A new day has dawned in the Hoosier State. It is confirmed that BetRivers Sportsbook will open their virtual windows today, Thursday, Oct. 3.
Richard Schwartz, President of Rush Street Interactive commented on the launch in a press release.
“What better time to launch than in the height of football season, the start of baseball playoffs and just before basketball returns? We know our players are really going to appreciate the convenience of being able to place wagers online anywhere in Indiana, adding to the excitement of these sporting events.
“Our experience and success in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York allows us to zero-in on what players want – a massive range of sports betting options, through reliable and scalable technology, with responsive customer service, and fast payouts.”
Additionally, after receiving authorization from the Indiana Gaming Commission yesterday, DraftKings Sportsbook is also expected to accept its first bets today – barring any hiccups.
While it may not be long until others join the fray, BetRivers Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook are currently the only legal mobile sportsbooks in the state.
Residents of and visitors can now bet online in Indiana, keeping a few things in mind.
What to know the BetRivers and DraftKings mobile sportsbooks
Rush Street Interactive operates the BetRivers mobile sports betting app under French Lick Casino‘s license. Rush Street operates mobile sportsbooks under the Sugarhouse brand in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but those sportsbooks will be rebranded BetRivers.
DraftKings is now operating in Indiana through its partnership with Penn National Gaming. Penn National operates the Ameristar Casino in East Chicago, through which DraftKings has entered the market in the Hoosier State.
When Sugarhouse launched in Pennsylvania, customers were required to create a new account – even if they had an account in New Jersey. Even customers already registered with French Lick’s retail books should be prepared to complete the online registration.
On the other hand, customers with DraftKings account should be good to go. DraftKings’ one app approach means existing customers should have access to their account in Indiana after being geo-located to the state.
Registering for new accounts at either sportsbook requires a government-issued ID to prove your age, among other things.
The registration process will also ask for your legal address. You do not have to be a resident of Indiana to place a bet. You will have to physically be within the state’s borders when you place your bet, however.
BetRivers and DraftKings will also ask for your social security number. Don’t be alarmed, this is a legitimate request. Not only does it help confirm your identity, but sportsbooks also have tax reporting responsibilities.
Both Indiana online sportsbooks offer desktop websites. DraftKings has an app for both Android and iOS devices. BetRivers has an app for Android devices, although it is not listed in the Google Play Store.
Though the odds on both apps and sites should have a local flair, the framework bringing the betting products to Indianans has an international flavor.
Kambi lands in Indiana as both books launch simultaneously
Rush Street Interactive entered a contract with UK-based Kambi in 2018. Kambi provides the software and tech support for online sportsbooks where Rush Street operates.
DraftKings has a similar deal with Kambi for its sportsbook.
Other operators that don’t contract with Kambi could open later this month or in the coming months.
Those operators include:
- Caesars
- FanDuel
- Fox Bet
- PointsBet
- theScore
So far the Indiana Gaming Commission hasn’t added any of them to the list of operators approved for mobile sports betting apps. That could change at any time, however.
With BetRivers and DraftKings now live, their competitors in the state don’t want to fall behind. Mobile betting is a game-changer, as is the convenience that motivates more people to put some skin in the game.
For now, BetRivers and DraftKings have a monopoly. That situation probably won’t last long, but it’s an important step for sports betting in Indiana.
