Online Sports Gambling In Indiana
- Online Sports Gambling In Indiana
- Online Sports Gambling In Indianapolis
- Online Sports Gambling Indiana
- Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Indiana
- Online Sports Betting Indiana Draftkings
A state with a tradition of riverboat and land-based casinos, Indiana online gambling is coming into its own. The state hosts one of the newest online sports betting markets in the US.
Legal casino gambling started in Indiana in the mid-1990s. As of 2020, the Hoosier State is home to 14 land-based and riverboat casinos. The casinos represent a large part of the state’s economy and industry.
On May 8, 2019, Governor Eric Holcomb legalized both retail and online sports betting with House Bill 1015. The state’s first retail sportsbooks began taking bets in September 2019. Mobile sports betting platforms began to roll out in October 2019.
Nearly all the state’s casinos now offer retail sports betting, with mobile sportsbooks continuing to develop as well.
Indiana Online Gambling At A Glance
Game Type | Indiana Gaming Options |
---|---|
Online casinos | Online casinos are explicitly illegal in Indiana; playing on an illegal/offshore online casino is a criminal act in the state |
Online sports betting | Legalized online sports betting platforms debuted in Indiana in October 2019 |
Online horse race betting | Betting on nationwide horse racing is available on various mobile apps |
Online lottery | Not available in Indiana |
Daily Fantasy Sports | Formally legalized in Indiana in 2016 |
Online poker | Online poker is illegal in Indiana and playing on any online poker site is punishable by law |
Sweepstakes casinos | Chumba Casino and other sweepstakes casinos open to Indiana players; however online gambling outside of state-regulated platforms is punishable by law |
Sweepstakes poker sites | Global Poker open to Indiana players; however due to the criminalization of online casinos and poker in the state players should proceed with caution |
- However, online casinos in Indiana are not yet legal. So, you should keep an eye out for legislation to allow for online casinos in the state. Indiana Online Sports Betting: Events & Betting Markets. When getting into Indiana online sports betting, you will want to keep aware of the big sporting events of the year.
- State gaming officials estimate Indiana has captured more than $1.9 billion since opening for online sports gambling in September 2019 with DraftKings and BetRivers. This spring, BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, and PointsBet went live in the state. Casino Execs Investigation Expanded in Gary, Terre Haute.
Active Indiana Online Sportsbooks BetRivers. No stranger to the sports wagering space, Rush Street Interactive, in partnership with Kambi, has mobile. DraftKings Sportsbook. In 2018, the daily fantasy sports superstar became the first online sportsbook to offer betting. FanDuel Sportsbook.
Mobile Sports Betting Comes To Indiana
The sports betting scene in Indiana is growing rapidly. The passage of HB 1015 in May 2019 legalized both retail and online sports betting in the Hoosier State.
It didn’t take long for sportsbooks to get up and running in Indiana after that. September 2019 saw most of the state’s land-based casinos open retail sportsbooks on property. Online sports betting platforms began to operate the following month.
Like many of the US states with legal online sports betting, the state’s land-based casinos own the mobile sportsbooks. Land-based casinos often operate the sportsbooks in partnership with strategic online operators.
Still in its infancy, online sports betting in the US has proven successful in states which offer mobile betting options. In both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, mobile sports betting accounts for more than 85 percent of overall sports betting revenue.
Mobile wagering apps offer bettors the convenience of depositing, withdrawing, line searching, and researching right from a mobile device or desktop.
Anyone of legal age within the state borders can now wager online. This means online sports betting will almost certainly be a massive revenue boost for the Indiana casino industry.
See our full Guide To Indiana Online Sports Betting.
Industry’s Top Brands Descend On Indiana
Indiana’s emerging online sports betting scene has attracted some of the industry’s top brands.
DraftKings Sportsbook was the first online sports betting platform to launch in Indiana, in partnership with Ameristar Casino. Several other platforms have launched since then, including FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM, BetRivers, PointsBet, Unibet, and theScore Bet.
More mobile sportsbooks are on the way. Other big names like William Hill, 888, FOX Bet, Scientific Games, and Caesars Entertainment all expect to operate in Indiana.
August 2020 revenue numbers show DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook at the top of the Indiana mobile sports betting market.
Indiana Online Gambling: The Run-Down
Indiana Online Casinos
The legal view of online casino gaming in Indiana is unique. Indiana online gambling of any kind (outside of sports betting) is not only illegal but criminalized.
This means playing on offshore online poker sites and casinos within Indiana borders could subject the player to criminal prosecution.
In most other states, the operators of offshore or illegal online casinos bear the legal consequences of prosecution. This makes it unlikely that players on these sites would face legal action from the state or federal government.
In Indiana, however, engaging in any kind of online casino gambling or poker is a felony on the player’s part. This subjects the player to fines or jail time. Players would be wise to avoid any kind of online gambling in Indiana, aside from the state’s regulated mobile sports betting sites.
The legalization of online sports betting, however, does signal a shift in stance toward online gaming in general in Indiana. Perhaps in the future other forms of regulated mobile gambling could be legalized.
Learn more in our comprehensive Guide To Legal Online Casinos In The US.
