Gambling in Indiana
Gambling in Indiana has always been an issue that people have debated over the years. Following changes to state restrictions, lawmakers have now legalized sports betting in the Hoosier State. With the popularity of Indiana’s casino riverboats as booming as ever, will we see legislators legalize online casinos any time soon? If sports betting is a success, we might see changes sooner than predicted.
Gambling in Indiana has always been an issue that people have debated over the years. Following changes to state restrictions, lawmakers have now legalized sports betting in the Hoosier State. With the popularity of Indiana’s casino riverboats as booming as ever, will we see legislators legalize online casinos any time soon? If sports betting is a success, we might see changes sooner than predicted.
Available in this state
The Top Sports Betting Sites in Indiana
Lawmakers legalized sports betting in Indiana in September 2019, with online sports betting launching slightly before the New Year. If you are searching for a great site to place bets on your favorite sports in this state, sign up to one of our favorite sites here.
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Hey partner, We're sorry to inform you that we don't have any deals available just now. Currently, we are vetting regulated online gambling and betting sites for every state. In a few weeks you'll find our pick of the best sites right here, so check back soon. In the meantime, you might be interested in learning more about sports betting, the best sports to bet on and interesting strategies.
MORE ABOUT SPORTS BETTINGOnline Sports Betting Rules in Indiana
Following the overturning of the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, many states rushed to introduce some sort of legislation surrounding sports betting. IN is no exception to this, and their House of Representatives established changes with the House Enrolled Act 1015-2019. Governor Eric Holcomb placed the first legal bets at the Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. He made three $10 bets; for the Indianapolis Colts to win the Super Bowl, for the Pacers to win the NBA Championships, and for the Indiana Fever to win their next game. He also pledged to donate the money to charity if he won any of the bets.
If you want to try your hand at this type of wagering in the Hoosier State, sports betting is available at several brick-and-mortar locations around the state. Several sportsbooks have also introduced betting through their apps. Initially, legislators hoped to launch retail and online sports betting in Indiana at the same time, however they first focused on retail locations with mobile support coming later.
To place bets in Indiana, you must be 21+. Sports betting apps use geofencing technology to ensure that bettors are within state borders. If you are heading to a brick-and-mortar location instead, you can find sports books in Indiana at many of the major casinos around the state.
Are Online Casinos Legal in Indiana?
Though sports betting is now legal in Indiana, online gambling at casinos is not. It is one of the few states that actively prohibits play at online casinos. Though the state hasn’t brought any charges against players using banned offshore sites, it considers the using of them a Class B misdemeanor.
What players can do is head to one of the many riverboat casinos scattered around the state. Riverboat casinos have been legal in Indiana since 1993. Land-based casinos also began to emerge in the 90s, plus two “racinos” that combined a racing track and casino in 2008 and 2009. These racinos offer all the draws of casinos including table games like poker. The Hoosier State heavily regulates slots, but you can find some casinos that offer this form of gambling in Indiana.
However, another reason to head to the casinos is for sports betting. In Indiana, casino sports betting is an easy way for regulators to place multiple licenses and regulations in one location. Rather than have their licenses spread across the state, they will keep them at a few venues. It is also great news for players. They will be able to indulge in table games and place bets on their favorite teams at the best sports betting casino in the state.
Though the state currently restricts it, online casino laws may change if we see sports betting is successful. The state already has a significant income thanks to its land-based and riverboat casinos, with the next logical step being to change the laws surrounding online casinos. If the state introduces any new bills to that effect, you will be able to follow their progress on this page.
Playing Online Poker in Indiana
In Indiana, the state also highly restricts online gambling in the form of internet poker. Just like online casinos, players should not trust any site claiming to offer online poker to players from IN as the state does not regulate them. Instead, players will have to head to one of the 10 poker rooms scattered around the Hoosier State’s brick-and-mortar casinos.
Indiana might legalize poker following the changes to the law in Pennsylvania. If online poker proves to be a success there, lawmakers in IN might decide to make similar changes. The state could draw quite a bit of revenue from online poker sites if it decides to regulate them. If legislators bring forward any bills or amendments to the law, you will be able to follow them on this page.
