The Daily Racing Form (DRF) has been a hallmark of horse racing in the United States since the late 19th century, moving from a strictly paper publication into a vibrant online community of horse racing enthusiasts.
Originally founded in 1894 in Chicago, IL by Frank Brunell, DRF was sold in 2007 to Arlington Capital Partners for just under $200 million.
Then, in January 2022, DRF Sportsbook was launched, venturing into the sports betting industry with Iowa being their first and only state where they are taking action. In addition to an online sportsbook and app, DRF Sportsbook also has a retail location at Lakeside Hotel and Casino in Osceola, IA.
Is it possible to join DRF Sportsbook Iowa and start betting?
Unfortunately, as DRF recently announced they are exiting the Iowa online sports betting market in January 2025, it is not possible to place a bet at DRF Sportsbook. While you can still sign up for an account, the sportsbook is not accepting new wagers from new or existing customers as they seek to exit the market as smoothly as possible.
Notable features of DRF Sportsbook Iowa
Despite being one of the lesser-known, smaller players in the Iowa sportsbook market, DRF Sportsbook Iowa has plenty of notable features. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
DRF’s betting app in Iowa
Available for both Android and iOS devices, the DRF Sportsbook app is one of the best features of the sports betting site. From its easy-to-use design to its lightning-fast load times, theDRF betting app in IA has been a game-changer for the sportsbook. Let’s dive into the few simple steps required to get it for both iOS and Android devices.
How to download the DRF app on iOS
Downloading the DRF app in Iowa on iOS is just a few short steps away. Let’s take a closer look at how to get the sports betting app onto your iPhone.
How to download the DRF app on Android
If you are one of the thousands of Android users in the Hawkeye State, fear not, because downloading the DRF app is just as easy. Here are the steps involved.
Popular sports leagues you can bet on using DRF IA
Iowa residents love their sports betting, and all of the popular sports leagues across the country (and the world) are available for action. Let’s take a few of the most popular leagues you can bet on using DRF IA.
DRF Iowa deposit and withdrawal methods
Given its relative scale compared to other sportsbook operators in Iowa, DRF has relatively limited deposit and withdrawal methods. Even still, there is something for everyone, and sports bettors should have no issues transacting on the site. Let’s look at three of the most popular methods.
Customer support at DRF Sportsbook Iowa
For those who might have inquiries when using DRF Sportsbook Iowa, there are a handful of ways to get in touch with customer service. Starting by heading to the bottom of the main page under “Customer Support,” here are the menu items that are available.
DRF Sportsbook’s legal status in Iowa
DRF Sportsbook is fully regulated and licensed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, and unlike the other Iowa sportsbooks, is exclusive to the state of Iowa. However, it has announced that it will leave the market in January 2025, and is no longer accepting new bets or signups.
In terms of safety, DRF Sportsbook uses an encryption technology called SSL which interfaces with its back-end to protect itself (and your funds) from hackers. To date, DRF Sportsbook has not reported any incidents when it comes to their security.
Our expert opinion on DRF Iowa
DRF Iowa leaned on more than 100 years in the gambling industry to date, starting with The Daily Racing Form in 1984, to launch a terrific product in DRF Sportsbook in 2022. With the reputable image from their ventures in horse racing in tow, DRF Sportsbook came out of the gates as one of the best sportsbooks in Iowa and only got better with time.
The online sportsbook also benefited from its brick-and-mortar location at Lakeside Hotel and Casino and offered bettors the same competitive lines both online and in their retail shop.
Finally, unlike its offshore competitors, DRF Iowa is fully backed by the safety and security of Iowa state regulations. It can be totally trusted in terms of keeping your funds safe and acting in a generally forthright manner.
However, as it will close by January 2025, it is unfortunately not a viable option anymore for Iowa bettors looking to wager on sports.