Indiana Online Sports Betting
Indiana joined the growing number of US states with legalized online sports betting in 2019. State casinos received the green light to launch both retail and mobile sportsbooks when Gov. Eric Holcomb signed House Bill 1015 into law in May 2019.
This legislation opened a new era of online sports betting in Indiana, which has strict laws against other forms of online gambling.
Indiana’s proximity to major cities in surrounding states makes it a prime candidate for a thriving mobile sports betting market. With Chicago, Cincinnati, and Louisville all within just a few miles of state borders, players in those markets can easily make the short trip into Indiana to place mobile sports wagers.
As of August 2020, Indiana’s sports betting industry has brought in more than $160 million in revenue. Most of the revenue comes from online platforms.
Online Horse Race Betting
Indiana has a tradition of horse racing dating back to the late 1980s. The state legalized pari-mutuel betting in 1989. As of 2020, the state hosts two major racetracks and four off-track betting (OTB) venues.
Much like many other US states with legal betting on horse races, online horse race betting has a longer history than any other form of online gambling.
Indiana bettors have access to mobile horse race betting clients like TVG and BetAmerica. Both serve multiple states and allow for betting on races across the country.
See our comprehensive review of Online Horse Betting In The US.
Online Lottery In Indiana
Indiana’s state lottery, the Hoosier Lottery, doesn’t permit online ticket purchases. That could change, however, in the future.
According to a June 2019 article in the Indiana Business Journal, the state lottery is looking into the process of expanding to include online lottery. A Hoosier Lottery mobile app could allow for online purchases of in-state lottery draw and instant win games.
Indiana also participates in multi-state lotteries like Mega Millions and Powerball. An online lottery platform could make Indiana the latest state to allow for purchases to these games online.
Neighboring states like Illinois and Kentucky introduced online lottery options, which boosted lottery revenues in both states.
Indiana Fantasy Sports
Daily Fantasy Sports platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings are available to most US players. Currently, 21 states have legislation in place that makes DFS explicitly legal.
Indiana was the second state to pass DFS laws. This made DFS a legal, regulated form of online gambling. Former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed Senate Bill 339 into law in March 2016.
This bill was particularly important for DFS players in Indiana, due to the state’s stance on other forms of online gambling. Aside from DFS and sports betting, any form of online gambling is a criminal act subject to fines and jail time.
Not surprisingly, DraftKings and FanDuel are the overwhelming leaders in the Indiana DFS market.
Sweepstakes Casinos
Indiana has strict laws in place against online gambling. Any kind of online gambling (outside of state-regulated daily fantasy sports, horse race betting, and sports betting) are subject to penalty by law. Any type of online casinos and poker rooms should be approached with caution in Indiana.
Players in most of the US, including Indiana, can access casinos and poker rooms that operate under the sweepstakes model. These sites include Chumba Casino, the biggest of the sweepstakes casinos, as well as LuckyLand Casino. Sweepstakes sites are the only legal option for Indiana online casinos.
Chumba Casino’s play money games use “Gold Coins.” Players may purchase Gold Coins but they carry no monetary value. When purchasing Gold Coins, players also receive an allotment of “Sweepstakes Cash” aka “Sweeps Coins.”
Players use Sweeps Coins to play in sweepstakes games that are separate from the Gold Coins play money games. Unlike the Gold Coins, players can redeem Sweeps Coins for cash prizes.
The Sweeps Coins games at Chumba Casino operate legally as mini-sweepstakes games. Chumba Casino offers a large selection of casino games, including blackjack, roulette, slots, and video poker.
Indiana players can redeem a mail-in offer to get small amounts of Sweeps Coins for free. This allows access to Chumba Casino as a sweepstakes site. But again any kind of online gambling in Indiana is subject to penalty under law.
Sweepstakes Poker Sites
VGW Malta Limited, the same company that owns Chumba Casino, also operates sweepstakes poker room Global Poker. The largest of the sweepstakes poker sites, Global Poker operates the same way as a sweepstakes casino.
Players may purchase “Gold Coins” for play money games on Global Poker. All Gold Coins come with a corresponding amount of “Sweeps Coins,” which players use in Sweeps Coins poker games. They can be redeemed for cash prizes too.
The Sweeps Coins on Global Poker cannot be purchased directly. Instead, they are allotted to players as a gift. Sweeps Coins generally only come with the purchase of Gold Coins. Players can redeem mail-in offers for a small amount of Sweeps Coins.
As is the case with Chumba Casino, these mail-in offers are the only way Global Poker legally operates in Indiana. Purchasing Gold Coins, or even playing with free, gifted Sweeps Coins could still be illegal under Indiana law, and should be done with caution.
Guide To Online Sports Betting In Indiana
Mobile Devices
The most convenient way to play on Indiana’s legal sports betting sites is on a mobile device. Using geolocation technology, Indiana’s regulated online sportsbooks allow players to bet from anywhere within state borders.
All of Indiana’s currently operating mobile sports betting apps are available for Android and Apple iOS devices. Note that the Android app is not available for online sportsbooks through Google Play. Instead, bettors must download the app directly from an online casino’s official site. This is a restriction that Google Play places on online gambling apps, which Apple does not.
Desktop
Accessing Indiana’s legal online sportsbooks on a desktop computer is as easy as going to the site of choice and placing bets.
