• Research

    State of Play

    Explore the national and state-by-state impact of the casino gaming industry, as well as key regulatory and statutory requirements in each state.

    • Number of Casinos 23

    • Economic Impact $4.74 Billion

    • Jobs Supported 24,418

    • Tax Impact & Tribal Revenue Share $817.0 Million

    • Gross Gaming Revenue $1.95 Billion (2023 Commercial)

    Size of circle indicates number of casinos in the area.

    All location data is as of Dec. 31, 2023.

    • Number of Casinos 19

    • Economic Impact $4.43 Billion

    • Jobs Supported 21,102

    • Tax Impact $759.7 Million

    • Gross Gaming Revenue $1.95 Billion (2023)

    Size of circle indicates number of casinos in the area.

    All location data is as of Dec. 31, 2023.

    • Number of Casinos 4

    • Economic Impact $307.0 Million

    • Jobs Supported 3,316

    • Tax Impact & Tribal Revenue Share $57.4 Million

    • Gross Gaming Revenue $142.8 Million (2016)

    Size of circle indicates number of casinos in the area.

    All location data is as of Dec. 31, 2023.

    The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission

    DMACC Capitol Center
    1300 Des Moines Street, Suite 100
    Des Moines, IA 50309
    515-281-7352
    Website

    The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) administers the laws and regulations regarding commercial casino operations. The IRGC also oversees pari-mutuel wagering at racetracks.

    The commission is made up of five members appointed by the governor subject to confirmation by the state Senate to serve three-year terms.

    AVAILABLE GAMING LICENSES
    Casino Operator License
    Racetrack Casino License
    Distributor License
    Manufacturer License

    However, in June 2022, a two-year moratorium on the issuance of new casino licenses was issued.

    For more information on available gaming licenses, see Regulatory Fact Sheet.

    Iowa has four compacted tribes: the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and the Ponca Tribe of Iowa.

    Each tribe is required to regulate gambling through their tribal gaming commission, pursuant to Section 6 of the compacts. The Director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals is given limited regulatory authority in order to ensure compliance with the compacts and applicable state laws.

    Each compact permits the tribe to contract with a management contractor to operate Class III gaming.

    Three of the compacts were originally negotiated in 1992 but were re-negotiated in October and November 2004. Each of these compacts remain in effect, unless terminated due to breach or mutual agreement.

    By contrast, the Ponca Tribe of Iowa’s compact was originally negotiated and entered in 2020 and remains in effect, unless terminated due to breach or mutual agreement.

    For more information on compact expiration dates, see Regulatory Fact Sheet.

    AVAILABLE GAMING LICENSES
    Vendor License

    For more information on available gaming licenses, see Regulatory Fact Sheet.

    GAMING TAX RATE
    Iowa has a graduated gaming tax rate.
     
    Adjusted Gross Receipts Graduated Tax Rate
    $0 – $1m 5%
    $1m – $3m 10%
    Over $3m for riverboat
    and land-based casinos
    22%
    Over $3m for racetrack casinos 24%

    The city or county where a riverboat is docked may vote to impose an admission fee of no more than $0.50.

    TAX PROMOTIONAL CREDITS
    Casinos pay normal gaming taxes on promotional credits until collective total payments reach $28.5 million during a given fiscal year. After that threshold is reached, casinos are no longer taxed on promotional play.

    WITHHOLDINGS ON WINNINGS
    5 percent withheld for state purposes

    TAX ALLOCATION
    Treasurer of host city 0.5% AGR
    Treasurer of host county 0.5% AGR
    County endowment 0.8% AGR
    State miscellaneous 0.2% AGR
    General Revenue Fund Remaining Funds

    REVENUE SHARE
    Under the terms of their compact, the Winnebago Tribe must donate a minimum of $200,000 each year for charitable purposes. The tribe may count their $25,000 gambling addiction fee in the calculation of this payment.

    TAX PROMOTIONAL CREDITS
    None

    WITHHOLDINGS ON WINNINGS
    Five percent withheld for state purposes.

    STATE USE OF REVENUE
    The state uses revenue from tribal gaming for charitable purposes and to help fund operations of the counties impacted by the tribe’s Class III gaming.

    TRIBAL USE OF REVENUE
    Requirements as described in IGRA.

    STATUTORY FUNDING REQUIREMENT
    Yes. Capped at $6M.

    SELF-EXCLUSION
    Casino patrons may choose to self-exclude for a period of five years or life.

    COMPLIMENTARY ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
    Yes

    ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS
    Commercial casino licensees shall include information on the availability of the gambling treatment program.

    In addition, Iowa regulations require that licensees conduct advertising and public relations activities in accordance with decency, dignity, good taste, and honesty.

    ON-PREMISE DISPLAY REQUIREMENT
    Yes

    AGE RESTRICTIONS
    21+ years old to gamble
    21+ years old on floor

    STATUTORY FUNDING REQUIREMENT
    Yes. $10,000-$50,000/annually

    SELF-EXCLUSION
    Yes

    COMPLIMENTARY ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
    None

    ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS
    None

    ON-PREMISE DISPLAY REQUIREMENT
    None

    AGE RESTRICTIONS
    Under all four compacts, 21 is the minimum age for taking part in gambling.

    OPERATION ON HOLIDAYS
    Yes

    TESTING REQUIREMENTS
    Racing and Gaming Commission must approve all gaming equipment distributed in the state, with the help of an independent testing facility.

    ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REQUIREMENTS
    Federal compliance requirements.

    RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
    Those with interests in the state’s gambling boats may not contribute to political parties.

    CREDIT OFFERED TO PATRONS
    None

     

    SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS
    Notice must be filed with the IRGC before gambling games are shipped.

    SMOKING BANS
    No

    CASHLESS GAMING & ALTERNATIVE PAYMENTS
    Cashless wagering systems are permitted pursuant to a June 2022 law. However, Iowa does not currently accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment for gambling transactions.

    TESTING REQUIREMENTS
    Prior to the installation and use of a gambling device, the tribal gaming commission must inspect and test the gambling device.

    ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REQUIREMENTS
    Federal compliance requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act.

    SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS
    Federal shipping requirements under the Johnson Act.

     

    RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
    No

    CREDIT OFFERED TO PATRONS
    No. Class III gaming may be operated for cash only and credit may not be extended to any patron.

    SMOKING BANS
    No

    CASHLESS GAMING & ALTERNATIVE PAYMENTS
    Cashless wagering systems are permitted pursuant to a June 2022 law. However, Iowa does not currently accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment for gambling transactions.

    AUTHORIZED OPERATORS
    Commercial and tribal casinos and online operators

    MOBILE/ONLINE
    Allowed statewide

    TAX RATE
    6.75 percent

    INITIAL LICENSING FEE
    $45,000

    LICENSE RENEWAL FEE
    $10,000, payable each year

    AMATEUR RESTRICTIONS
    Prop betting on in-state collegiate athletes

    TAX ON PROMOTIONAL CREDITS
    Yes. The tax on promotional credits for each fiscal year is determined by multiplying the statutorily set adjusted percentage by the applicable wagering tax.

    For more information on the tax on promotional credits for sports betting, see Regulatory Fact Sheet

    AGE RESTRICTIONS
    Must be 21 years old.