The Top Daily Fantasy Sports Sites in Indiana
Following a new law in 2016, the state began to legalize and regulate fantasy sports. Sign up to one of our favorite fantasy sports providers for players in Indiana here.
No Deals Available Yet!
Hey partner, We're sorry to inform you that we don't have any deals available just now. Currently, we are vetting regulated online gambling and betting sites for every state. In a few weeks you'll find our pick of the best sites right here, so check back soon. In the meantime, you might be interested in learning more about sports betting, the best sports to bet on and interesting strategies.
MORE ABOUT SPORTS BETTINGHow Daily Fantasy Sports Became Legal in Indiana
In 2016, IN’s State Senate passed the Senate Enrolled Act 339-2016. This established paid fantasy sports as a form of gambling in the Hoosier State. Several major providers offer their products for both fantasy sports and now for sportsbooks, including DraftKings and FanDuel. Players can take part in several different fantasy sports and leagues but must be 18+ to play. When playing through a mobile app, providers use geo-fencing to determine that players are within Indiana’s state borders.
How to Play the State Lottery in Indiana
Indiana established the Hoosier Lottery after a referendum in 1988, and launched it in May 1989. Earlier lotteries had tried to establish themselves during the 19th century before a state ban in 1851.
Nowadays players can enjoy several daily draw games for low prices. The twice-weekly Hoosier Lotto has jackpots starting from $1 million, and it was also the first Indiana lottery game. The Hoosier Lottery also takes part in the multi-jurisdictional games Cash4Life, Mega Millions, and Powerball.
You can buy tickets for the lottery at any of the regulated retailers that you see listed on the official website. They have an official app where you can check your numbers to see if you have a win, or you can look online. Their free myLOTTERY scheme allows players to enter second chance draws and receive exclusive promotions.
Other Important Facts About Gambling in Indiana
The online gambling legislation has several benefits for the state. Firstly, the state collects a 9.5% tax on sports betting revenue. Licenses have an initial fee of $100,000 and an annual renewal fee of $50,000 afterward. Players can only bet on professional and college sports. It is illegal to place bets on youth or high school sporting events.
To enforce the state’s strict anti-gambling laws, the Indiana Gaming Commission has a law enforcement branch with police powers known as the Gaming Control Division. The state established this department in 2007 and it consists of 16 officers who have special training in investigating illegal gambling.
Gambling in Indiana is worth nearly $1 billion a year in tax revenue. Most goes to the state fund, then to the Indiana Build Fund for infrastructure projects, then to the towns that host the casinos. Any surplus will then go to other funds around IN, such as state pensions.
Since its inception in 1989, the Indiana State Lottery has paid out $13.9 billion to winners and has given back $4.4 billion to the Indiana Build Fun. What’s more, it has given $887.6 million to the Teachers’ Retirement Fund, and $699.7 million to local firefighter and police pensions.
The Future of Gambling in Indiana
IN’s new sports betting laws are a great move and should help to bring in quite a bit of revenue for state funds. The combination of this increase in revenue plus new laws in other nearby states might help to speed up the legalization of online casinos and poker in Indiana. If legislators make any changes to the law soon, you will be able to follow any updates on this page.
FAQS
Is gambling legal in Indiana?
In Indiana, online gambling is legal for sports betting and fantasy sports. The state does not permit play at online casinos and poker rooms.
Does Indiana have any casinos?
IN does have brick-and-mortar casinos. This state is famous for its riverboat casinos on the Ohio River. You can also visit several casinos around the state, including the two racinos of Hoosier Park and the Indiana Grand Casino.
Is online sports betting legal in Indiana?
Online sports betting is legal in the Hoosier State. Players must be 21+ to place a bet and must be located within the state borders.
Is DraftKings legal in Indiana?
Both DraftKings sportsbook and fantasy sports are legal in Indiana.
Jennifer Marsh
Jennifer is constantly on the lookout for the latest updates on US gambling legislation. She has a soft spot for blackjack and poker, but spends a lot of time writing about other facets of the online gambling world as well.