Players can easily manage deposits, withdrawals, bonuses, promotions, and actual betting directly on an online casino’s official website.
DraftKings Sportsbook
Indiana players can access DraftKings Sportsbook by downloading the mobile app. It is available for both Android and iOS devices. The app will then allow for bets to be placed if the user is within Indiana borders at the time.
Desktop users can go to DraftKings Sportsbook website. Like the mobile app, players can navigate to the DraftKings Sportsbook Indiana site and set up an account.
FanDuel Sportsbook
The FanDuel Sportsbook app is available as a free download on both Android and iOS devices. Navigate to the Indiana menu after downloading the app to set up an account and play.
The FanDuel Sportsbook Indiana website is the go-to option for desktop users.
BetMGM
Search for the BetMGM Indiana mobile app in the app store for iOS devices. Download the Android app directly from the BetMGM Indiana official site. Register an account, deposit, and play from anywhere in the state from a mobile device.
For desktop users, go to the BetMGM official website, navigate to the Indiana menu, set up an account, and start betting.
BetRivers Indiana
Much like its other Indiana counterparts, the BetRivers mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices. For both devices, players must download the app directly from the BetRivers Indiana official website.
The BetRivers Indiana site also allows for registration, deposit, and play directly through the site on a desktop computer.
PointsBet
Players find the PointsBet sports betting in the app store for iOS devices. For Android users, the app is available on the main PointsBet website by navigating to Indiana from the homepage.
Indiana bettors can also start an account, deposit, and play directly through the PointsBet website.
BetAmerica
The BetAmerica online sportsbook is available to Indiana players. Like the other mobile Indiana sportsbooks, it is available as an app store download for iOS users, or directly from the BetAmerica.com site for Android users.
Desktop players access the sportsbook directly through the official site.
Unibet
Kindred Group’s Unibet sportsbook launched in Indiana on July 31, 2020. It’s partnered with Caesars-owned Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. You can access the sportsbook via iOS app, Android App, or desktop.
theScore Bet
Like other Indiana sportsbooks, theScore Bet offers an Android and iOS app, plus a desktop betting platform. You can access the desktop version by navigation to theScore Bet’s website.
Both the apps and the website allow you to create an account, place bets, and deposit/withdraw.
History Of Online Gambling In Indiana
Indiana is unique when it comes to state laws on online gambling. The launch of state-regulated, legal online sportsbooks introduced a new era of mobile gambling in Indiana.
Any other kind of online gambling within state borders, however, should be approached with extreme caution.
Under Indiana law, any other form of online gambling, outside of state-regulated mobile sportsbook, is illegal. It is not just against the law, but subject to criminal prosecution. This means that playing on offshore casino, poker, or sports betting sites could result in legal ramifications.
This stance differs from most other US states. In most cases, states place the criminality of unregulated gambling sites on the operators of the site, and not the player.
Introduction Of Sports Betting In Indiana
In spite of these strict laws, Indiana joined the ranks of US states to legalize online sports betting in 2019. Governor Eric Holcomb signed legislation in May 2019 to bring legal sports wagering to the Hoosier State.
The process of application, licensing, and launch was rapid for Indiana’s new mobile sportsbooks. Retail sportsbooks began to launch just four months later, in September 2019. Mobile sports betting platforms became available to Indiana bettors the following month.
As of September 2020, Indiana players have eight different mobile sportsbooks to choose from. Sports betting brands such as DraftKings SportsBook, FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM, PointsBet, BetAmerica, BetRivers, Unibet, and theScore Bet all have Indiana platforms up and running. It is estimated there are more to come by the end of 2020.
It’s unknown if Indiana’s new mobile sports betting industry will change the state’s stance on other forms of online gambling. For now, Indiana joins the list of states at the front of the curve in the realm of online sports betting legislation in the US.
Indiana’s Live Gambling Industry
Timeline Of Gambling In Indiana
Indiana introduced the first forms of legalized gambling in 1989. This included the introduction of both pari-mutuel horse race betting and the Hoosier Lottery.
In that same year, pro-gambling lawmakers also went to work on legislation to bring retail casino gambling to Indiana. These efforts went back and forth for years. In July 1993, the state finally passed the Indiana Riverboat Act into law.
The law allowed for riverboat casinos to operate in Indiana. As of 2020, Indiana hosts 14 retail casinos. The language of the Indiana Riverboat Act required Indiana casinos to operate as riverboat properties. In 2015, the state relaxed those laws to allow casinos to move into land-based buildings.
These casinos are home to traditional Las Vegas-style games, like slots, blackjack, video poker, baccarat, and craps. In 2019, Indiana legalized sports betting. Nearly all Indiana casinos added sportsbooks to their retail properties.
Indiana Gambling Facts
FAQ | Answer |
---|---|
Is Lottery legal in Indiana? | Yes; the Hoosier Lottery offers numerous instant win and draw games tickets for purchase throughout Indiana. Indiana also participates in multi-state lotteries like Powerball and MegaMillions. |
Does Indiana have casinos? | Yes; Indiana is home to 14 casinos, most of which operate as riverboat casinos under state law |
Does Indiana have racetracks? | Yes; Indiana is home to two major horse racetracks |
Where else can I gamble in Indiana? | Online sports betting is legal on state-regulated platforms, which can be accessed from anywhere within state borders |
What is the minimum gambling age? | 21 (18 for horse race betting and lottery) |
Who regulates gambling? | The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) |
Indiana’s Live Casinos
According to the language of the Indiana Riverboat Act, most of the state’s casinos began as riverboat properties. The casinos were situated along the rivers and lakes of the state.
