By Iowa may not have any sports teams, but the appetite for sports betting inside state borders is vast — and only continues to grow. If you're reading this, chances are you want in on the sports betting fun. The question is, how? Which Iowa sports betting apps are the best? We think we can help out because we've created this in-depth guide on all things Iowa betting apps. The first topic of discussion? The top Iowa gambling apps, which we cover in the next section.
Best 5 Sports Betting Apps For Iowa
We've personally reviewed dozens and dozens of the best sports betting app Iowa has to offer. After all those hours spent on these apps, we've settled on a five as the best betting app in Iowa. Here they are for your convenience:
1. BetOnline
The BetOnline app ranks among the top gambling industry players. Since 2004, they've excelled with odds and bonuses. Credit their dedication, attracting a solid player base.
Where BetOnline stands out the most is in its sportsbook menu. It's deep — really deep. Bettors can get any and every bet they're looking for here as the BetOnline app offers just about every major sport or league, as well as smaller ones too. It's a perfect all-in-one destination.
Better yet, all these bets are offered at industry-leading prices. While odds are mostly consistent across the board, occasionally you'll find cheaper or higher odds at some apps. With BetOnline, you're more likely to get a bargain deal as compared to competitors. That's huge for bettors looking to max out their value each and every time wagering.
Users should be aware that they can navigate the app regardless of what device they’re using, tablet or mobile, That's because accessing the BetOnline app works from any device — it'll automatically adapt to the screen size. That's the cherry on top of a great user experience.
App Pros & Cons
- Deep sportsbook menu
- Well-priced betting lines
- Dated-looking app
Final verdict: 9.5/10
2. BetUS
When it comes to bonuses, there’s the BetUS app and then there’s everyone else. Seriously, BetUS is on a level of their own when it comes to promotions. The next-best app is far, far behind BetUS.
Here are just a few of the offers currently available to bettors of the app. First-time users are eligible for the $3125 sign-up bonus that’s among the highest in the industry. Think that’s a good deal? Welp, BetUS also offers up to $6000 in free play from its referral bonus. This is only the tip of the iceberg too because BetUS has even more deals in this same ballpark.
Best of all, these deals can be redeemed right from the BetUS app. That’s because the majority of the deals can be had from doing two things — depositing money and creating an account. Both can be done in 10 or so minutes with a few thumbs of your phone. BetUS designed the entire bonus process to be as simple as can be.
If you want free bets — and you should to minimize the risks of betting — then there’s no better choice than BetUS. This app offers free money to new and returning players alike so there’s free money to be made for bettors of all types.
App Pros & Cons
- Biggest bonuses in the business
- Deep sportsbook menu
- 7-day expiration on free play earned
- High rollover rates
Final verdict: 9.5/10
3. XBet
Mobile betting doesn’t get much better than the XBet app. Spend a few minutes scrolling around this app and it becomes apparent just how much XBet has committed to perfecting the mobile experience, especially compared to competitors.
For one, XBet’s app has a way more modern design than you’d find elsewhere. It feels like many competing platforms are stuck with the app design they first came out with in the 2010s, not XBet though. This thing feels and looks as modern as can be.
But XBet isn’t just about looks. Functionality also shines here, especially when betting live. Odds keep up with in-play games really well. You can’t always say that about competing apps, which can get laggy while keeping up with real-time games. Issues are almost nonexistent when live betting on XBet though.
Mobile betting is only going to get more and more common. By using XBet, you’re latching onto an app that’s already ahead of the curve. Therefore, when the industry inevitably shifts to the “next big thing”, we’re confident XBet will either be early to that trend, if not create the trend outright. That’s the advantage of betting on an innovative app like XBet’s.
App Pros & Cons
- Live betting system is elite
- Slick app design
- Needs more casino game options
Final verdict: 9.4/10
4. Bovada
It's hard to find any fault with the Bovada app. It's incredibly well-rounded. Competitive odds, bonuses, contests, solid customer support — all of that can easily be found inside the app.
It ends up high on this list because of its stellar reputation. Bovada might be one of the most-used apps, not only in Iowa, but across the United States. This has been the case for about a decade now. Before betting became legal, the offshore Bovada served bettors. That's continued to this day because Bovada offers such a tip-top betting experience.
