Introduction to Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2017
In many ways, Iowa is at the forefront of the gambling industry with regards to legalized gaming, including Iowa slot machine casino gambling. It was the first state to legalize:
- Riverboat casinos, in 1989, and
- Racinos – pari-mutuel facilities including both slot machines and table games.
Iowa currently has 22 casinos and pari-mutuel facilities, having a current total of 20,792 slots and gaming machines as well as 457 table games.
The largest casino is Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, the first pari-mutuel in the U.S. to introduce slot machines, currently having 2000 gaming machines and 44 table games.
Most of slot machines at Prairie Meadows are penny slots, slot machines having a 1-penny denomination and, usually, 200+ maximum credits.
This post continues the weekly blog series “Slot Machine Casino Gambling, State-By-State“, a year-long online resource project dedicated to guiding slot machine gambling enthusiasts to success.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Iowa*
Players must be at least 21 years of age to gamble in Iowa’s casinos. Casinos are open 24 hours per day.
All gambling were originally prohibited in Iowa from statehood in 1846 until 1972, when the Iowa constitution was changed to allow for games of chance such as bingo and raffles. Later, pari-mutuel wagering was allowed in 1983, quickly followed by a state lottery in 1985.
In 1989, excursion boat gambling was authorized, making Iowa the first U.S. state to legalize riverboat gambling. Boats began operation in 1991. In 2004, the state legislature removed the boat requirement, allowing them to be permanently moored barges in man-made water basins.
In 1992, state-tribal compacts were negotiated with three American Indian tribes. It is important to note that the commission has no regulatory or oversight responsibilities for this compacts.
Slot machines were themselves authorized in Iowa at pari-mutuel racetracks in 1994, although video lottery machines capable of dispensing winnings were prohibited.
In 2005, many new licenses were granted for new excursion gambling boat applications.
For those interested, portions of the Iowa Code pertaining to state gaming regulations are included in Chapters 99D and 99F.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws apply to various forms of gambling. This information is not intended to provide legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Iowa
It is legal to privately own a slot machine in Iowa if it is 25 years of age or older.
Gaming Control Board in Iowa
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission was legislated into being by the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act of May 1983. It is charged with the administration of this Act as well as the Exclusive Boat Gambling Act, the first legislation from any state to legalize riverboat casinos.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission states their mission as “…administer the laws and rule of pari-mutuel wagering and racetracks and gambling at excursion gambling boats/racetrack enclosures/gambling structures to protect the public and to assure the integrity of licensed facilities and participants.”
Casinos in Iowa
- Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs
- Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Payback: 90.37%
- Blackbird Bend Casino
- Onawa, Iowa
- Payback: not available (tribal casino)
- Casino Queen Marquette (formerly Lady Luck Casino Marquette)
- Marquette, Iowa
- Payback: 90.04%
- Catfish Bend Casino at PZAZZ!
- Burlington, Iowa
- Payback: 91.09%
- Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque
- Dubuque, Iowa
- Payback: 90.52%
- Diamond Jo Casino Worth
- Northwood, Iowa
- Payback: 90.40%
- Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort
- Larchwood, Iowa
- Payback: 90.60%
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City
- Sioux City, Iowa
- Payback: 90.21%
- Harrah’s Casino & Hotel Council Bluffs
- Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Payback: 89.63%
- Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs
- Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Payback: 89.31%
- Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf
- Bettendorf, Iowa
- Payback: 90.21%
- Isle of Capri Casino Waterloo
- Waterloo, Iowa
- Payback: 89.72%
- Lakeside Hotel Casino
- Osceola, Iowa
- Payback: 90.35%
- Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel
- Tama, Iowa
- Payback: not available (tribal casino)
- Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino
- Altoona, Iowa
- Payback: 92.02%
- Q Casino (formerly Mystique Casinos)
- Dubuque, Iowa
- Payback: 90.61% and 90.58%
- Rhythm City Casino Resort
- Davenport, Iowa
- Payback: 90.84%
- Riverside Casino and Gold Resort
- Riverside, Iowa
- Payback: 91.01%
- Wild Rose Casino – Jefferson
- Jefferson, Iowa
- Payback: 91.56%
- Wild Rose Casino and Resort Clinton
- Clinton, Iowa
- Payback: 90.84%
- Wild Rose Casino and Resort Emmetsburg
- Emmetsburg, Iowa
- Payback: 91.35%
- WinnaVegas Casino Resort
- Sloan, Iowa
- Payback: not available (tribal casino)
The payback percentages above are annual statistics for all electronic gaming machines from mid-2015 through mid-2016 as provided by each casino to the state-run Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
Summary of Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2017
Iowa is at the forefront of the gambling industry with regards to legalized gaming, including Iowa slot machine casino gambling. It was the first state to legalize riverboat casinos and racinos, pari-mutuel facilities also offering slot machines.
Iowa currently has 22 casinos and pari-mutuel facilities, having a current total of 20,792 slots and gaming machines as well as 457 table games.
These casino include three American Indian tribal casinos having a state-tribal compact, at which state gaming regulations do not apply.
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Main: Slot Machine Casino Gambling, State-By-State
- Previous: Indiana Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2017 – Indiana slot machine casino gambling currently consists of thirteen gambling establishments, with an additional casino planned to open in early 2018. Casinos include ten riverboat casinos, two pari-mutuel facilities, and one land-based casino. There are 23,550 slots and gaming machines and 607 table games in the state.
- Next: Kansas Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2017 – Kansas slot machine casino gambling consists of nine casinos, of which four are state-run casinos and five are American Indian tribal casinos. Kansas does not require its state-run or American Indian tribal casinos to release payout return information. No pari-mutuel facilities have been open in since August 2008.
