Iowa Sports Betting Handle Slips to $168M in June Amid Summer Slowdown

Why the Decline Matters

June’s handle was down more than 16 percent from May and nearly 42 percent from January’s high. This dip was expected as betting activity during the summer months slows due to the lack of professional leagues and major sports events.

Tax collections followed suit. The $1.29 million collected in June was below both May and April.

Competitive Market in Iowa

Iowa remains a crowded and competitive sports betting state, with eleven sportsbooks. Major national brands like FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and BetMGM compete alongside newer names like Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN BET, Circa Sports, and bet365. Local bettors can also access smaller platforms such as Q Sportsbook and Bally Bet, adding to the mix.

The wide operator field keeps the market active, but also means sportsbooks are vying heavily for customer loyalty in a state with a smaller population than neighboring markets like Illinois.

What to Watch Next

The summer months are traditionally the quietest period for Iowa, leaving baseball, golf, and futures bets to carry the market. Operators will be looking toward September, when the NFL and college football return and drive the most significant spikes in handle each year.

The question for the second half of 2025 is whether Iowa can consistently return to the $200 million–plus monthly handle level seen earlier this year, or if competition and shifting bettor behavior will reshape the state’s sports betting landscape.