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What was the PointsBet Iowa promo?

The PointsBet Iowa promo was up to $1,000 in second chance bets. Example: Create a new PointsBet account in Iowa, log into your account, make a deposit, and place a real-money wager each day for 10 days. For each of those 10 days, if your first wager of the day doesn’t win, you’ll be awarded a second chance bonus bet in equal value to your first bet, up to $100 (totaling up to $1,000 over 10 days).

PointsBet IA bonus

Sign-up bonus: No Promo
Promo code: N/A
Minimum deposit: $10
Last updated: May 2024

Sportsbook overview

Sportsbook: PointsBet
Legal in Iowa: No
Partner in Iowa: Catfish Bend Casino
Payment methods:
(+3)

The PointsBet platform arrived in the United States by entering the New Jersey market in January 2019. After obtaining a license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC), the bookmaker first accepted wagers in Iowa in August of the same year.

However, in August 2023, sports merchandising giant Fanatics bought out PointsBet’s U.S. operations and is in the process of converting the existing platform to the Fanatics branding. Fanatics has now taken over, so PointsBet has closed in Iowa.

Former common promotions on PointsBet Sportsbook in Iowa

PointsBet Sportsbook frequently updated its bonus offerings for players in Iowa and around the U.S. Here were some of the other top Iowa sports betting promotions on the platform.

  • Same Game Parlay Combos: If same game parlays weren’t entertaining enough, PointsBet allowed you to combine multiple same game parlays as single legs in a new wager to maximize your profit potential.
  • Partial cash out: The partial cash out promo lets players collect some of their winnings on an established wager while allowing them to let the rest of the wager ride. This way, bettors can choose a percentage of their stake and winnings to cash out the bet before the wager fully settles.
  • Lightning Bets: Lightning bets are unique, short-term live-betting opportunities that will allow players to take advantage of their understanding of game flow and tactics to pounce on a favorable line in a quick window. For example, PointsBet may offer “Will this soccer match see a shot on target in the first five minutes?” This won’t be available in a same game parlay wager or on the standard posting of match markets, and the lines can be quite favorable on a hit.

How you could register on PointsBet in Iowa and snag the promo

Registering on PointsBet in Iowa would allow you to snag the generous welcome bonus promo. Here’s how you could register and get started with the bookie.

  1. Open the registration form: For your convenience, we linked the registration form at the top of this page. You made sure you chose to open the link in a new tab so you could keep this page on hand for reference.
  2. Craft your account details: Once you’ve accessed the registration form, you’ll need to enter your first and last name and the email address you would like to use with your account.
  3. Enter your identifying information: Next, you’ll be prompted to enter your title (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Other, or N/A), date of birth, the last four digits of your social security number, and your mobile phone number (to enable two-factor authentication).
  4. Verify your information: To complete the registration process, you’ll need to enter an account password you would like to use, then check the boxes verifying you have read and agree to the terms of service and privacy policy. You’ll also need to check a box to agree to SMS communications. When you’re done, click “Join PointsBet.” Note that clicking to join acts as your confirmation that you are of legal age to bet in Iowa, that you aren’t prohibited from betting in Iowa because of your profession, and that the information you submitted is true and accurate.
  5. Make a deposit and place your wagers: Finally, you’ll need to make a real-money deposit to your PointsBet account with the method of your choosing. For the first 10 days after opening your account, PointsBet will award a matched second chance bet of up to $100 per day if your first cash wager on each of those days settles as a loss.

Former available sports on PointsBet Sportsbook IA

Screenshot of PointsBet Illinois Sport section
PointsBet had 13 available sports on its IA sportsbook platform. You also were able to find multiple leagues under each of those sports umbrellas. Here were some of the most popular options.

