Dubuque is eastern Iowa's casino hub — two established gaming properties on the banks of the Mississippi River, plus Iowa's full sports betting menu.
Two full-service casino properties serving eastern Iowa and the Tri-State Mississippi River area
Operator: Boyd Gaming
Amenities: Full-service dining · Bar & lounge · Live entertainment venue · Hotel on site
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Sports betting: Retail sports betting available on property
Parking: Free parking ramp
Operator: Dubuque Racing Association
Amenities: Dining · Bar · Outdoor entertainment space · Events facility
Former greyhound racing venue; live racing ended 2009; casino operations continue
Hours: 8am–2am (hours may vary)
Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque sits on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Dubuque, just steps from the city's historic waterfront district. Operated by Boyd Gaming — one of the largest casino operators in the United States — Diamond Jo offers a full Vegas-style gaming floor including over 750 slot machines, 30+ table games, and a live poker room. The property is a cornerstone of Dubuque's revitalized Port of Dubuque entertainment district, which includes restaurants, the Mississippi River Museum, and the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.
301 Bell St, Dubuque, IA 52001
Boyd Gaming Corporation
750+ slot machines, penny to high-limit
30+ including blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, three-card poker
Live poker room with cash games and tournaments
Full-service restaurant and bar
Live music and events venue
Open 24 hours / 7 days
Dubuque is Iowa's oldest city and sits at the intersection of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois on the upper Mississippi River. With a population of ~60,000 in the city and 100,000+ in the metro, Dubuque punches above its weight as a regional destination. Its casino properties draw visitors from all three bordering states, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and the broader eastern Iowa corridor including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities.
Dubuque's casinos serve a regional catchment area that stretches across three states. Wisconsin and Illinois residents without nearby casino options cross into Iowa regularly, making Dubuque's properties among the most regionally diverse in Iowa's gaming network. The city's location on the Great River Road — a nationally designated scenic byway — also draws tourism traffic that mixes with casino visitors.
Both Dubuque casino properties offer on-site retail sports betting. Iowa mobile sports betting is available statewide once activated at a licensed Iowa casino.
Iowa law allows retail (in-person) sports betting at licensed casinos. Both Diamond Jo and Mystique Casino offer sports betting kiosks and windows on property. Bet on NFL, NCAA football, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more — in person at either Dubuque property.
Iowa requires initial in-person registration at a licensed Iowa casino to activate mobile betting. Once activated at Diamond Jo or Mystique, you can use DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and ESPN Bet from anywhere in Iowa.
Operators: DraftKings · FanDuel · BetMGM · Caesars · ESPN Bet
Activate at Dubuque casino
Activate at Dubuque casino
Activate at Dubuque casino
Activate at Dubuque casino
Iowa Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-BETS-OFF — Free, confidential support available 24/7.
Quad Cities
Distance: ~75 miles south
Highlights: 900+ slots · 24 table games · Hotel · Quad Cities gaming district
Opening Dec. 31, 2026
Distance: ~90 miles southwest
Highlight: Iowa's newest casino opening — December 31, 2026
Watch for opening night details
Des Moines Area
Distance: ~150 miles west
Highlights: Iowa's largest casino · 1,600+ slots · Horse racing · Hotel
The Cedar Rapids casino opening on New Year's Eve 2026 will reshape Iowa's eastern gaming corridor. Cedar Rapids is 90 minutes from Dubuque — the new property won't replace Dubuque's casinos but will create a new regional hub for Iowa Corridor players.
Iowa's legal sports betting market continues to grow with each major sports season. Both Dubuque properties benefit from retail sportsbook traffic — and once visitors register in person, they're locked in as mobile users for every Iowa operator.
Dubuque sits at the northern end of the Mississippi River gaming corridor that runs through the Quad Cities and down through Illinois. As Illinois expands gaming and Iowa adds new properties, the upper Mississippi remains one of the most gaming-dense corridors in the Midwest.
Diamond Jo and Mystique Casino bring full-service gaming to Iowa's Mississippi River city. Explore either property, activate Iowa sports betting, or continue exploring the full Iowa casino network.
The complete Iowa casino hub — all 19+ licensed properties and Iowa sports betting operators
Visit BestInIowa.CasinoCedar Rapids casino guide — Iowa's newest casino opening December 31, 2026
Visit CedarRapids.CasinoQuad Cities casino guide — the Iowa/Illinois border gaming market
Visit QuadCities.CasinoThe complete Midwest casino directory — Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, and beyond
Visit MidWest.Casino