that everyone loves. Instead, this is the type of corn that goes into making ethanol and animal feed.
Iowa’s capital city, Des Moines, sounds like French, and the state flag is virtually an exact replica of the French flag. If you’re curious as to why, it’s because France formerly possessed this state. In the 18th century, this region belonged to French Louisiana.
Casinos in Iowa
The majority of states in the Midwest have a favorable view on casino gaming. The casino sector is lawful and regulated in Iowa, making it no different from any other state.
As of this writing, casino gaming is available in Iowa at 24 different locations. The vast majority of them are found in riverside locations, while others sit directly on the water. The Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs is an example of a casino boat on the Mississippi.
The state of Iowa sought to restrict gaming to certain places, therefore most casinos are located near or on rivers. However, the state’s stance against gambling has relaxed significantly during the past decade. Therefore, casinos also began cropping up throughout central Iowa.
There are now 4 casinos within a 100 mile radius of Des Moines, the state capital of Iowa. Prairie Meadows is a racino that fits this category. The Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino is where visitors may make wagers on the horses and play traditional casino games.
The track is utilized for more than only horse races. Visitors to the site may occasionally witness the races of other, more exotic animals. For instance, ostrich races were once held at the track.