  • Football: College sports betting is legal in Iowa, including for in-state teams. As such, football is far and away the sport that sees the most wagers and most money among IA sportsbooks. This is particularly impressive given there aren’t any NFL teams that call Iowa home.
  • Soccer: PointsBet offers loads of domestic and international soccer betting markets, ranging from international friendlies and the World Cup to lower European leagues and the MLS. By volume, soccer accounts for one of the biggest volumes of betting markets with the bookmaker.
  • Basketball: Across the United States, basketball is the second-most popular sport to bet on, especially for states that allow college basketball betting during March Madness (as Iowa does). Each of Iowa’s Division I men’s teams has made multiple NCAA tournament appearances since 2015, and the Hawkeye women’s team were the national runners-up in 2023.

What was PointsBetting?

PointsBet first began offering its sportsbook platform in Australia in 2015. The idea behind the sportsbook was to introduce the concept of “PointsBetting,” which multiplies the winnings on a player’s original stake for each degree of difference from a given line.

For example, say PointsBet set a line of 42 for a game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. You placed a $10 bet on the over, and Chicago won 31-28. The point total of 59 minus the original line of 42 results in a multiplier of 17x your original stake for a $170 win. Just be careful, as losing bets also carry that same multiplier, so you could also see a 17x loss in the scenario above if you took the under.

The PointsBet mobile app in Iowa

PointsBet had a singular mobile app, so bettors in Iowa didn’t need to download a unique app each time they traveled and wanted to play out of state. While the Iowa sports betting app did also include the casino side of PointsBet’s operations, online casino gambling was still prohibited under Iowa law, so this section of the app was inaccessible.

The PointsBet app held a 4.8/5 rating in the iOS App Store and a 4.1/5 rating in the Google Play Store. Both of these scores were quite impressive given the high emotion factor of sports betting and the potential for negatively skewed rankings, and it held one of the higher rankings among Iowa bookies.

With a default dark mode display, the sleek design was one of the best on the scene. Navigation between menus and markets was a breeze, and you could easily access the promotions to take advantage of the frequent and bountiful bonuses.

How to download the PointsBet app on iOS

Downloading the PointsBet app on your iOS device only required a steady internet connection and was free to install. This was how you can download it.

  1. Open the App Store and log in with your Apple ID and password.
  2. Search for “PointsBet Sportsbook & Casino.” As a reminder, the casino portion of the app won’t be accessible in Iowa.
  3. Press “Get,” then “Install.”

After the app was downloaded, you could create your PointsBet account, make a deposit, place your first wager, and claim the welcome bonus.

How to download the PointsBet app on Android

The download process for the PointsBet app on Android devices was very similar to the iOS steps. Here’s what you needed to do to complete the installation.

  1. Log into the Google Play Store on your Android device.
  2. Search for “PointsBet Sportsbook & Casino.” Note that the casino section of the app won’t be available to Iowa players as online casino gambling is still prohibited under state law.
  3. Press “Install” and let the download complete.

Once you downloaded the app, you could log in with your existing PointsBet account credentials or sign up for a new account if you haven’t already done so.

PointsBet Sportsbook in Iowa deposit & withdrawal methods

PointsBet’s list of deposit and withdrawal methods in Iowa was in the middle of the pack for IA sportsbooks, and you should have been able to find an easy and convenient option. Here’s the full list of what you were able to use.

  • Credit/debit cards: Credit and debit cards will only be available for download at PointsBet if you’ve got a Visa or Mastercard. Unfortunately, Discover and AMEX users are out of luck and will need another option. PointsBet will not charge fees to use these options, but your bank may charge a cash advance fee if you use a credit card.
  • Online banking: You can link your bank account to your PointsBet account for a safe, secure deposit option and a quick, reliable withdrawal method. This is often the fastest way to access your PointsBet winnings.
  • ACH/e-check: Similar to online banking, you can also send or request an e-check or ACH payment for a deposit or withdrawal, though this option doesn’t carry the same speed; it may take 3-10 days to arrive after you submit a withdrawal request.
  • PayNearMe: PayNearMe is a hybrid electronic-cash option. In your PointsBet account, select “Deposit” and the amount of cash you’re intending to deposit. PointsBet will then send you a barcode you can use at a local store with further instructions on making your cash deposit. Unfortunately, this is a one-way street and you won’t be able to withdraw with this method.
  • PayPal: While PayPal isn’t listed as a deposit method on the PointsBet site, it’s still something you’re able to use; in fact, you won’t be able to withdraw to PayPal unless you’ve already used it to finance your bankroll. This is another fast and safe way to move your money.

