Iowa gaming has experienced significant growth since the 1990s, which can be attributed to the expansion of casino operations along the Mississippi River and in other prominent locations around the state. As travelers pass through Nebraska, it is not uncommon for them to enter Iowa to experience its burgeoning gaming industry. In 1991, Iowa passed legislation that allowed riverboat casinos to operate within its borders, but due to a Supreme Court ruling, the state opted to allow casinos to operate on land in 2004, repealing an initial requirement that forced riverboats to spend a short time sailing during a specific gaming period.

One notable location for gaming enthusiasts is Council Bluffs, a city in southwestern Iowa named after the historic Council Bluffs buttes in the area. Council Bluffs lies directly across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska, and boasts multiple casinos, including the widely popular Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino, located near the Council Bluffs Interstate 80 Business Loop. Visitors can experience a wide variety of slots, video poker games, and other major table games in this historic complex, originally built as a premier Iowa civic center before undergoing renovations to create its current gaming setup.

In addition to its numerous casinos, Iowa also boasts a modest but thriving network of pari-mutuel horse racing tracks. Among them is Horseshoe Council Bluffs, a historic racetrack and home of the famous Bluffs Run Greyhound Park. Although Horseshoe Council Bluffs has largely transitioned away from hosting Greyhound racing due to shifting local gambling laws and emerging competition from nearby establishments, it continues to attract dedicated bettors and racing enthusiasts alike.

The prairie town of Altoona is another rapidly expanding gaming hub within Iowa. Home to the Adventureland amusement park and Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Altoona serves as a central gathering place for visitors who seek not only adrenaline-fueled fun but also exclusive chances to grow their winnings at various betting attractions and card tables. A prime example of this growth can be found in Prairie Meadows itself, one of Iowa's largest casino and racetrack venues.

Southland Casino Racing Prairie Meadows is not the only entity capable of leveraging advanced gaming software in a multi-platform setup. Indeed, casinos in Iowa continuously strive to modernize gaming spaces to comply with the current high-tech expectations and demands for varied betting formats that dominate online landscapes.

Eldora, a rural community in northern Iowa with limited entertainment options, has actually opted to develop an exclusive partnership with software integration company FastBet concerning streamlined risk management solutions on electronic table formats that bolster Iowa Gaming industry, proving the presence of technology amidst land-based Iowa Gaming establishments.

Travelers interested in exploring more gaming cities and casino options may find opportunities to try their luck in Davenport, where Jumer's Casino Rock Island provides wide access to riverfront table games. And more north, a hub at Landmark Square, known as historic district of Davenport could give several insights to potential patrons, curious about Iowa Gaming, while the chance to gamble is indeed not the primary reason for visiting Iowa.

Today Iowa Gaming Authority continuously examines how market adjustments pertain across unique gaming demographics.