When signed into law in July 1993, the Indiana Riverboat Act permitted the construction of five casinos along Lake Michigan, five on the shores of the Ohio River, and one on Patoka Lake. All 11 of those casino sites still operate as of 2020.
Indiana authorized the state’s two horse racetracks, Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs, to add slot machines in 2007. Both currently operate as racinos (combined casino and racetrack venue) in the Indianapolis area.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians opened the Four Winds South Bend as a tribal casino in South Bend in 2007.
Current Indiana Casinos
Casino Name | Location |
---|---|
Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago | East Chicago |
Belterra Casino | Florence |
Blue Chip Casino | Michigan City |
Four Winds South Bend | South Bend |
French Lick Resort Casino | French Lick |
Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg | Lawrenceburg |
Harrah’s Hoosier Park | Anderson |
Caesars Southern Indiana | Elizabeth |
Horseshoe Casino | Hammond |
Indiana Grand Casino | Shelbyville |
Majestic Star | Gary |
Majestic Star II | Gary |
Rising Star Casino Resort | Rising Sun |
Tropicana Evansville | Evansville |
Success Of Indiana Casinos
Since the state introduced casino gambling in the mid-1990s, the Indiana casino industry has grown into a multi-billion-dollar market. In each of the last three years (2017, 2018, and 2019), Indiana’s retail casinos brought in more than $2.2 billion in annual win.
Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, with its proximity to Chicago, is the top revenue producer among Indiana’s casinos. The Horseshoe brought in more than $386 million in total win in 2019.
Indiana Grand Casino brought in more than $285 million in 2019 win, the second-highest total in the state. Caesars Southern Indiana (formerly known as Horseshoe Southern Indiana), Ameristar Casino, and Harrah’s Hoosier Park all topped the $210 million revenue mark in 2019.
Gaming and Leisure Properties and Caesars Entertainment both have a major presence in the Indiana casino industry, with each company owning four casinos in the state.
Hoosier Lottery
Indiana’s state lottery celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2020. The Hoosier Lottery sold its first instant win ticket in 1989. Since then it’s grown into a billion-dollar industry.
The Hoosier Lottery realized record revenues in the fiscal year 2018-2019, bringing in more than $1.34 billion.
The Hoosier Lottery offers daily and weekly draw games. These include in-state drawings like Hoosier Lotto Plus, with jackpots that reach into seven figures. The Hoosier Lottery also offers numerous instant-win and scratch-off games as well as fast-play games.
Indiana is one of 45 states that participate in the two biggest multi-state lotteries, MegaMillions and Powerball. Tickets for these games and all in-state drawings are available at physical locations throughout the state.
Online lottery ticket purchases are not available in Indiana as of 2020. The Hoosier Lottery’s operator, IGT, announced that it’s looking into developing an online lottery in future years.
Interestingly, Indiana’s lottery history dates to the early 1800s. The Indiana constitutional convention of 1851, though, outlawed all lotteries in the state. This ban continued for almost 140 years. In 1988, Indiana’s residents successfully voted for a constitutional amendment to overturn the lottery ban.
Horse Race Betting
A pair of major horse racetracks, both in the Indianapolis area, are at the heart of the state’s horse racing traditions. Harrah’s Hoosier Park and Indiana Grand both began as stand-alone horse race venues. Both properties now operate as racinos, with casino gaming available to patrons.
At least four off-track betting (OTB) locations operate in Indiana as well. Overall, Indiana’s in-state horse race betting platforms generated more than $63 million in handle in 2018.
More On Indiana Gambling
Indiana Gambling FAQ
Yes. Indiana legalized riverboat casino gambling in 1993. Indiana is now home to 14 casinos, most of which still operate as riverboat casinos.
Indiana amended state laws in 2015 to allow riverboat casinos to move ashore. The new land-based casino facilities still need to be located on the original property where the riverboat casino was moored.
The state’s two major horse racetracks added casino gaming in 2007. These two racinos, along with the tribal casino Four Winds South Bend, are the only Indiana casinos not situated along the water.
Players 21 and over can legally play in retail casinos. They can also wager on sports via the state’s legal, regulated sportsbooks. The minimum age for the Hoosier Lottery, horse race betting, and Daily Fantasy Sports is 18.
Minors can enter Indiana casinos but are not allowed to loiter on the casino floor, gamble, or consume alcohol.
Yes, but the only legal form of online gambling in Indiana is betting on state-regulated sportsbooks.
All other forms of online gambling are not only illegal but are criminalized in Indiana. Any kind of play on online casino or poker platforms are subject to penalty by law.
Online Sports Gambling In Indiana
As such, playing on offshore online casino or poker sites should be avoided.
Any gambling winnings derived from a casino, online sportsbook, horse race bet, or the state lottery is subject to the Indiana personal income tax rate of 3.23%. It is the responsibility of the player to report all gambling winnings.
