Iowa has embraced legal sports betting, and while esports betting isn’t explicitly regulated yet, offshore sportsbooks continue to offer real-money wagering on competitive gaming. The top Iowa esports betting sites are international operators that provide generous sign-up bonuses, competitive odds, and a variety of esports markets across titles like League of Legends, CS:GO, Valorant, and Dota 2.
All major sports betting brands in Iowa are now accessible via mobile and desktop, with Android and iOS betting apps available to download after in-person or online verification. While local sportsbooks don’t currently list esports markets, international platforms provide full coverage of major tournaments.
Top Iowa esports betting sites
Terms & Conditions Apply. Visit BetOnline for more information.
Best Iowa betting sites in July, 2025
Iowa legalized sports betting in 2019 and expanded online access in 2021, removing the in-person registration requirement. While local operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, and PointsBet dominate the market, esports betting is still not formally included in the state’s regulatory framework.
For now, the best options for esports wagering in Iowa come from offshore sportsbooks that legally accept U.S. customers. These sites offer:
- Extensive esports markets across all major titles
- Competitive odds and daily promotions
- Secure payment options including crypto and PayPal
- Full mobile access for betting on the go
Top Iowa-friendly esports bookmakers include BetOnline, GG.Bet, Bovada, and 1xBet.
Top esports bookmakers Iowa
The following are some of our top bookmakers for Iowa residents:
GG.Bet
A specialist esports bookmaker with deep markets, live streams, and regular promotions. GG.Bet covers everything from LoL and Dota 2 to Valorant and Rocket League. GG.Bet esports review.
1xBet
This international sportsbook accepts U.S. players and offers excellent esports coverage. With support for USD and crypto, 1xBet is a solid pick for Iowans. 1xbet esports review.
BetOnline
One of the most popular offshore sportsbooks for American bettors, BetOnline offers esports markets alongside sports, poker, and casino games. BetOnline review.
Bovada
A U.S.-friendly platform with a slick interface and strong esports odds. Known for fast payouts and live esports betting. Bovada esports review.
Top esports betting apps in Iowa
Mobile sports betting is fully legal in Iowa, and most sportsbooks offer native apps for iOS and Android. While in-state operators don’t list esports markets yet, offshore betting apps provide full access to competitive gaming odds.
The best Iowa esports betting apps include:
- Android apps available via direct download from bookmaker websites
- iOS apps available for download in regions that support offshore operators
- Fully responsive mobile sites that mimic app functionality
To use a mobile esports betting app in Iowa, you’ll need to be 21 or older and located within state lines (verified via geolocation).
Most popular esports games in Iowa
Esports betting covers a wide range of games, but the most commonly wagered-on titles in Iowa mirror those on the global stage. These include:
- Apex Legends
- Call of Duty (COD)
- Call of Duty World League
- Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
- Dota 2
- FIFA eSports Leagues
- Fortnite: Battle Royale
- Forza
- H1Z1
- Halo
- Gears of War
- Hearthstone
- Heroes of the Storm
- League of Legends
- NBA 2K
- Overwatch
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)
- Halo
- Smite
- Honor of Kings
- StarCraft II (SC2 or SC II)
- World of Warcraft
- Rainbow Six Siege
- Rocket League
- World Of Tanks
To learn more about the games you can bet on, check our full esports betting guides for each title.
Mobile sports betting in Iowa
Online and mobile sports betting is legal in Iowa, and most sportsbooks offer dedicated mobile platforms. Offshore sites that offer esports betting also have highly optimized mobile versions or apps, giving bettors flexibility across devices.
Mobile betting in Iowa allows you to:
Use common payment methods including crypto, e-wallets, and cards
Place real-money bets from anywhere within state lines
Access esports odds, live betting, and account management
Who licenses and regulates sportsbooks in Iowa?
The Iowa Gaming and Racing Commission is the organization that licenses sports betting sites in this state. They are also the body that has not yet endorsed esports betting as a legal form of wagering although if other states are any guide the Iowa Gaming and Racing Commission will legalize betting on professional video games.
The Iowa Code is an important part of legislation that lays out what sports betting sites, fantasy sports betting and other forms of gambling are allowed. Iowa Code chapters 99D, 99E and 99F give the Commission full jurisdiction over all areas of these gambling pursuits.
Iowa Code chapters 99D, 99E and 99F mandate that the commission shall have full jurisdiction over and shall supervise all race meetings, gambling operations, sports wagering, and internet fantasy sports contests governed by Iowa Code chapters 99D, 99E and 99F.
Basically if an esports betting site does not have approval to operate from the Iowa Gaming and Racing Commission they are not allowed to operate in the state, with this including popular offshore esports betting sites like Betonline and Bovada.
USD payment options at Iowa betting sites
Iowa-friendly sportsbooks — especially offshore platforms — support a wide range of payment methods. These include traditional and digital options that make deposits and withdrawals quick and easy.
Popular deposit options at Iowa esports betting sites:
- Astropay
- Skrill
- Neteller
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Credit card
- Paysafecard
- Bank transfers
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