PointsBet Sportsbook retail location in Iowa

PointsBet Sportsbook had an in-person betting location at the Catfish Bend Casino in Burlington. The casino cage was open daily from 7AM to 2AM, and self-service kiosks are constantly available. You also found a full service bar with multiple TVs if you wanted to watch your bet play out in person.

No, betting on sports at PointsBet Sportsbook is not legal in Iowa. The company obtained a sports gambling operator’s license from the IRGC and launched its Iowa sports betting operations in August 2019. However, they closed operations in 2024.

Fanatics took over PointsBet’s U.S. operations, which includes ownership of the license.

Our expert opinion on PointsBet Iowa

In our expert opinion, PointsBet Iowa was one of the most unique and fun ways to make your wagers. The concept of PointsBetting was an excellent way to multiply your winnings, promotions were frequent and generous, and the mobile app was one of the top options in the state.

You were encouraged to take advantage of the “Parlay Power Hour,” available from 5-6PM Central time every day. To participate, you placed any parlay of at least two legs and a stake of at least $20. If your parlay hit, you were awarded a $25 bonus bet in addition to your winning payout.

There wasn’t much to nitpick on the negative side, but there were a couple of areas where PointsBet could have improved. Expanding the payment methods list to include more options like Venmo, Google Pay, and Apple Pay would have made funding your account more convenient. Additionally, unless you were getting your cash in person, you might have noticed payout times could take a bit longer than other Iowa operators.

Our rating of PointsBet Sportsbook Iowa

(4.5)

Welcome bonus
(4)
Payment options
(4)
Sportsbook app
(5)
Variety & features
(5)
Customer support
(4)

IA Betting gave PointsBet Sportsbook Iowa an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5. This score was based on these factors:

  • Welcome bonus: Rating 4/5. The maximum $1,000 in bonus bets carried one of the most valuable rewards among Iowa bookies. However, because these were second chance bets, you needed to risk $1,000 of your own money first (over 10 days) to get the most out of the offer. The high upfront cost pulls the score down a touch here.
  • Payment options: Rating 4/5. PointsBet’s list of payment options was reasonable and ranks in the middle of the pack among its competitors. We’d like to see more e-wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo added in the future, possibly when the platform changes to Fanatics.
  • Sportsbook app: Rating 5/5. The sportsbook app is one thing we hope won’t change under the Fanatics branding. We’ve seldom encountered any issues while using the app and have found it to be swift and well-performing.
  • Variety and features: Rating 5/5. PointsBetting was a high-stakes, high-reward way to play that isn’t available with other bookmakers. While the platform could certainly add to the 13 sports available, it does cover the major North American sports leagues well. Parlay Power Hour is another excellent feature for returning players.
  • Customer support: Rating 4/5. PointsBet offered phone and email support in addition to its FAQ pages. You can also use the support chat on the web or in the app. However, these options aren’t all available 24/7, which bumps the score from a 5 to a 4.

FAQ

Was PointsBet Sportsbook in Iowa legit?

Yes, PointsBet Sportsbook in Iowa was legit. The bookmaker was licensed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) and must comply with all standards and applicable laws to retain its license.

What was the legal age in Iowa to bet on PointsBet Sportsbook?

The legal age in Iowa to bet on PointsBet Sportsbook was 21 years old. This is the case in nearly every U.S. state that allows online sports betting.

Who regulated PointsBet in Iowa?

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) regulated PointsBet in Iowa, along with all other legal betting operators. The IRGC sets industry standards and ensures sportsbooks are operating fairly and lawfully.