Note that this 3.23% is the state tax rate owed on gambling winnings. The federal tax rate for gambling winnings over $5,000 is 24%.
For more on Indiana gambling tax laws check out this link.
Yes. Indiana legalized both live and online sports betting in May 2019.
Players can wager on mobile sports betting from anywhere within state borders. These online sportsbooks use geolocation technology to determine a user’s location.
Online sports betting on offshore sites, or any site not regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission, is criminalized in Indiana.
Yes. Indiana’s land-based casinos own and operate all state-regulated mobile sports betting platforms in the state. The Indiana Gaming Commission, a government agency, regulates all retail casinos and online sports betting platforms.
Betting on Indiana’s legal mobile sportsbooks comes with the same level of safety as gaming at a legal land-based casino in Indiana.
Players can access numerous methods of deposit and withdrawal options. This includes ACH/eCheck, prepaid debit cards, PayPal, PayNearMe, and credit/debit card.
Some of these methods are more accepted and reliable than others. Use credit cards with caution when depositing. The issuing bank might view the deposit as a cash advance and charge fees accordingly.
The Indiana Gaming Commission. The IGC, a government agency, oversees and regulates Indiana’s legal casino industry.
The IGC regulates all casino gaming conducted at a legal Indiana casino. The agency also regulates all sports betting, at retail sportsbooks or regulated mobile platforms.
Retail casinos. The state’s land-based casinos own and operate all legal online sports betting platforms. This is sometimes in collaboration with technology partners like DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook.
Retail sportsbooks started to operate at casinos across the state in September 2019. Online sports betting apps started to launch in October 2019.
Yes. Indiana’s online sports betting platforms have the same high-level encryption used by major banking and retail shopping institutions.
Indiana gaming sites have a vested interest in protecting customer information. Players can also utilize extra layers of protection, such astwo-step authentication for login.
Indiana online sports betting recently became a reality, ushering in a new era of legal sports betting in the Hoosier State.
Governor Eric Holcomb signed off on Indiana House Bill 1015, which put the legislation in place for Indiana to introduce legal retail and online sports betting.
With a long history of retail casino gaming, Indiana’s foray into legal sports betting represents an expansion of the state’s gambling industry.
Indiana’s first retail sportsbooks went live in September 2019. Online sports betting platforms soon followed in October. With the introduction of those products, Indiana joined the growing number of US states with legalized sports betting.
Indiana’s Legal Online Sportsbooks
Current Indiana sports betting sites include:
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- BetMGM
- BetRivers
- PointsBet
- BetAmerica
- Unibet
- theScore Bet
DraftKings Indiana Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook’s October 2019 launch in Indiana made the platform one of the first to go live in the state. The debut made Indiana the fifth state in which DraftKings Sportsbook operates in the US.
The platform operates as a license partner to Ameristar Casino Resort, and in collaboration with Penn National Gaming. DraftKings Sportsbook owns the distinction of top revenue-earning legal online sportsbook in the state.
FanDuel Indiana Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook are the two top-earning brands in the US legal online sports betting market. That pattern holds in Indiana as well. The FanDuel Sportsbook Indiana platform is second only to DraftKings in revenues in the Hoosier State.
With the Indiana site launching in October 2019, FanDuel Sportsbook added a fourth state to its list of US operations. Blue Chip Casino acts as the retail license partner for FanDuel Sportsbook.
BetMGM Indiana
BetMGM became the fifth mobile sportsbook to launch in Indiana when it debuted in February 2020. The platform is licensed to Belterra Casino.
The BetMGM brand operates on Roar Digital software. This is a collaboration between MGM Resorts and GVC Holdings. BetMGM expanded into a fourth US state when the Indiana platform launched.
New Jersey, Nevada, and West Virginia also host the BetMGM legal online sports betting platform.
BetRivers Indiana
Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers brand expanded into its third state with the October 2019 launch of its Indiana platform. BetRivers Sportsbook was the first legal mobile sports betting site to go live in the Hoosier State.
BetRivers Sportsbook is named after the Rivers Casino brand. The BetRivers Indiana platform, however, operates under the license of French Lick Resort Casino.
PointsBet
With its March 2020 debut, PointBet became the sixth legal mobile sports wagering platform to open for business in Indiana. The Australian-owned company’s Indiana debut was one of several on the list of expected launches in the US for PointsBet in 2020.
Licensed to Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, the platform offers a wealth of traditional betting markets to Indiana bettors. It also offers the unique PointsBet wagering system to state residents. In August 2020, Points Bet and NBC Sports announced a 5-year partnership that could see the Australian company spread its influence further and quicker in the US.
PointsBet is also rolling out some tremendous sportsbook bonus offers, giving new bettors a variety of options for testing out their app in the US. The best of the offers includes up to $1,500 in two risk free bets. Check out our PointsBet review more details.
BetAmerica
Sneaking into the field of legal online sportsbooks just before the end of the year, BetAmerica Sportsbook launched in Indiana in December 2019.
Owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated, the BetAmerica online gaming brand continued its US expansion with the Indiana launch. Rising Star Casino is the retail casino licensing BetAmerica in Indiana.
