Indiana Sports Betting & Gambling News
Legal online sports betting is officially live in Indiana!
After the first licensed retail sportsbooks opened in Indiana in Sept. 2019, online sports betting quickly followed. Two online sportsbooks— DraftKings and BetRivers —are now open and taking bets from customers in Indiana.
PlayIndiana has everything you need to start betting on sports in Indiana right now. You can find sportsbook reviews, betting guides and the latest gambling news from across the state.
Which online sportsbooks are live in Indiana?
DraftKings Sportsbook and BetRivers Sportsbook brought online sports betting to Indiana when they took their mobile sports betting apps live on Oct. 3, 2019. FanDuel Sportsbook followed shortly after, launching on Oct. 22, 2019.
Expect several online sportsbook to launch in the coming days, including:
- Caesars Sportsbook — With a property at Harrah’s Hoosier Park and Indiana Grand you can almost guarantee Caesars, which has big plans for the future of sports betting, will be in the mix.
- William Hill Sportsbook — One of the early major players in US sports betting expansion, you will definitely see a William Hill sportsbook app in Indiana.
- Fox Bet — Fox Sports is partnered with The Stars Group, a huge international gaming company. The odds favor Fox getting into the market.
And that’s just a partial list. With the large number of licenses available, we could see dozens of sports betting apps eventually launch in the state.
IN Sports Betting Update
Last Updated: Oct. 28, 2019
Last week, FanDuel Sportsbook brought its popular mobile sports betting app to Indiana. It joins DraftKings and BetRivers in capitalizing on the nascent betting market.
Additionally, Majestic Casino’s owner, Spectacle Entertainment partnered with BetIndiana to launch an online sportsbook before the SuperBowl. The plan is to launch the mobile betting app without a retail sportsbook.
Indiana makes three states where daily fantasy sports giants, FanDuel and DraftKing take to the sports betting market to fight for dominance.
A three-week headstart in New Jersey wasn’t enough to keep DraftKings in the lead for long. It eventually relinquished the lead to FanDuel. We will soon see if three weeks is enough in Indiana to keep DraftKings on top.
IN Gambling News
IN Sportsbook Launch
| Online Sportsbook | Launch Date | Casino Partner |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Oct. 3, 2019 | Ameristar Casino |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Oct. 22, 2019 | Blue Chip Casino Belterra Casino |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Oct. 3, 2019 | French Lick Resort Casino |
| Caesars Sportsbook | TBA | Horseshoe Casino |
| William Hill Sportsbook | TBA | Tropicana Evansville |
Legal sportsbooks in Indiana
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed sports betting bill H 1015 into law back in May, and all involved seem determined to make the start of the 2019 NFL season, a big one. Sports betting is legal at state casinos, racinos, and off-track betting shops, as well as via sports betting apps and websites.
Existing laws license 10 land-based or riverboat casinos on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River. Additionally, there is one casino in French Lick and two racinos — casinos based at horse tracks. One tribal casino operates in the state and the new laws give it the opportunity to acquire a sports betting license too.
Most importantly of all, the new law allows for mobile sports betting. This was not in the first version of the law but was sensibly inserted before making it to the floor. In most markets, mobile sports betting accounts for around 80% of revenues.
The Indiana online sports betting market
Not all casinos have to apply for a sports betting license, and not all will want to add mobile sports betting. However, most will want in on the action. Here is the status of online sportsbooks in Indiana.
| Online Sportsbook | Casino Partner | Launch Date | iOS App | Android App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Ameristar | Live on Oct. 3, 2019 | Yes | Yes |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Blue Chip Casino Belterra Casino | Live on Oct. 22, 2019 | Yes | Yes |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | French Lick Resort Casino | Live on Oct. 3, 2019 | No | Yes |
| Scientific Games | Indiana Grand Casino | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Kambi | Hollywood Casino | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Scientific Games | Winner’s Circle Clarksville | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Scientific Games | Horseshoe Casino | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Scientific Games | Horseshoe Southern Indiana | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| William Hill | Tropicana Evansville | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Scientific Games | Winner’s Circle Clarksville | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Scientific Games | Hoosier Park | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Scientific Games | Winner’s Circle New Haven | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| BetIndiana | Majestic Star I & II Casinos | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Bet America | Rising Star Casino Resort | TBA | TBA | TBA |
The future of sports betting in Indiana
Indiana has taken the right approach to regulated sports betting. Fees and taxes are low, mobile sports betting is permitted and there are relatively limited restrictions on sports and bet types.
Indiana has not demanded that players sign up for online accounts in person as some other states have done.
However, as it stands, the success of Indiana sports betting legislation will be limited.
It is a mistake not to legislate for online casino games and online poker. International experience shows that the proportion of customers attracted to the legal sites reduces if their favorite gambling games are not offered.
Online casino games generate phenomenal revenues for New Jersey and ensure that no one needs to go to a black market site to have a gamble. A few things are missing, but New Jersey is 90% of the way there.
Gambling legislation is always promoted as a customer protection issue. If the legislation doesn’t attract the maximum percentage of bettors from black market sites it can’t be a success.
The proof of the pudding will be in the revenue numbers. On a per capita basis, they are almost certainly going to be lower than New Jersey.
Assuming sports betting does succeed there is a good chance that online poker and casino games can be added to the mix.
Indiana FAQ
Is gambling legal in Indiana?
Yes. There are 13 land-based casino properties in the state. In addition, the state is also home to the Hoosier Lottery.
