Iowa Poker Online

Iowa laws do not specifically state that online poker is legal or illegal. Iowa decided to legalize the lottery and pari-mutuel betting around the same time in the early 1980s. Betting on horse races passed in 1983, while the state lottery was created in 1985. Four years later, voters decided to allow riverboat gaming as well, and Iowa became the first state to offer it. Dog racing, social gambling, and bingo have also been legalized as well through the years.

Race tracks were given more opportunities to generate revenue in 1994 when they were allowed to install slot machines. Table games were then added nearly a decade later, in 2005. They are not considered casinos, but they are racinos and function much as some casinos in other states do.

Online poker is next to be looked at, followed by a delve into the Iowa Statutes for the key wording relating to poker games. At the end of the page you’ll find a summary and a look at potential future scenarios for poker in this State. Live Poker Games In Iowa. There are 15 different poker rooms to choose from at casinos in Iowa. Unsurprisingly, Iowa’s gambling and betting statues make no mention of online poker or Internet poker websites IA residents can access from their computers. The Internet is mentioned once, but it’s in relation to the lottery and not real money poker gambling. It follows that the legality of online poker websites falls into a murky, gray area. Conclusion on Iowa Online Poker Now that you’re fully up to speed on the best Iowa poker sites and what they have to offer, the only thing left to do is get started! Whether you’re brand new to poker or an experience reg jumping back into the action, the options provided are perfect spots for recreational or professional play. Iowa Online Poker Gaming Platforms In Iowa, poker games are allowed only in licensed land-based establishments. There isn’t any separate clause in the Iowa gambling laws that permits playing poker online. Sadly, the prohibition of IA online gambling affects some gaming products in Iowa. As for online poker, the legal minimum gambling age is 21. Is Online Gambling Legal in Iowa? As previously discussed, in short, the answer is yes. This is because there are no specific laws covering the area of online gambling and Iowa poker online.

Meanwhile, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that Congress passed in 1988 gave Native American tribes the opportunity to forge compacts with their state governments in order to establish casinos on their reservations. Three tribes did just that and opened casinos across Iowa. There are now three in operation, with the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa each operating one establishment.

The Iowa Lottery toyed with the idea of electronic TouchPlay machines for lottery purchases, and the machines were distributed for public use in 2004. However, glitches and complaints forced the state to ban the machines in 2006.

Latest Developments Regarding Online Poker in Iowa

Not long after the 2011 Department of Justice decision regarding the Wire Act, many states took their newfound authority to legalize and regulate many internet games seriously. Iowa was one that did consider some online poker and gambling bills, but those efforts never went very far and quit after only a few years.

The first was in 2012, when the Iowa State Senate approved a bill to allow its casinos to partner with online poker sites under the control of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. But by the time the bill was introduced to the House, it was too late in the session for action, and the bill eventually died when no action was taken later in the year, either.

A very similar bill was put forward again in the Senate in 2013, and it did pass the first subcommittee’s preliminary glance but did not clear with a full vote. There was enough opposition, specifically from some of the state’s Native American tribes, that it could not move forward.

There was little follow-up action in 2014, and the lack of desire to move forward for online poker was confirmed by the then-CEO of the Iowa Gaming Association, Wes Ehrecke. He said interested parties in Iowa would be simply following states like New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada to monitor their actions and progress with online gambling as a whole. While there was an indication that they would broach the subject again in 2015, there was not a bill that year or anytime since.

Most analysts suspect that Iowa will address online poker within the next few years due to its high concentration of land-based casinos and racetracks in the state that would like to participate in some form of online gambling, but this remains to be seen.

Iowa Laws Pertinent to Online Poker

Gambling is discussed in most detail in Title XVI of the Iowa Code under the “crime control and criminal acts” section. Chapter 725 is vice, and gaming and betting is listed between prostitution and bullfights.

The chapter details gaming and betting, but it is in the “keeping gambling houses” section that it defines the gambling part as conducting “bookmaking or to play at cards, dice, faro, roulette, equality, punchboard, slot machine or other game for money or other thing.”

