Iowa sports betting sees highest handle in nearly 2 years in October

Sports betting in Iowa reached its highest point in almost two years in October, with a total handle of $255.3 million. This marked a 6.9% increase from October 2022 and a 3.9% increase from September 2023. The last time Iowa saw this level of sports betting was in January 2022, nearly two years ago, when the handle reached a record $303.3 million.

Of the total bets placed in October, $231.8 million were made online, while $23.5 million were made at retail sportsbooks across the state. This reflects the growing trend of online sports betting as a preferred option for many players.

In terms of revenue, Iowa also saw a 12-month high in October, with $24.2 million generated. This was a 26.7% increase from the previous year and slightly higher than September 2023. The last time revenues were this high was in September 2022, when $25.4 million was generated.

The partnership between Diamond Jo Dubuque and FanDuel remained the leader in Iowa’s sports betting market, with $6.5 million in revenue and a handle of $62.8 million in October. Wild Rose in Jefferson and DraftKings followed in second place, with $3.6 million in revenue and a $43.4 million handle. Wild Rose in Clinton, also partnered with DraftKings, came in third with $3.0 million in revenue from $32.3 million in bets. Wild Rose in Emmetsburg, also partnered with DraftKings, had a successful month, generating $2.9 million in revenue from a $26.8 million handle.

Overall, sports betting tax for October reached $1.6 million, and players won a total of $225.3 million. These numbers reflect the continued growth and success of sports betting in Iowa, with both handle and revenue reaching their highest levels in nearly two years.