Iowaβs licensed casinos and sports wagering operators generated nearly $27.9 million in state tax revenue for August 2026, according to figures provided to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
Casino gaming revenue was $131.4 million in August 2026, a 13.1% decrease from August 2025. State tax revenue is down 4.71% year-over-year. Starting with July 2026, monthly and fiscal year numbers no longer include promotional play from casino revenue. A gradual phase-out of the taxation of promotional play began in fiscal year 2022 with the passage of SF619.
βAs expected, casino revenue and state taxes continue to be lower than the prior year given the law change on promotional play,β Administrator Tina Eick noted.
Monthly sports wagering revenue for August was reported at $17.12 million, a 22.4% decrease from last August. However, the wagering handle increased to $185.5 million, an increase of around $4 million year-over-year.
Casino Revenue and Taxes
Iowa casinos reported a decrease of 13.12% in revenue compared with August 2025. Gaming taxes collected by the state decreased 4.71% from August 2025:
- $131.37 million β Adjusted Gross Revenue
- $26.75 million β State Gaming Taxes
Sports Wagering Revenue and Taxes
Sports wagering operations in the state reported a 22.45% revenue decrease from August 2025. State taxes on sports wagering decreased by 22.14% compared with August 2025:
- $17.1 million β Sports Wagering Revenue
- $1.15 million β State Sports Wagering Taxes
Additional Information
As of August 2026, a total of 19 state-licensed casinos are operating in Iowa. Currently, 10 state-licensed entities offer online sports betting in the state. Details for each casino and sports betting operatorβs revenue statistics are available on the IRGC website.
The mission of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is to administer the laws and rules for gambling and wagering in Iowa in order to ensure the integrity of licensees and their operations, maintain public confidence in regulated gambling and wagering activities in Iowa, and promote economic development for the citizens of Iowa. Learn more at our Mission Statement. A detailed history of the Commission can be found at Commission History.
Gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, call 1-800-BETS-OFF or visit yourlifeiowa.org for additional resources. Iowa residents can also visit irgc.iowa.gov for information on the statewide self-exclusion program.
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