Two sections later, more details are given about what is not allowed:

Participating in a game for any sum of money or other property of any value

• Making any bet
• Giving or accepting anything of value to be wagered or transmitted for a wager in Iowa
• Delivering anything of value received outside of a racetrack as pari-mutuel wagers
• Engaging in bookmaking

The penalties for these crimes range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending upon the crime and severity of it.

In Title III about public services and regulations, Chapter 99 is dedicated to prostitution and gambling. Some of the types of legal gambling include manufacturing gambling devices for legal jurisdictions outside of Iowa, bingo, raffles, and casino-style gambling for charity, pari-mutuel wagering, lottery, and gambling specifically allowed by licensed operators such as riverboats and racetracks. Gambling games therein are described as “any game of chance authorized by the commission,” but does not include sports betting or games of chance authorized by this chapter.

In another part of Chapter 99, games of chance and skill are defined. A game of chance is

“a game whereby the result is determined by chance and the player in order to win completes activities, such as aligning objects or balls in a prescribed pattern or order or makes certain color patterns appear. Game of chance specifically includes but is not limited to bingo. Game of chance does not include a slot machine or amusement device.”

In contrast, a game of skill is

“a game whereby the result is determined by the player’s ability to do a task, such as directing or throwing objects to designated areas or targets, or by maneuvering water or an object into a designated area, or by maneuvering a dragline device to pick up particular items, or by shooting a gun or rifle.”

There is no mention of cards in this section whatsoever.

There is no mention of online gaming or gambling in any of the current Iowa statutes, nor does the Iowa Gaming Association mention anything about online poker or similar games on its website.

Disclaimer: This is not written by an attorney and is not or should not be construed as legal advice. Please consult an attorney for help interpreting these laws as they pertain to any given situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: So, is online poker illegal in Iowa?

Answer: Not specifically. Players have been competing on internet poker sites for many years, and law enforcement officials have never given any indication that they would track down or prosecute poker sites or players.

Question: Can Iowa players access PokerStars?

Answer: No. Sites like PokerStars, 888poker, and PartyPoker are not accessible to Iowa players. But there are numerous options like Bovada and Intertops that welcome players from Iowa.

Question: Are there online tournaments for Iowa players?

Answer: Yes. Some sites, like BetOnline and Bovada, operate on larger networks that not only offer daily online poker tournaments, but sharing tables with other sites allow them to offer bigger events and guaranteed prize pools for some of the tournaments.

Gaming Resources in Iowa

People of all ages in the Hawkeye State love to play poker. With only 10 live card rooms across the state, though, many players are left looking for a better option. Thanks to Al Gore’s invention, you’ve got some incredibly convenient options. The best Iowa poker sites deliver a streamlined way for you to play real money poker from your phone, computer, or tablet, without ever stepping foot inside of a casino or a card room.

How Do We Choose the Best Iowa Poker Sites?

• Honest Reviews
• Updated Analysis
• Full Banking Analysis
• Can We Trust the Site?

Honest Online Casino Reviews

Unlike some of our counterparts, our reviews are completely independent and can’t be bought, bribed, or coerced by anything, anyone, or any site. What does that mean for you? It means that if you choose to use one of the Iowa gambling sites with poker we list, you know you’re getting quality. That’s a bold statement, but it’s one we’re proud to stand behind.

Updated Analysis

The list of the best online Iowa poker sites should never be a static list. Sometimes, the best sites lose their way, and mediocre sites get their act together. If we only reviewed the options to play real money online poker in Iowa once, we’d miss every one of these changes. For that reason, our team regularly reviews and updates our listings like clockwork.

Full Banking Analysis

A critical step in the analysis of where to play online poker in Iowa is a look at the banking options. While the full list of questions we ask is extensive, here’s a taste of the most important.

• Are there enough options for deposits and withdrawals?
• Are these options well-known, proven, and trusted?
• Are deposits available in your account for play instantly?
• Do cashouts come quickly compared to the rest of the industry?
• Does the poker site offer dedicated support for banking needs?

Can We Trust the Site?

