Iowa Casinos Record $136 Million in January Revenue, Up 2.4% Year-on-Year

^{The Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo led the way for gaming revenue growth in Iowa in January. (Photo: courtesy of Wyndham Hotels)}

Iowa’s 19 casinos recorded $136 million in revenue for January, up from the previous year’s figure of $132.8 million and representing a year-on-year increase of 2.4%.  

The figures, published by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, reveal that of the combined total, slots generated $122.4 million, up 2.7% year-on-year from $119.2 million. In contrast, table games recorded a minor decline for last month, dropping from $13.6 million to $13.5 million, a slight year-on-year decrease of 0.4%.  

As casino revenue increased in January, state lawmakers proposed legislation last month that would give the state’s gambling regulator greater power to take action against unlicensed gambling platforms. 

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• Legal casinos in Iowa

Eleven Casinos Report Increases in January 

Of the state’s 19 casinos, 11 reported year-on-year revenue increases last month, six recorded declines, and two remained stable.  

Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino recorded the highest revenue in January, up 6.1% year-on-year to $19.6 million. Slots revenue at the casino was up 6.9% to $17.8 million, while table games revenue declined 1.1% to $1.8 million.  

The second-highest generator of the month was Ameristar II. The casino's revenue remained stable at $13.4 million in January. Of this total, slots generated $12.1 million, up 2.5% year-on-year, whereas table games declined 14.3% to $1.4 million. 

Only two casinos recorded double-digit revenue increases: Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo reported a year-on-year increase of 15.9%, rising to $8.6 million, and Lakeside Casino was up 13.4% to $4.2 million.  

Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs had the biggest year-on-year decline in January, decreasing 7.2% to $12.8 million. Slots at the casino also decreased, falling 7% to $10.3 million, while table games declined 8% to $2.5 million.  

Other revenue drops came from Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino (-6.2%), Diamond Jo Dubuque (-4.7%), Grand Falls Casino Resort (-2.5%), Catfish Bend Casino (-1.4%), and Riverside Casino (-1.1%).  

Iowa Targets Unlicensed Operators in New Bill Proposal 

As casino revenue in Iowa remains positive, state lawmakers have also proposed a bill last month that would allow the state’s gambling regulator, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, to take action against unlawful operators in the state.  

The proposal, filed by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing for the 2026 legislative session, would essentially grant the Gaming Commission the power to issue cease-and-desist orders to offshore operators operating illegally in Iowa.  

According to Tina Eick, the administrator of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, the proposal would grant the regulator the authority it currently lacks.  

“When Iowans gamble on unlicensed platforms, they’re putting their money and their personal information at serious risk,” Eick told the Iowa Capital Dispatch. “So we’re trying to be proactive here.”