Is sports betting legal in Indiana?
Sports betting is legal in Indiana as of September 2019. Online sports betting is live as of October 3, 2019.
When will online sportsbooks launch in Indiana?
The first online sportsbooks went live on October 3, 2019. Both DraftKings and BetRivers launched their mobile sports betting apps in October 2019.
When will online casinos launch in Indiana?
It’s not clear. Online casino gambling is still explicitly outlawed in Indiana, and no laws to legalize have made any noise there recently.
When will online poker launch in Indiana?
Not soon. Online poker will probably launch after online casinos, due to its overall low profitability. So, it’s not clear when any online gambling will occur in Indiana, and online poker will probably have to wait its turn.
Are offshore sportsbooks legal or safe?
Offshore sports betting sites may be acting legally based on the laws in their home countries, but it doesn’t mean they are legal under US law.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) made it illegal for the US financial system to process transactions to gambling sites that don’t comply with US law.
All online gambling sites that are not licensed by a US state are inevitably going to breach the UIGEA if they serve US customers.
As to safety, that is simple. No matter how apparently reputable an offshore operator appears, you have no legal recourse in the event that things go wrong.
There are good reasons to leave your offshore operator and join the state-regulated market:
- Better betting options and software.
- Deposits and withdrawals are fast and certain.
- You have legal protection for your funds.
- Introductory bonuses are generally better at US sites because players’ average spend is higher.
- In-game betting is rarely available at offshore sites.
- Revenues that flow offshore do nothing for the local economy
- Your money is not safe offshore! Many sites have gone bankrupt leaving no way for customers to get their deposits back.
How old do I have to bet to bet online in Indiana?
The only active online betting in Indiana is DFS, which requires players to be 18 or older. However, since Indiana requires casino patrons to be 21 or older, it is likely that online sportsbooks will operate with the same requirements.
Can I bet online using a mobile device?
Generally, no. Online gambling is mostly prohibited and a criminal act in Indiana. The only exceptions are daily fantasy sports, which has been legal since 2016, and online sports betting, which should launch sometime in the coming months.
What can you bet on in Indiana?
Casino gambling is available at several land-based facilities throughout the state. These locations offer every type of gambling commonly found in most casinos. There is even sports betting at some of them. Indianans can also play the lottery in their home state.
Why Choose a Regulated Site?
1. Better Odds
Regulated sportsbooks must contend with competition in the marketplace that black or grey market sites do not. An offshore site could rest comfortably in the knowledge that it is the only game in town, so to speak. Because regulated sportsbooks will always have a competitor nipping at their heels, they must ensure that their odds remain competitive and appealing to the market.
2. Legal and Licensed
There is a peace that comes with playing at a legal site that cannot come on offshore sites. Offshore players must contend with the risk that a) the site will be shut down, or b) the site will take their money without any recourse. Because legal sportsbooks must comply with so much legal oversight, it is a far less-stressful endeavor to wager on them.
3. Safe and Secure
Part of the problem with offshore books is that one can never be sure if company management has their fingers in the till. If all player funds are shuffled into the corporate account, there’s no way to know who might take money out or if the account has enough cash to cover outstanding bets. With regulated sites, players can rest assured that they can withdraw their money, and if something goes wrong, the government will be in their corner.
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
| IN Responsible Gambling Tools Gambling of any type carries the potential for ruinous addiction. If you are struggling to cope with a need to gamble, make sure to get the help that you need. Here are two resources that can aid you in your quest for recovery. |  |
| IGC Self-Exclusion Registration Admitting that there’s a problem is often the first step in treatment for any addiction. For problem gamblers, it is advised that they submit their name and information to Indiana’s self-exclusion registry. Registration on the list is permanent, and will bar the player from gambling in any legal establishment there, but it can be an invaluable step in the fight against the disease of addiction. |  |
| IN CPG The National Council on Problem Gambling is a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide support and information for those affected by gambling addiction. The organization maintains a 24-hour confidential helpline at 1-800-522-4700. There is also a live chat feature at ncpgambling.org/chat that can instantly connect sufferers with helpline experts. |  |
Legal framework on Indiana’s gambling laws
Indiana is not a very friendly state for online gambling, generally speaking. It is one of the few states to criminalize the activity itself. So, it’s a bit surprising that online sports betting is imminent in the Hoosier State. Here’s the status for all types of gambling in Indiana:
- Sports Betting
- Sports betting is legal, as of May 2019
- Both retail and land-based are permitted, although only retail has launched so far.
- Operators must pay a $100,000 licensing fee, then a $50,000 annual renewal.
- The sportsbooks’ adjusted gross revenue is to be taxed at 9.5%.
- Online Poker / Online casinos / Online horse betting
- There are no online poker sites, online casinos present in the state.
- The situation is unlikely to change, but successful sports betting could potentially start the conversation.
What you can’t bet on in Indiana
Aside from sports betting, there is very little online gambling permitted under Indiana state law. The only other major type of gambling in the Hoosier State is daily fantasy sports play. Interestingly, Indiana is one of the few states to codify DFS as specifically legal.
Within sports betting, there are two substantial prohibitions or potential prohibitions. They are:
- There can be no wagering on esports
- Indiana bettors cannot bet on athletes under the age of 18.
The Indiana Gaming Commission also keeps a tight hold on live betting and data sourcing. Both are subject to the discretion of the IGC in terms of what is acceptable to use or offer.