The bottom line is, we evaluate if we can trust the site. Would we play there? Would we let our family members play there? If the answer to all of these questions is not a resounding yes, then you can bet your bottom dollar that those Iowa poker sites are not making our list.

Why Poker Is Becoming so Popular in Iowa

If you ask an outsider about the state of Iowa, they’d probably tell you that 100% of the people living there spend 100% of their time growing corn. As residents of the state, though, we know this isn’t the truth. Much like the rest of the country, we love to gamble, have fun, play cards, and be entertained.

Because of these things, it should be no secret that poker is becoming so popular in the state of Iowa. As technology continues to grow, more and more Iowans are adopting the convenience of playing online and not having to drive to a casino. Sure, there are 10 land-based poker rooms in the state. But if you know anything about Iowa, it’s an expansive state, which means you may have to drive a long way to get to the closest card game.

List of Land-Based Poker Rooms in Iowa

In case you’re really itching for that live poker action, you do have 10 different options spread throughout the state. Many of these casinos host cash games, daily tournaments, and some even host major tournament series. The Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is regularly home to the WSOP Circuit that comes through the state.

• Catfish Bend Casino
• Diamond Jo Casino Northwood
• Grand Falls Casino Resort
• Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs
• Jumer’s Casino
• Meskwaki Casino
• Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino
• Q Casino
• Riverside Casino
• WinnaVegas Casino

Legality of Online Poker Sites

If there’s one area that legislators are starting to reach across the aisle in this country, it’s with online poker. While not every state has explicit favorable legislation, very few have anything against it. Instead, the industry operates in a bit of a gray area.

That being said, it’s never been illegal to play online poker. The only laws on the books in most places deal with the casino and poker room operators and what they can or can’t do. Unless you’ve got plans to open up your own real money Iowa poker sites, you probably don’t need to worry about that.

Additionally, it’s always a favorable sign for online poker when states open live poker with open arms. With double-digit numbers of live card rooms in the state, that’s a big win for the poker industry as a whole.

How to Stay Safe Playing at Iowa Poker Sites

• You Can’t Go Wrong With Reputation
• Protect Your Account
• Trust Your Gut
• Periodically Check the Laws
• Keep Your Computer Secure

You Can’t Go Wrong With Reputation

Which of these Iowa online poker rooms would you trust more? Would you trust a brand new site that tells you it’s going to do the most incredible things for you, or would you trust a poker site that’s proven over the last decade that it does great things for its customers? If you’re like us, you like the option that’s already proven what they can do.

If you want to stay safe choosing where to play poker online in Iowa, stick to the sites with great reputations. Poker rooms that have proven time and time again that they can be trusted should continue to be trusted. While newer sites may have the best intentions, it’s tougher to trust they’ve got everyone’s best interest at heart.

Protect Your Account

While the best Iowa poker sites go a long way towards keeping you safe, there’s still a part of the responsibility that falls on you. The biggest thing you need to do to stay safe is to protect your account. You should never share an account with someone else, use a weak password, or log into your account from a computer or device that’s not your own.

Trust Your Gut

If anything ever feels like it’s wrong, trust your gut. Thankfully, with the Iowa online poker sites we’ve recommended, you won’t need to worry about this. However, if you interact with other players or third-party companies, be on your guard.

Periodically Check the Laws

Luckily, the state of IA holds a favorable view towards gambling and poker. That being said, it’s always a smart practice to keep your head up and your ears open in case anything changes. What we anticipate, though, is that if anything changes in the state of Iowa, it will be positive and just further outline the betting landscape, including Iowa poker sites.

Keep Your Computer Secure

For players that are looking to use the best online poker sites for Iowa residents on their computer, it’s critical that you keep your computer secure—both internally and externally. Internally, you’ll want to keep your computer updated and your antivirus software up to date. Externally, make sure no one gets access to your computer that shouldn’t have it.

