Iowa Casino Revenue Falls 6.2% To $132.6M In October As State Tax Take Rises
Iowa's licensed casinos reported $132.63 million in adjusted gross revenue in October 2026, a 6.15% decrease from October 2025, according to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
State gaming taxes from casinos still rose 2.47% to $27.2 million. Combined with sports wagering, the state collected $29.10 million in tax revenue for the month.
The figures are published monthly for every property, and you can compare the state's legal options in our Iowa online casino guide.
Why The Headline Fell
The Commission said that monthly and fiscal-year numbers will no longer include promotional play in casino revenue, beginning in July 2026.
That follows a gradual phase-out of the taxation of promotional play that began in fiscal year 2022 with the passage of SF619.
Administrator Tina Eick said: "The numbers continue to show a stable casino industry in the state. Despite a decline in adjusted gross revenue likely due to the change in taxation on promotional play, tax revenue to the state is up, indicating Iowa's casinos as a whole are off to a good start for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2027."
That reading is consistent with September, when casinos reported $128.2 million, down 2.63%, as covered in our previous monthly update.
Where The Money Was Made
Slots generated $118.98 million of the October total across 13,675 machines, with an 8.91% hold. Table games contributed $13.65 million across 413 tables, a hold of 21.31%.
Admissions totalled 1,318,758 and win per visit averaged $101, according to the Commission's October gaming revenue report.
Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino led all 19 properties with $19.76 million, ahead of Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs at $13.83 million and Ameristar II at $10.34 million.
Riverside Casino and Golf Resort ($9.40 million) and Diamond Jo Worth ($9.24 million) also cleared $9 million.
Prairie Meadows also posted the highest average daily win per slot machine at $456, followed by Horseshoe Council Bluffs at $327 and Hard Rock Casino at $323.
The Mid-Sized Properties
Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo reported $7.91 million, Rhythm City Casino $7.64 million, Grand Falls Casino Resort $7.49 million and Hard Rock Casino $7.43 million.
Diamond Jo Dubuque took $6.57 million and Isle of Capri Bettendorf $6.21 million.
The smallest results came from Bally's Marquette at $2.49 million, the Wild Rose casinos in Emmetsburg at $2.43 million, Clinton at $2.56 million, and Jefferson at $2.77 million. Great River Casino Resort reported $3.25 million.
Slot drop across the state was $951.9 million on $1.34 billion of coin-in, while table drop was $64.1 million.
Sports Betting In October
Sports wagering revenue was $28.18 million on a handle of $314.50 million, with $1.90 million in state sports wagering taxes.
The Commission said 10 state-licensed entities currently offer online sports betting in Iowa.
Bettors comparing the licensed apps can use our Iowa sportsbook guide for current offers and state availability.
What To Watch
Because the promotional play change took effect in July, year-over-year comparisons will stay distorted until the new basis has been in place for a full year.
Tax receipts are the cleaner measure in the meantime, and they have grown in the most recent months.
The Commission publishes each month's property-level data on its website. Iowa residents who need support can call 1-800-BETS-OFF or visit yourlifeiowa.org.
The statewide self-exclusion programme is described on the regulator's site.
Refer to Cashback Terms & Conditions for full program terms.
