The Legality of Iowa Online Poker
It’s been over three decades since Iowa became the first US state to open riverboat casinos.
Since then, the state’s gambling entertainment industry has grown more robust. Today, there
are 23 gaming centers in the Hawkeye State, each offering unending bouts of slots, roulette,
craps, blackjack, and poker games. The state also runs a lottery, as well as pari-mutuel
wagering at two horse racetracks and a greyhound park.
Not minding that the population of this state is a meager 3,190,369 individuals, they constitute a
great part of the casino “power flux” in the US. Several years ago, the advent of the online
casino ushered in the birthing of a bold new world. Casinos are now more popular than ever.
Today, casino lovers can access practically any game from anywhere at any time. The online
world is astonishing, enchanting, and glamorous. Poker love has spread, and opportunities for a
refreshing competition can be easily attained.
So, casinos have been a major part of the Iowa state economy since 1991. It has even
generated tax revenue totaling 6 billion USD since the games kicked off. But so many still
wonder, is online poker legal in Iowa? Does the state legislature support this revenue source
that continues to churn in funds for bogus state projects? You are not alone if this is a concern
for you. State laws differ in the US, and it is advisable that you understand what is allowed in
your territory.
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History of Iowa Poker
In 2012, the Iowa Senate approved a bill legalizing online poker, but this bill didn’t survive to its
implementation. In the subsequent year, another poker bill was also dropped at the committee
level. Since then, no word has been spoken about legalizing online poker in the state. However,
this doesn’t mean that online poker lovers have to find another hobby.
While some argue that online poker games are illegal according to Iowa laws, based on the
same laws, it can be argued that online games are legal. You don’t have to be an expert at
interpreting the law to see that there is a ban against betting and wagering. However, there is no
mention of online poker in the gambling legislation.
Therefore, it cannot be ascertained conclusively whether online poker is legal or illegal because
the laws do not clarify whether poker is a form of gambling (games of chance). In this light, you
do not have to worry about the legal consequences of participating in a game online. You do not have to miss an opportunity to play your favorite casino game because of the gray areas in Iowa
law. Once you are over 21, you can register with a trustworthy site from another country.
Gambling Laws in Iowa
Iowa gambling law is the most cohesive yet permissive in the midwestern parts of the country.
This means that the state has strict laws on what type of gambling is considered legal or illegal.
However, it has remained one of the most thriving gambling centers. Despite being a
predominantly agricultural-focused state, the Hawkeyes still know how to have a good time in
their traditional casinos.
This recreational sector has created over 18,000 jobs for Iowa and generates over 2.2 billion
USD in annual revenue for the state. Gambling is flourishing in Iowa, and the state is not
ignorant of the existence of this billion-dollar revenue creator. Iowa gambling laws run on
referendums, and evident by the enormous access to gambling options, Iowa citizens favor
gambling.
As we have already pointed out, there are many legalized types of gambling in Iowa. There are
the traditional casino slots, lottery, charity, and bingo games. Iowa has become so liberal in
gambling because almost every gambling-related bill has been accepted and implemented
without delay. The first of these was the referendum passed in 1983 and 1985 that legalized
horse betting and the state lottery, respectively.
In 1989, another bill was implemented that permitted riverboat casinos. At the time, riverboat
casinos were popular. This continued until the late 90s and early 2000s, when they began to
give way to the land-based casinos of today. You might still find a few riverboat casinos in Iowa,
but it is no longer the mainstay of the state.
In 1994, race tracks were also provided an opportunity to generate revenue after they were
allowed to install slot machines. In 2005, about ten years later, table games were incorporated
into the list. Sports betting was also recently legalized in Iowa in 2019. Iowa’s gambling sector is
not just very vibrant. As you can see, it is nothing short of “the feast of all things good.”
Players can find just about any casino game in Iowa-based casinos. The gaming access is as
unlimited as any casino you find in Vegas or Atlantic City. There are; slots, poker, OTB games,
roulette, blackjacks, casino-style bingo games, etc. On the matter of social gaming, you must
bear in mind that Iowa’s criminal code is against private gaming. According to these codes, a
single gamer cannot earn or lose more than 50 USD per game.
