Iowa gambling law changes https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/ New laws, launches, tax changes and enacted bills on gambling in Iowa. en-us Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Federal judge denies Kalshi's preliminary-injunction request against Iowa, holding sports event contracts are not "swaps" under the Commodity Exchange Act https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2026-09-09:Federal judge denies Kalshi's preliminary-injunction request Wed, 09 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Promotional-play tax discount on casino gambling games fully expires under ยง 99F.11(3) phase-out schedule https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2026-07-01:Promotional-play tax discount on casino gambling games fully Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Gov. Reynolds signs SF 2289, giving IRGC cease-and-desist/injunction power over unlicensed gambling, sports wagering, and sweepstakes operators (effective 2026-07-01) https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2026-05-19:Gov. Reynolds signs SF 2289, giving IRGC cease-and-desist/in Tue, 19 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT HF2615 enacted: A bill for an act relating to thoroughbred and quarter horse racing seasons. https://gamblingatlas.org/legislation/iowa/#IA2025-2026HF2615 bill:IA2025-2026HF2615 Tue, 19 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Signed by Governor. Kalshi sues Iowa AG Brenna Bird and IRGC seeking a ruling that federal law preempts Iowa gambling law as applied to its event contracts https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2026-03-11:Kalshi sues Iowa AG Brenna Bird and IRGC seeking a ruling th Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT SF660 enacted: A bill for an act relating to sports wagering and tourism, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions. https://gamblingatlas.org/legislation/iowa/#IA2025-2026SF660 bill:IA2025-2026SF660 Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT Explanations of votes. SF659 enacted: A bill for an act relating to state government and finances, including by making, modifying, limiting, or reducing appropriations, distributions, or transfers; authorizing expenditure of unappropriated moneys in special funds; providing for properly related matters including crystalline polymorph psilocybin, medical residency and fellowship positions, state membership in the Iowa individual health benefit reinsurance association, student abuse by school employees, modified supplemental amounts for school budgets, wagering taxes, a state fire marshal study, certain legislative interim studies, and 911 emergency communications services; making corrections; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. https://gamblingatlas.org/legislation/iowa/#IA2025-2026SF659 bill:IA2025-2026SF659 Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:00:00 GMT Explanations of votes. SF605 enacted: A bill for an act relating to state income tax withholdings on winnings from sports wagering, and including effective date provisions. https://gamblingatlas.org/legislation/iowa/#IA2025-2026SF605 bill:IA2025-2026SF605 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT Signed by Governor. HF260 enacted: A bill for an act relating to the Iowa lottery. https://gamblingatlas.org/legislation/iowa/#IA2025-2026HF260 bill:IA2025-2026HF260 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT Signed by Governor. Ponca Tribe of Nebraska-Iowa Class III gaming compact takes effect (Federal Register notice 2021-04499, 86 Fed. Reg. 12874); tribe operates Prairie Flower Casino in Carter Lake, Iowa https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2021-03-05:Ponca Tribe of Nebraska-Iowa Class III gaming compact takes Fri, 05 Mar 2021 12:00:00 GMT In-person registration requirement for online sportsbook accounts ends https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2021-01-01:In-person registration requirement for online sportsbook acc Fri, 01 Jan 2021 12:00:00 GMT Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and State of Iowa submit a Class III gaming compact to the Department of the Interior; Secretary takes no action within the IGRA review period, so the compact is deemed approved https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2020-12-11:Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and State of Iowa submit a Class III Fri, 11 Dec 2020 12:00:00 GMT Internet fantasy sports contests begin operating in Iowa https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2019-10-25:Internet fantasy sports contests begin operating in Iowa Fri, 25 Oct 2019 12:00:00 GMT Retail and online sports wagering begin operating in Iowa https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2019-08-15:Retail and online sports wagering begin operating in Iowa Thu, 15 Aug 2019 12:00:00 GMT Legislation authorizes sports wagering and internet fantasy sports contests under IRGC regulation https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2019-05-13:Legislation authorizes sports wagering and internet fantasy Mon, 13 May 2019 12:00:00 GMT 2019 Acts, ch. 132 Commission grants four new excursion-boat licenses following a moratorium-era review https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2005-01-01:Commission grants four new excursion-boat licenses following Sat, 01 Jan 2005 12:00:00 GMT Legislation authorizes table games at racetrack enclosures https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:2004-01-01:Legislation authorizes table games at racetrack enclosures Thu, 01 Jan 2004 12:00:00 GMT Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino opens https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:1995-11-22:Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino opens Wed, 22 Nov 1995 12:00:00 GMT Bluffs Run Casino opens, Iowa's first racetrack casino (Council Bluffs) https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:1995-03-15:Bluffs Run Casino opens, Iowa's first racetrack casino (Coun Wed, 15 Mar 1995 12:00:00 GMT Loss limits and wager caps removed; excursion boats begin unlimited-stakes gambling https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:1994-06-01:Loss limits and wager caps removed; excursion boats begin un Wed, 01 Jun 1994 12:00:00 GMT Meskwaki Bingo Casino opens near Tama under Iowa's first tribal-state Class III compact (secondary-sourced; date approximate) https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:1992-12-31:Meskwaki Bingo Casino opens near Tama under Iowa's first tri Thu, 31 Dec 1992 12:00:00 GMT Dubuque's Casino Belle begins operating, Iowa's first riverboat casino https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:1991-04-01:Dubuque's Casino Belle begins operating, Iowa's first riverb Mon, 01 Apr 1991 12:00:00 GMT First excursion boat gambling licenses granted https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:1990-03-08:First excursion boat gambling licenses granted Thu, 08 Mar 1990 12:00:00 GMT Legislation authorizes licensed gambling games on excursion boats, subject to county referendum https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:1989-07-01:Legislation authorizes licensed gambling games on excursion Sat, 01 Jul 1989 12:00:00 GMT Iowa Lottery begins ticket sales with a kickoff celebration at the Iowa State Fair https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:1985-08-22:Iowa Lottery begins ticket sales with a kickoff celebration Thu, 22 Aug 1985 12:00:00 GMT Iowa lottery enabling legislation signed into law by Gov. Terry Branstad https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:1985-04:Iowa lottery enabling legislation signed into law by Gov. Te Mon, 01 Apr 1985 12:00:00 GMT Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act passed; first Iowa Racing Commission appointed July 1, 1983 https://gamblingatlas.org/states/iowa/#timeline event:IA:1983-01-01:Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act passed; first Iowa Racing Commissio Sat, 01 Jan 1983 12:00:00 GMT