Tipico first entered the U.S. in September 2020 in New Jersey and has since expanded to Colorado, Ohio, and Iowa, though it has operated internationally since 4 in the casino space. The Iowa launch came in January 2023 through a partnership with the Isle Casino Hotel in Waterloo, which was owned by Caesars. The casino also held skins for Caesars and SuperBook.
Because Tipico didn’t begin taking wagers in the Hawkeye State until more than three years after the state’s initial launch, it was playing catch-up with other Iowa gambling operators. However, it still generated respectable betting handle numbers and had already outperformed multiple other sportsbooks that launched in 2022 or before. Unfortunately, it closed on July 31, 2024, following its purchase by LeoVegas.
What were the best features of Tipico Sportsbook Iowa?
Tipico Sportsbook Iowa had many great features and traits that helped it see early success in the state. Here were some of the best features on the platform:
Tipico Iowa had a small list of deposit methods, though this wasn’t entirely the fault of the sportsbook. Iowa law did not allow you to fund your sports gambling bankroll by using a credit card, which was a common payment option in other states. Here were the deposit methods for Tipico Iowa; note that all options had a $10 deposit minimum:
Leading sports leagues you could bet on using Tipico IA
Tipico IA offered 16 unique sports on its platform, including some of the more obscure options like handball, table tennis, and darts. However, we expected the following to be the leading sports leagues you could bet on using Tipico IA:
Tipico’s sports betting app in Iowa
Tipico’s betting app was available for both iOS and Android users in Iowa, and because Tipico didn’t release a unique app for each state where it held a license, playing on the go was easy and convenient. This was favorable to some other betting apps in Iowa. The app held a 4.6/5 rating in both app stores, showing reliable performance across devices.
Reviewers were quick to point out that Tipico frequently had more favorable odds than they were able to find with other bookmakers. They also commented on the navigability of the app and the ease of placing a wager.
However, we did notice some recurring themes in the negative reviews. Early cash-out was something that regularly tripped up the app's performance and would either cause the app to freeze or log that player out of their account.
Additionally, there were issues with the geolocation service, though the dates of those reported issues seemed to be a more dated problem that was remedied by recent updates.
How you could download the Tipico app on iOS
Downloading the Tipico app on your iOS device was quick and straightforward. Here’s how you could install it:
After the app was downloaded, you could create your Tipico account, make a deposit, and claim the welcome bonus.
How you could download the Tipico app on Android
Downloading the Tipico app on your Android device followed a similar process to the iOS steps. Here’s what you needed to do:
After the app was done downloading, you could log in with your Tipico account credentials or sign up for a new account if you hadn’t already done so.
Customer support of Tipico Sportsbook Iowa
One noticeable drawback to Tipico Sportsbook Iowa’s customer support was that it wasn’t available 24/7 for all channels. While you could send an email at any time for assistance, the turnaround time for a response was typically 1-2 days. Live chat and phone support were also options, but both had limitations on their hours of operation.
Fortunately, most of the time, you could utilize the FAQ pages to point yourself in the right direction. The support pages were detailed but concise, and it was easy to search for and locate the correct information.
Did Tipico have a retail location in Iowa?
No, Tipico did not have a retail location in Iowa. Fortunately, the betting app and website provided an enjoyable sports betting experience as an alternative.
Tipico Sportsbook’s legal status in Iowa
Tipico Sportsbook is not legal anymore in Iowa, but was licensed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC). As part of the licensing process, Tipico proved it was compliant with the IRGC’s standards for fair gaming, cybersecurity, and other consumer protection practices, like every other legal Iowa sportsbook.
You could trust Tipico to protect your banking and personal information, especially as a failure on the company’s part to do so would have resulted in license revocation and other significant legal penalties. However, Tipico closed in Iowa on July 31, 2024.
Our expert opinion on Tipico Iowa
In our expert opinion, Tipico Iowa was a satisfactory alternative to other sportsbooks in the state. Offering an excellent mobile app for new sports bettors, a wide range of sports to choose from, and a respectable welcome bonus, Tipico brought a lot to the table.
We particularly appreciated the Request a Bet feature, allowing users to petition Tipico for a market they’d like to play that wasn’t listed on the site or in the app. This approach was rare among sports betting operators and could give users an extra degree of flexibility in crafting their betting slips.
With that in mind, there were a couple of ways Tipico could have continued to improve. Expanding the list of accepted payment options would have helped broaden the player base, as signing up for another service like Play+ could be enough of a hassle for some bettors that they would stay away. Furthermore, ensuring customer support was fully available 24/7 would have been a great next step.
