City Directory — Iowa
Casinos Near Altoona, Iowa
1 verified casino near Altoona. Browse the directory, check addresses, and compare players club options before you visit.
1 verified casino near Altoona. Browse the directory, check addresses, and compare players club options before you visit.
1 verified casino location within driving distance of Altoona.
Prairie Meadows runs its own Prairie Gold Rewards loyalty program — enroll at the players club desk to earn points on slots, table games, racing wagers, and dining purchases from your very first session. Sign up at the players club desk before your first session — points are not retroactive.
Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel is Iowa's largest commercial casino, operating an 85,000-square-foot gaming floor with over 1,900 slot machines, a full selection of table games, a poker room, and a Caesars Sportsbook. The property is uniquely owned by Polk County, Iowa, with profits distributed to local nonprofits and community organizations. An attached hotel, multiple dining outlets, a live horse racetrack, and an events center make it a full-service resort destination serving the greater Des Moines metro area.
Altoona is a suburb of Des Moines located approximately 12 miles east of the Iowa capital via I-80. The city of roughly 22,000 residents is home to Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel — Iowa’s largest casino property by gaming positions and the state’s most visited commercial casino. Prairie Meadows serves the entire Des Moines metro area, a market of nearly 700,000 people, as well as travelers on I-80 passing through central Iowa.
The pari-mutuel racetrack remains an active part of the operation. Prairie Meadows hosts live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing meets in spring and summer, typically running from late April through July. Race days draw both dedicated horseplayers and casual visitors who come to watch live racing from the grandstand or climate-controlled clubhouse seating. Simulcast racing from tracks around the country is available year-round in a dedicated simulcast area, with full wagering on all races.
The combination of live racing, slots, and table games under one roof makes Prairie Meadows one of a relatively small number of true racetrack casino hybrids operating in the United States today.
Prairie Meadows operates its own loyalty program called Prairie Gold Rewards. Players earn one tier point and one reward point for every $3 wagered on slots, video poker, and electronic table games. Racing wagers and qualified retail and dining purchases earn at a rate of one point per $1 spent. The program operates on four tiers — Gold, Platinum, Premier, and Elite — with increasing perks at each level including hotel rate discounts, multiplier promotions, birthday offers, and access to exclusive events. Unlike the national programs at Caesars or Boyd properties, Prairie Gold Rewards is managed entirely by Prairie Meadows and points do not transfer to other casino chains.
The attached hotel at Prairie Meadows offers guest rooms and suites. Multiple dining options cover the range from quick-service and buffet to sit-down restaurants. The Events Center hosts concerts, stand-up comedy, boxing events, and private gatherings throughout the year. Acts that have appeared at Prairie Meadows range from country music headliners to classic rock acts, reflecting the broad appeal of the Des Moines market.
From downtown Des Moines: Take I-80 east to Exit 142 (Altoona/Prairie Meadows Drive), then follow signs directly to the casino. The drive takes roughly 15 minutes from the city center. From the Des Moines International Airport: Take I-35/80 east to I-80 east, then Exit 142 (approximately 20 minutes). Free parking is available in large surface and covered lots surrounding the casino complex.
Travelers on I-80 between Chicago and Denver pass directly by Altoona, and the Prairie Meadows exit is well signed. The casino is approximately 3.5 hours west of Iowa City and about 3 hours east of Omaha.
The minimum gambling age at Prairie Meadows is 21. Iowa’s problem gambling helpline is 1-800-270-7117, available 24 hours daily.
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Most casino properties near Altoona offer a free loyalty club. Sign up at the players club desk before you play — points are not retroactive. Benefits typically include free-play credits, dining discounts, and hotel rates at casino resort properties.
The minimum gambling age in Iowa is 21 at most properties. Set a budget before you arrive and stick to it. If you experience problems with gambling, call 1-800-270-7117 — free, confidential, 24/7.