Iowa sports bettors have a new reason to look at this weekend's NFL slate. According to Covers.com, new BetMGM users in the Hawkeye State can use the bonus code COVERS1550 to claim a $1,500 First Bet offer plus $50 in bonus bets for Sunday's Texans vs. Jaguars game in London.
The offer was live as of Oct. 18, 2026, and Iowa is one of 14 jurisdictions where the $1,500 First Bet is available. The code must be entered at signup, and a minimum $10 deposit is required to get started.
How the BetMGM Bonus Code Works in Iowa
Covers.com reports that the COVERS1550 code is valid in AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MD, NC, OH, TN, VA and WY. Iowans who register with the code, deposit at least $10, and place a real money wager on Texans vs. Jaguars will activate the welcome bonus.
If that first bet loses, BetMGM returns the entire stake, up to $1,500, in bonus bets. Wagers over $50 come back as five bonus bets, each worth 20% of the qualifying bet. Wagers under $50 return a single bonus bet. A $1,500 losing bet, for example, would return five $300 bonus bets, and users also receive the extra $50 in bonus bets on top.
Winnings from a winning first bet are withdrawable immediately. Bonus bets expire seven days after they are issued, and only winnings are paid out, not the bonus bet stake.
Second Offer: Bet $10, Get $150
BetMGM also runs a Bet $10, Get $150 promotion in CO, MI, NJ, PA and WV with the code COVERSBONUS. That offer is not available in Iowa, but it gives bettors in those states $150 in bonus bets, issued as three $50 bonus bets, if a qualifying $10 first bet wins.
Sports Illustrated, which published its own report on the promotion, notes the offer is for new customers only and subject to eligibility requirements, and that bonus bets are non-withdrawable. Sports Illustrated's breakdown of the BetMGM offer confirms the same structure and deadline.
Why Texans vs. Jaguars Is the Target Game
The game carrying the promotion is Houston versus Jacksonville in London, one of the NFL's international showcases this season. Covers.com highlights a pick from analyst Jason Logan, who backs the Texans to cover at +2.5 at -105 odds.
Logan's reasoning centers on Houston's pass rush, led by sack leader Will Anderson Jr., against a Jacksonville offensive line missing left tackle Anton Harrison for the season. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has struggled under pressure, with his Pro Football Focus grade falling from 91.2 when kept clean to 36.4 when pressured, according to the Covers.com analysis.
A winning $10 bet at -105 would return roughly $9.52 in profit. A losing first bet, under the welcome offer, would return up to $1,500 in bonus bets plus the additional $50.
Steps to Claim the Offer
Covers.com lays out the process for new users:
- Register with BetMGM Sportsbook and enter your personal information.
- Enter bonus code COVERS1550, or COVERSBONUS in states where the Bet $10, Get $150 offer applies.
- Deposit at least $10 using your preferred payment method.
- Place your first bet on Texans vs. Jaguars.
- Receive bonus bets based on the offer available in your state.
The $1,500 First Bet offer must be claimed by 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 18, 2026. Users on any self-exclusion list cannot use BetMGM.
Responsible Gambling Tools Matter for Iowa Bettors
Sports betting is legal and regulated in Iowa, and bettors here have more consumer protections than in unregulated markets. BetMGM partners with GameSense to offer responsible gambling resources, including deposit limits, personal betting limits, and self-exclusion periods.
BetMGM also provides access to national and state-level organizations that specialize in gambling support. Those services are confidential, and many are available around the clock. Iowa residents who want help managing their betting can also use the state's own self-exclusion program through the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
The company's MGM Rewards program lets bettors earn points redeemable for hotel stays, dining and entertainment, adding a loyalty angle for regular users.
Iowa's Sports Betting Market Keeps Growing
Iowa legalized sports betting in 2019, and promotions like this one show how competitive the market has become. Sportsbooks routinely roll out welcome offers tied to marquee games, and the NFL's London series has become a favorite anchor for weekend promotions.
For Iowa fans tracking football action beyond the pros, the college ranks have delivered their own drama this fall, including the Hawkeyes climbing in the rankings while Georgia and Notre Dame fell and Iowa holding at No. 15 as Week 7 chaos reshuffled the Top 25.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the BetMGM bonus code COVERS1550 in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa is one of the 14 jurisdictions where the COVERS1550 code unlocks the $1,500 First Bet offer, according to Covers.com.
How much do I need to deposit to qualify?
A minimum $10 deposit is required, and you must place a real money wager to activate the welcome bonus.
When does the BetMGM offer expire?
The $1,500 First Bet offer must be claimed by 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 18, 2026, and bonus bets expire seven days after they are issued.
What happens if my first bet loses?
If your first bet loses, BetMGM returns your stake, up to $1,500, in bonus bets, plus an additional $50 in bonus bets under the COVERS1550 offer.