Section 725.7 of the state code defines gambling as “Participating in a game for any sum of
money or other property of any value, or making any bet.” This seems vague, but if the state
decides to take it up, online gaming could go south. However, based on this law, we have no
records of any individual being apprehended for playing online games. Gamers can take
advantage of the laxity of this law to have a fantastic game.
Regulations of Iowa Online Poker
According to Iowa’s existing laws, online gambling is not explicitly legal or illegal. However, like
many other legally informed bodies, we also lean toward the side that suggests online games
are legal. Iowa has not seriously decided to prohibit online games, be it casinos, poker, sports,
etc. If they had done so, it would be clearly stated. From this standpoint, it’s easy to understand
why there can be no regulations for online poker in Iowa yet. When the state has made up its
mind on what to do, governing regulations will follow.
Iowa Online Poker Sweepstakes
According to Iowa’s existing laws, online gambling is not explicitly legal or illegal. However, like
many other legally informed bodies, we also lean toward the side that suggests online games
are legal. Iowa has not seriously decided to prohibit online games, be it casinos, poker, sports,
etc. If they had done so, it would be clearly stated. From this standpoint, it’s easy to understand
why there can be no regulations for online poker in Iowa yet. When the state has made up its
mind on what to do, governing regulations will follow.
The Legality of Sweepstakes Online Poker in Iowa
In almost all state laws, gambling is defined as a concept that comprises three basic elements:
a prize or cost, chance, and consideration. Before any promotional activity can be deemed a
gambling activity, all three elements must be present. Therefore, sweepstake creators prioritize
eliminating one or more of these elements. The most commonly thrashed element is cost. And
so, you cannot find sweepstake games requiring you to place a wager before you can win a
prize. Therefore, they use Sweep Coins as tickets to the games. These coins are not valuable
until you play a game with them. When you complete your registration at a sweepstake site, you
will get the coins.
Top Sweepstake Casinos for Iowa Online Poker
Chumba Casinos
In this online casino platform, gamers are provided with an opportunity to play the games for
recreation and relaxation. Chumba Casino also credits sweepstakes entries, or Sweeps Coins,
to deserving players. These Sweeps Coins can be used to engage in promotional play as an
avenue to win more sweeps coins and real prizes. Besides the sweepstakes games for players
21 years old or older, Chumba also regularly organizes some promotional plays for gamers who
are 18 years old. Open a customer account to begin enjoying all the benefits of Chumba
Casino.
Lucky Land Slot Casinos
After a launch in 2019, this site became the third member of the virtual gaming world that offers
cash rewards to players of promotional sweepstakes in the US. Lucky Land gives their new
players a welcome combo of 7,777 Gold Coins and ten Sweep Coins. Players can use the Gold
Coins or Sweeps Coins to win more bonuses on the Lucky Land site. Using your Android phone
or tablet, you can access and play the full collections (40 games) of Lucky Land games.
With as little as 4.99 USD, you can get $10 Gold Coins to play with. When you buy Gold Coins,
you will also receive Sweep Coins as bonuses. Games played via Gold Coins are of no
monetary reward, but those played with Sweep Coins will get you a cash reward.
Funzpoints Casinos
Funzpoints is one of the newest online casinos known for increasing the fun for online slots
gamers. This casino also offers real money and sweepstake games to US residents older than 18.
Besides the $2.50 site credit and 1000 Funzpoints you’ll be offered upon signing up, you
can play a quick game for free. No deposit is required for you to enjoy a sweepstake game.
However, if you decide to purchase a package, you can access a $20 bonus. There are also
daily $350 sweepstakes jackpot draws where you can continually increase your bonuses.