Unibet Sportsbook
Kindred Group’s Unibet brand joined the Indiana fray on July 31, 2020. The sportsbook operates under the Horseshoe Hammond license. Horseshoe Hammond is a Caesars-owned property.
Unibet’s launch brought the number of online sports betting sites in Indiana to seven.
TheScore Bet
Canadian sports media company Score Media continues to expand into the US legal sports betting market with its brand, titled theScore Bet. The platform went live in Indiana on September 17, 2020.
TheScore combines its analysis and insights with a betting platform in a unique mix of sports and betting content. The company is partnered with Penn National Gaming for an Indiana sports betting license.
Indiana Online Sports Betting Sites
Online Sportsbook | Launch Date | License Partner |
---|---|---|
DraftKings Sportsbook Indiana | October 2019 | Ameristar Casino Resort |
FanDuel Sportsbook Indiana | October 2019 | Blue Chip Casino |
BetRivers Indiana | October 2019 | French Lick Resort Casino |
BetMGM Indiana | February 2020 | Belterra Casino |
BetAmerica | December 2019 | Rising Star Casino |
PointsBet | March 2020 | Hollywood Lawrenceburg |
Unibet | July 2020 | Horseshoe Hammond |
theScore Bet | September 2020 | Penn National Gaming |
Check out our Guide To Online Sports Betting In The US.
Online Sportsbooks Coming Soon To Indiana
BetIndiana
BetIndiana will eventually join the list of legal online sportsbooks available in Indiana. USA Sports Gaming operates the BetIndiana brand. The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) already awarded BetIndiana an online sports betting license.
BetIndiana will eventually operate as a license partner to the planned Hard Rock Casino in Gary, Indiana.
Caesars Sportsbook
Indiana bettors can expect to see an online sportsbook launch under the Caesars Entertainment banner at some point soon. Caesars Southern Indiana opened a retail sportsbook inside the casino in December 2019. If other states are any indication, a Caesars Online Sportsbook is coming soon.
William Hill Sportsbook
Tropicana Casino Evansville teamed up with sports betting industry giant William Hill for its retail sportsbook. A William Hill online sportsbook should launch sometime in the upcoming months. It will be licensed under the Tropicana Evansville property.
SBK Online Sportsbook
SBK Online Sportsbook is coming to Indiana, possibly sometime in 2020. The SBK brand will launch in Indiana as a product of a partnership between Full House Resorts and UK-based sports betting brand Smarkets. The mobile sports betting app will operate under the Rising Star Casino license.
FOX Bet
The Stars Group and FOX Sports are the partners behind the FOX Bet brand. FOX Bet is already live with online sportsbooks and casinos in various US states, and an Indiana platform is likely to go live soon. FOX Bet Indiana could operate a license partner of Penn National Gaming.
Bonuses At Indiana Online Sports Betting Sites
Indiana betting sites offer a variety of sports betting bonus and promo offers, from deposit-match bonuses to risk-free bets. In addition to new player bonus offers, often sports betting sites offer game-specific promotions as well.
Deposit Match Bonuses
Widely offered by online gambling platforms, deposit match bonuses award bonus money that matches a certain percentage of a deposit. Deposit match bonuses are available at various legal online sportsbooks in Indiana.
BetRivers Sportsbook offers a 100% match bonus on first deposits, up to $250. This means that upon an initial deposit of up to $250 on the platform, BetRivers matches with up to $250 in bonus funds.
Deposit match bonuses usually require a certain amount of playthrough, or dollars wagered, to unlock the bonus. At many online gaming sites, the playthrough requirement is 25x or more. For example, a $250 match bonus with a 25x playthrough would require a total of $6,250 wagered ($250*25) to unlock the full bonus.
The BetRivers deposit match bonus is as player-friendly as it gets. It only requires 1x playthrough.
Risk-Free Bet Bonuses
Some sportsbooks offer a risk-free bet upon first deposit. This bonus refunds the first bet a player makes on a site if it results in a loss.
Indiana legal online sportsbooks offering risk-free bet bonuses include BetMGM. The BetMGM offer includes a risk-free bet of up to $500.
For example, if a player signs up at BetMGM, deposits, and makes a $500 bet, BetMGM will refund that $500 if the bet is a loss. The $500 is the max amount for a refund, and the refund matches the amount made on the first bet.
Free No-Deposit Bonuses
Online Sports Gambling In Indianapolis
The easiest way to get money into an account on a legal online sportsbook in Indiana is via free sign-up bonuses.
These bonuses are typically more common at online casinos, but occasionally you can find one at an online sportsbook. The way they work is simple: just sign up and the sportsbook will give you a bonus in your account. Usually, it ranges from $10 to $30, and some sportsbooks require you to play a certain amount before you can claim the bonus.
Sports To Bet On In Indiana
Betting On US Professional Sports In Indiana
Just about every professional sports league in the US is represented in the betting markets at Indiana’s legal online sportsbooks.
Major League Baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA, and NHL, are all on the menu for Indiana bettors. Moneyline and point spread betting is available on virtually the entire schedule in all four major US sports. This includes the regular season, as well as postseason contests.
Indiana Pacers And Indianapolis Colts
Indiana is home to the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. Bettors in the state can wager on both of these teams without restrictions.
