Iowa’s gaming regulator recently imposed a hefty fine on FanDuel, a situation prompted by multiple violations of sports betting rules in the state. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) levied a total penalty of $95,000 for two infractions that took place between June 2024 and July 2025, involving unauthorized betting markets related to basketball and soccer.
One of the infractions came to light after FanDuel self-reported its activities concerning the Maharlika Pilipanas Basketball League (MPBL). The operator acknowledged it allowed wagers on this league from June 4, 2024, to April 2, 2025, despite it not being recognized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). According to Iowa regulations, betting is only allowed on leagues that are sanctioned by FIBA, and the MPBL does not meet this criterion. The IRGC emphasized that any league without the necessary authorization cannot be approved for wagering in Iowa, as documented in an agreement formalized on July 27.
FanDuel's review uncovered that it had accepted 21,638 bets on MPBL games in Iowa, amounting to a total handle of $1.1 million. The company profited approximately $60,692 from these wagers, which led to a revision of its monthly revenue report. Consequently, FanDuel adjusted its revenue total for July 2025 by reducing it by $60,110. For the breach concerning the MPBL, the IRGC fined FanDuel $50,000.
A routine compliance check conducted by the IRGC in July 2025 resulted in another fine for FanDuel. The review identified that FanDuel had offered unauthorized betting markets on the issuance of yellow and red cards during international soccer matches, which violates the commission's regulations against prop bets linked to officiating decisions. This particular activity occurred from June 4 to July 8, 2025, and involved a parlay wager of $134.58, which lost on all legs. Notably, FanDuel could not identify the individual who placed the wager and subsequently forfeited the wager amount of $44.86 as unclaimed property and deducted it from its August 2025 revenue. For this infraction, FanDuel was fined $45,000.
FanDuel has faced penalties in Iowa previously for betting-related violations. IRGC Administrator Tina Eick remarked on the situation, stating that the commission aims to convey a serious message regarding compliance. In July 2024, FanDuel incurred a fine of $125,000 for five different violations involving betting markets and responsible gaming operations. Moreover, the operator had previously accepted improper wagers on various events, including the Super Bowl and Olympic competitions, while also lacking adequate responsible gaming protections, leading to significant changes in its operational procedures in Iowa.
In addition to the Iowa fines, FanDuel faced a $252,000 fine from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) in January for not detecting suspicious betting activities in table tennis matches. In March 2026, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission imposed a $5,000 fine for accepting college player prop wagers, contrary to state regulations restricting such bets. These actions highlight ongoing compliance issues for FanDuel across different jurisdictions.