The best word to describe the experience is "simple." Bovada strips down online betting to the core essentials, which is what most bettors want — removing any unneeded gimmicks. This simplicity results in super-fast load times on the app. It's one of the fastest performers in our first-hand experience.
We'd really suggest the Bovada app for bettors who are new to this online betting thing. It's very easy to pick up — so long as you understand betting odds. Again, it goes back to their simplicity and full dedication to the betting experience.
App Pros & Cons
- Easy-to-use app
- Trustworthy brand
- Bonuses pay peanuts
- Needs a visual makeover
Final verdict: 9.2/10
5. Bookmaker
Bookmaker is one of the O.G. bookmakers. Founded in 1996, they are an old-school player but have managed to keep up with the ever-changing gambling landscape in the States. Primarily known for ensuring quality and consistency, they have also built a lasting reputation off of their mobile betting app.
Since the popularity of mobile betting started around 2015, Bookmaker has positioned itself to provide a range of excellent services to bettors far and wide. To make life easier for you, here are some of the most important features on offer at Bookmaker:
- Adaptable service
- Unique mobile promotions and offers
- First-class betting markets
Currently, there's no need to download a stand-alone app to use Bookmaker on the go. Why take up space on your phone when you can just use Bookmaker from your phone's web browser and have the same experience? This makes Bookmaker more accessible and easy to use.
App Pros & Cons
- Mobile app that scales to all screen sizes
- Reputable app
- Bonuses and contests lack originality
Final verdict: 9.1/10
Legal Status Of Sports Betting Apps In Iowa
Iowa first went live with sports betting in 2019, however, in limited fashion. However, registration had to be done in-person at a local casino — a rule that freezer out online apps that don't have a physical presence.
However, that all changed in 2021, when Iowa legalized online betting without in-person registration. That's when the floodgates really opened inside the Hawkeye State. Now there's betting apps everywhere inside the sports-crazed state. It's why we felt compelled to write this guide to assist you picking out the best one for you. Speaking of which, that leads to our next section.
Which Iowa Betting App Is The Best?
We can’t say one is “the best” as that’s way too subjective. What we can say is the five apps we ranked above are among the best in all of Iowa. Each of them shares some of the must-have qualities of a top-notch sportsbook — a plethora of bets, lucrative bonuses, a well-designed mobile app, and more.
We did our best to highlight some of the differentiating factors between each of the five apps though. It’s on you to align with the app that best aligns with what you value. That’s how you end up getting the best app for your personal needs.
Why Are BetMGM, Ceasars, FanDuel Betting Apps Not On Our List?
Those three apps are all available in Iowa. However, we’d stop short of calling them the best apps in the state. Nothing against them, but we just prefer offshore apps to licensed ones. More than anything else, offshore apps are far less restricted.
For instance, offshore apps have more betting markets available. Things like politics or entertainment events could never be gambled on licensed apps. Similarly, only offshore apps allow betting with crypto. We could go on and on here, but offshore apps handcuff their bettors way less and that masked for a better playing experience.
Sports Betting Apps In Other States
Iowa isn't the only state with a bunch of juicy betting apps. If you want in-depth guides to other states, then look no further. Here are some quick links elsewhere:
- Arkansas Betting Apps
- Alabama Betting Apps
- Arizona Betting Apps
- California Betting Apps
- Colorado Betting Apps
- Deleware Betting Apps
- Florida Betting Apps
- Georgia Betting Apps
- Illinois Betting Apps
- Indiana Betting Apps
- Iowa Betting Apps
- Kentucky Betting Apps
- Kansas Betting Apps
- Louisiana Betting Apps
- Maryland Betting Apps
- Massachusetts Betting Apps
- Michigan Betting Apps
- Mississippi Betting Apps
- Montana Betting Apps
- Nevada Betting Apps
- New Jersey Betting Apps
- North Carolina Betting Apps
- Ohio Betting Apps
- Oregon Betting Apps
- Pennslyvania Betting Apps
- Tennessee Betting Apps
- Texas Betting Apps
- Virginia Betting Apps