Other ways to bet on the four major US leagues include parlays, futures betting, and prop bets. Prop bets on the 2020 NFL Draft reached an all-time high in US markets, with bettors placing wagers on draft order and numerous other aspects of the draft.
Indy 500 And Other Sports
Indiana hosts the annual Indianapolis 500, the biggest IndyCar Series event in the US. The IndyCar Series and NASCAR are both available to Indiana bettors.
Major League Soccer, golf, and tennis are also available for betting at Indiana legal online sportsbooks. Betting markets for UFC, other MMA promotions, and boxing are on the menu as well.
Betting On College Sports In Indiana
Indiana’s state-regulated online sportsbooks offer a variety of college sports betting markets. Some US states restrict betting on in-state college athletics teams and contests. New Jersey, for example, limits betting on in-state collegiate sports. No such restrictions apply in Indiana.
The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) permits betting on numerous college sports. The IGC only restricts certain kinds of live in-game betting on college contests.
Point spread, moneyline, and parlay betting are available to Indiana players for nearly every major contest in college football and college basketball. This includes the College Football Playoff and college football bowl season.
Notre Dame, Purdue, And Indiana University
The NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, aka March Madness, is one of the most popular sports betting events on the calendar. Indiana bettors can wager on all games from the March Madness bracket, including those involving Indiana college programs.
Indiana’s rich tradition of college athletics goes back more than a century. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish college football program is arguably the most recognizable in the US.
Located in South Bend, Indiana, Notre Dame college football is just one of many high-profile college athletics programs in the state.
College basketball teams like the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers perennially contend for postseason play and conference championships. Indiana’s passionate college sports fan base has access to betting markets involving all of the state’s big-name programs.
College hockey, lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, and track and field are all permitted for wagering by the IGC.
Online Sports Gambling Indiana
International Sports Betting In Indiana
While betting on domestic sports offers plenty of opportunities for Indiana players, legal online sportsbooks in the state also offer access to many international sports betting markets.
From major international sports leagues to some of the more obscure sporting events, Indiana bettors can find almost endless ways to wager on contests around the globe.
International Soccer Leagues
The world’s most popular sport, soccer, powers some of the most-watched sports leagues in the world. Top-tier leagues like the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, and Spanish La Liga produce games that are some of the most popular events for wagering in the world.
Indiana bettors have access to all of these leagues at state-regulated online sportsbooks. Extensive options for betting on smaller leagues are available as well.
Other International Sports
Soccer is just one of many ways Indiana bettors can get in on overseas sports action. Major leagues in rugby, cricket, basketball, and baseball all present plenty of contests for wagering.
The world’s biggest cycling event, the Tour de France, is on the menu for Indiana bettors as well. Tennis majors like the French Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon, as well as international golf events, find a place on the board at Indiana’s online sports betting sites.
Niche sports, like darts, table tennis, and a host of others, round out the international betting options available in Indiana.
Is Esports Betting Legal In Indiana?
Video games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, and Starcraft 2 have become “sports leagues” of their own over the past decade. The esports industry is powered by the popularity of these games.
Betting markets surrounding these esports staples have occasionally appeared on the boards of legal sportsbooks in Nevada and New Jersey. In Indiana, however, esports betting is illegal.
While the stance on esports betting is undefined in some US states, Indiana law explicitly dictates that esports betting is prohibited.
What Else Can I Bet On In Indiana?
Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Indiana
The IGC permits betting on many forms of sports in Indiana. The list of sports betting markets allowed at the state’s legal sportsbooks can be found here. The list includes various sports from Aussie Rules Football to table tennis.
Are Indiana’s Online Sportsbooks Available As Mobile Apps?
Most of Indiana’s legal online sports betting platforms are available as mobile apps for both Apple iOS and Android devices. Many of the state’s mobile sportsbooks can also be accessed from a desktop, with no download.
Indiana could host as many as 15 or more online sports betting brands when the industry reaches full maturity. Just about all of Indiana’s legal online sportsbooks will likely be accessible in both mobile app and desktop form.
Indiana Mobile Sports Betting Apps For iOS Devices
DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, BetMGM, and PointsBet are among the platforms offered as downloadable apps for iOS devices.
These apps can be found in the App Store on iOS devices and downloaded for free. While most of these apps can be downloaded from anywhere in the US, bettors must be located within Indiana borders to place bets.
Indiana’s legal sports betting apps use geolocation technology that prevents bettors from playing from outside of the state.
Indiana Mobile Sports Betting Apps For Android Devices
All of the aforementioned legal sports betting platforms, as well as BetRivers Sportsbook, are available as mobile apps for Android devices as well. There’s one extra hurdle, though, when downloading Indiana sports betting apps for Android devices.
Android users must download the apps directly from an online sportsbook’s website. The Google Play Store does not allow for the download of real-money gambling apps.
Using A Desktop To Bet At Indiana’s Online Sportsbooks
Virtually all of Indiana’s state-regulated mobile sportsbooks can be accessed on a desktop computer, with no app download required. Bettors can register for an account, deposit, and place bets directly from the websites of Indiana’s online sportsbooks.