Global Poker Casinos
The Global Poker casino model is mainly a sweepstake model, even though it is designed and
crafted to appear and operate like a standard poker site. Unlike other sites that do not give
Sweep Coins bonuses, global poker credits Sweep Coins to you whenever you buy Gold Coins.
You cannot outrightly buy Sweeps Coins because the site only gives them to loyal players. As a
rule of thumb, the higher the package’s value, the better your Sweep Coins payout.
How To Select Online Poker Real Money Sites in Iowa
Every online poker site works differently, with each one having unique offerings. Therefore, it is
not recommended that you sign up on the first one that you come across. Instead, we
recommend evaluating your best choice using the following factors.
Look Out for Bonuses
Apart from being a way to relax and have fun, online poker is now a very competitive arena, and
as such, nothing is more interesting than a bag full of welcome bonuses. For any player looking
to grow by leaps and bounds, ensure that you take advantage of casinos that offer wild
bonuses. But, as fun as it sounds to get tons of welcome bonuses on a new site, do not make
your decisions entirely based on bonuses.
We advise you proceed with caution because some poorly functioning casinos can disguise
their inefficiencies beneath bogus welcome bonuses. It might already be too late by the time you
realize the damage. Also, bigger tournament prize pools equate to longer playtime. If you do not
have much time to spare daily due to the nature of your job, then go for smaller sites.
Authentic Payment Methods
Every functional casino site should have accessible and verifiable deposits and withdrawal
methods. To avoid issues, keep an eye out for the gaming sites that offer your preferred
transaction method. For example, if you do not wish gambling data to be displayed in your bank
account, ensure the site you are settling for can work around this. You can also validate the
authenticity and progress of a site through its payment methods.
Confirm the Safety of The Site
As much as you want to have fun while enjoying your favorite game, do not fall for sites that are
out to scam you. Before choosing any site, ensure that they are duly licensed and regulated.
Make sure their financial transactions are secure, validate the efficiency of their services, and
ascertain that you are comfortable with their cash-out timescales. Check up on customer
reviews to ensure you understand their mode of operation.
We should also warn you that not all reviews are genuine. Some customers might have been
bitter about losing and falsely commented against the site. Take every review with a pinch of
salt because they are only based on individual experiences.
Check Out the Level of Customer Support
Many players wrongly assume that they will not need the customer support section of their
chosen poker site. Therefore, they give no thought to validating the response on this section.
They eventually discover that they made a mistake in underestimating this section and its
usefulness. Verify that the customer support team on your desired site is knowledgeable and
courteous; it can make all the difference between winning and losing one day in the future.
Iowa Online Poker FAQs
Why should I play online poker Iowa?
Perhaps you are a traditional, conservative American and are wondering what’s new about the
online poker variety. Firstly, you should know that residents of Iowa who play online poker from
various reputable sites receive more rewards than those who play the same game on land
casinos. You cannot take away the fact that land-based casinos have more expenses to
overhaul than operators of online casinos. So, online casinos can more liberally offer bonuses
and rewards.
Also, online poker players play from the comfort of their homes. They get to engage in lots of
excitement, fun, rewards, etc., all from the safety and comfort of their relaxation point. They do
not have to battle the elements before experiencing their preferred style of fun.
Does Iowa offer any regulated online gambling?
Even though much remains to be done, Iowa has made much more progress regulating its
online gambling site than many of its neighbors. Presently, Iowans can enjoy online gambling
using poker sites licensed and regulated by other states.
Is online poker legal in Iowa?
Online poker has not been declared a legal venture by the Hawkeye State. It is also not said to
be illegal either. Shortly, Iowa will certainly take a stand on this subject of discussion, but for
now, residents in the state can participate in the games without fear of being prosecuted.
How long does the average cashout take at USA poker sites?
It is safe to state that there are no fixed cash-out timescales. Your cash-out duration would
depend on your specific poker site and its payment method because these parameters are
determined individually by each poker site. E-wallet options and cryptocurrencies usually have
the shortest payment durations. At the same time, bank transfers take the longest. On average,
cash-out times can span from a few hours to about seven days.
