July revenue of Iowa casinos shows a slight uptick (0.1%) compared to the previous year

July revenue of Iowa casinos shows a slight uptick (0.1%) compared to the previous year

Iowa's casino and sports betting industry has experienced a remarkable growth spurt in 2025, with significant year-over-year increases in revenue.

In 2024, the total sports betting handle in Iowa amounted to approximately $2.77 billion. Fast forward to the first half of 2025, and the handle has surpassed $22.7 billion, demonstrating a dramatic increase in wagering activity. This growth has translated into a gross gaming revenue of over $7.8 billion from sports betting alone.

The expansion of Iowa's sports betting market, both online and retail, is a direct result of the legalization and regulation push since 2019, and the ongoing market growth. As a result, the state has collected $11.9 million in tax revenue from sports betting as of August 2025, nearly doubling revenue from 2021 fiscal levels.

While there is no separate breakdown for land-based casino revenue changes, it is likely that the overall commercial gaming market in Iowa is benefiting from these gains in handle and revenue, thanks to retail sportsbooks located at casinos.

In July 2025, out of the 19 casinos in Iowa, 13 reported a year-over-year revenue increase. The total revenue generated was $144.9 million, a slight increase of 0.1% compared to the $144.7 million generated in July 2024.

The Emmetsburg location of The Wild Rose Casinos had the most significant increase, with revenues rising 15.6%. Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino generated $20.3 million in revenue in July 2025, the highest among all Iowa casinos. On the other hand, Riverboat casino Queen Marquette, which is being rebranded and brought to shore by Bally's, brought in the least revenue, with a loss of 7.1% year-over-year.

Other casinos that saw a significant increase in revenue include The Wild Rose Casinos in Clinton, Emmetsburg, and Jefferson. Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo recorded the highest revenue increase among all Iowa casinos, with a 16.8% rise year-over-year, from $7.8 million in 2024 to over $9 million in 2025.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission published the latest revenue figures for Iowa casinos, which reveal a robust growth trajectory in Iowa casino-related revenues, primarily driven by expanded sports betting activity both online and at retail casino sportsbooks.

In conclusion, the year-over-year changes in 2025 reveal a robust growth trajectory in Iowa casino-related revenues, driven mainly by expanded sports betting activity both online and at retail casino sportsbooks. The industry shows no signs of slowing down, and it will be interesting to see how these trends continue to shape the landscape of Iowa's gaming industry in the coming years.

1. The surge in sports betting activity at retail casino sportsbooks, as well as the growth of online sports betting, has contributed significantly to the expansion of the casino-and-gambling industry in Iowa.
2. The rise in revenue at casinos, particularly those that offer casino-games, such as The Wild Rose Casinos in Clinton, Emmetsburg, and Jefferson, indicates that the overall commercial gaming market in Iowa is benefiting from the growth in the casino-and-gambling industry.

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