Playing on a desktop doesn’t offer the same portability as a mobile app, but is the quickest and easiest way to get started at one of the state’s regulated sports betting platforms.
What Is Indiana’s Biggest Online Sportsbook?
DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook sit atop the list of top revenue-earning brands in the legal US sports betting industry. Not surprisingly, these brands emerged as the leaders in the Indiana mobile sports betting market soon after the October 2019 launch.
Both platforms offer a wide array of domestic and international sports betting markets for Indiana players. The name recognition of the brands set up both FanDuel and DraftKings as potential market leaders in the emerging US sports betting industry for years to come.
DraftKings Sportsbook In Indiana
DraftKings Sportsbook tops the list as Indiana’s highest-earning mobile sportsbook. Licensed to Ameristar Casino, DraftKings Sportsbook offers an intuitive, modern interface. It is simple to navigate on both mobile devices and on a desktop.
New players can earn up to $1,000 in bonuses after signing up at DraftKings Sportsbook. This total includes a 20% deposit match bonus up to $1000 in bonus money.
FanDuel Sportsbook In Indiana
FanDuel Sportsbook operates under the license of Blue Chip Casino. Launching just a couple of weeks after DraftKings Sportsbook, the platform brings in a significant portion of Indiana’s overall online sports betting revenue.
How Do I Create An Account At An Indiana Online Sportsbook?
Getting started on Indiana’s legal online sports wagering platforms is easy. The registration process takes just a few steps. For example, signing up for a BetRivers Sportsbook account requires the following steps:
- Go to the BetRivers Indiana homepage. From there, Android users can download the BetRivers Sportsbook app. All players can also register and bet on a desktop right from the website. iOS users can get the BetRivers app directly from Apple’s App Store.
- Click “Join Now,” and fill out fields for a screen name, password, and valid email address.
- Upon verification of email, the new account is ready for action. Navigate to the cashier to make a deposit.
- Additional identification and age verification are needed to make a deposit.
- Using geolocation technology, BetRivers Sportsbook will only allow bets to be made from inside Indiana borders.
This example for the BetRivers sportsbook app in Indiana is pretty much the same for other sports betting apps in the state.
Legal Online Sportsbooks Versus Illegal Online Sportsbooks
The number of legal mobile sportsbooks operating in Indiana could reach 15 or more when the industry reaches full maturity in the Hoosier State.
Indiana bettors can enjoy multiple betting platforms. With the ease of betting from anywhere in the state, research and line shopping can be accomplished with ease.
Online Sports Betting Indiana Draftkings
Indiana Sportsbook Regulators
The state’s land-based casinos own all of the Indiana online sports betting platforms. The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC), a government agency, regulates the casino industry in the state and the online sportsbooks. The IGC ensures fairness of games, player safety, and legal operations from the state’s casinos.
Players can place bets at Indiana’s legal online sportsbooks with the safeguards of IGC regulation in place. Betting on a mobile sports wagering site is just as safe as placing a bet at the sportsbook of a land-based casino.
Offshore Gambling Sites And The Consequences
Offshore gambling sites operating in the US are illegal. All legal online sportsbooks in Indiana display the Indiana Gaming Commission seal. Any online gambling site in Indiana not bearing the IGC seal is illegally operating in Indiana.
The legal consequences of playing on an illegal gambling site in Indiana are particularly foreboding. Indiana law explicitly outlaws online gambling at grey market or offshore sites, subjecting players on those sites to possible criminal prosecution.
Indiana Online Sports Betting FAQ
The legal minimum age for casino gambling in Indiana is 21. This age applies to any form of gambling inside a land-based casino, as well as betting on a legal online sportsbook.
To deposit and withdraw from a legal mobile sports betting site, players must provide identification showing that they’re at least 21.
Yes. DraftKings Sportsbook launched in Indiana in October 2019. This made Indiana the fifth state in which DraftKings Sportsbook went live. The platform is licensed to Ameristar Casino.
The DraftKings Sportsbook homepage displays a map of all states in which the platform legally operates. The site can be accessed by Indiana player via iOS app, Android app, or directly through a desktop computer.
Yes. FanDuel Sportsbook is licensed under the Blue Chip Casino internet gaming license. The platform went live in October 2019 in Indiana.
FanDuel Sportsbook operates legally in several US states. To bet on the Indiana version of the platform, players must be located within Indiana borders. FanDuel Sportsbook is available as a mobile app, as well as on a desktop.
No. Indiana’s casinos generally don’t offer credit for play on the state’s legal online sportsbooks. Apart from free, no-deposit bonuses, the only way to bet is by depositing funds at a mobile sports betting site.
However, you can earn bonus money from special offers such as deposit match bonuses and risk-free bet promotions.
Yes. Betting on college sports is legal in Indiana. Unlike a few other US states, Indiana allows college sports betting with no restrictions on in-state teams and contests.
As such, Indiana bettors have full access to betting markets that include games involving Notre Dame, Indiana University, and Purdue. In-state contests between non-Indiana teams are also open for wagering.
No. New players can register for an account on a legal online sportsbook from anywhere within Indiana’s borders. Players must be able to provide proof of identity and age to deposit and withdraw from their accounts.
It is possible to open an online sportsbook account by visiting the casino cage of the retail property that operates a given online sportsbook.