Tips for Picking out the Top Real Money Iowa Poker Sites

• Use play money tables as a resource. The best way to find the best Iowa poker sites for you is to test-drive the sites yourself. While play money tables won’t give you insight into the skill of the players, it does let you test out the software and see what the gameplay is like. Additionally, it can protect you from a costly misclick or mistake when you decide to start playing for real money.
• Don’t get hoodwinked by flashy graphics and unsubstantiated promises. We’re big fans of flashy graphics and Iowa online poker sites that say they’re going to do big things. While we’re big fans of these things, we’re not suckers. Flashy graphics and big promises are only of value when they come from a site that can back them up. Don’t fall victim to big promises and eye candy without doing any additional research into the validity of the claims.
• You’re not under a contract. If you try out any real money poker sites in Iowa and don’t like them, that’s okay! You’re under no obligation to stay there. If you give an option a shot and it doesn’t seem like a great fit, try somewhere else.
• Be wary of individual user reviews. The internet is littered with reviews from individual users on their experiences with online poker sites. While some of these reviews are great, there’s a tendency for reviews only to be left by disgruntled players who lost money. Make sure you take some of these reviews with a grain of salt. Whether you win or lose really isn’t the site’s fault. Reviews should be on the merits of the platform that will equally affect all users.
• Join multiple IA online poker sites. When you go grocery shopping, sometimes you have to go to different stores to get everything you need. Online poker is no different, especially if you play multiple variants. For example, one site may have great action on PLO, but you might find better real money Hold Em’ action elsewhere. If you play both games, join both sites! It doesn’t cost you anything extra to join multiple online Iowa poker sites.
• Don’t always go for size. When deciding where to play poker online in Iowa, it can be really tempting to look for the sites with the biggest bonuses and the biggest tournament prize pools. In some cases, this is the right play. However, there may be times where the biggest is not always the best. Sometimes, less-than-reputable Iowa online casinos with poker use big bonuses to cover up problems with the company. Never choose a site solely because it offers a big bonus. Second, bigger tournament prize pools mean tournaments that take a lot longer to play. If you’re not someone that wants to commit a full day to a tournament, smaller poker rooms could be a better fit.

Iowa Online Poker FAQ

How Do You Determine the Best Real Money Poker Sites in Iowa?

Online Poker News Iowa

The process for determining the best real money poker sites in Iowa is extensive. Our research and testing teams look at hundreds of different sites. At each site, the teams look at things like player pool, trustworthiness, security, bonus offerings, and usability to make determinations. And then, those sites are continually checked to ensure we’re always recommending the best Iowa online poker rooms. Sometimes, the leaders fall, and the strugglers get their act together.

Are These Real Money Online Iowa Sites Safe for Me to Use?

Absolutely. The most time-consuming and intensive portion of our review and ranking process is a look at safety and security. Our team looks at a long list of different factors to determine whether or not a poker room is safe. When you come to us to determine where to play online poker for real money in Iowa, we don’t want to send you anywhere that we wouldn’t be comfortable playing at ourselves.

How Long Does the Average Cashout Take at USA Poker Sites?

The answer to this question depends on whether or not you’re playing at a reputable IA poker site or not. If you’re not, we couldn’t tell you how long it might take. However, if you are playing somewhere trusted, the average cashout time takes between a few hours and about a week.

The shorter times are generally found through cryptocurrency or e-wallet options. The slightly longer options that can take up to a week are found with options like bank transfers and eChecks. Usually, these options may get to your bank just as quickly, but your bank may hold it for an additional day or two.

Iowa Poker Online Real Money

Are These Iowa Poker Sites Connected to Players in the Rest of the World?

It depends. None of these options are only for residents of Iowa. Some of the real money online Iowa sites recommended connect you nationally with other players in the US. Other options connect you globally with players all around the world.

Nationally-based sites are great for people that play at traditional peak times like nights and weekends.

Conclusion on Iowa Online Poker

Now that you’re fully up to speed on the best Iowa poker sites and what they have to offer, the only thing left to do is get started! Whether you’re brand new to poker or an experience reg jumping back into the action, the options provided are perfect spots for recreational or professional play. You’re just minutes away from real money action with players in the state of Iowa, the rest of the US, and at some sites, the rest of the world!