Online Gambling in Indiana - Casino & Sports Betting

After residents approved legislation, Indiana authorized sports betting in late 2018. Before Indiana legalized sports betting, many of its citizens would commute to East Chicago to gamble or wager on their favorite teams. Indiana became one of the first states to authorize sports betting in the USA when retail books opened in the state in 2019. Shortly after, online sportsbooks opened, and Indiana has been a popular destination for sports-based wagering ever since. Sports betting in Indiana is a huge industry for the state. So far, more than $5 billion has been wagered in Indiana, and the industry shows no signs of slowing down.

This article is certainly worth a read if you partake in sports bets, or play online casino games. It is important to note that each state may have its own set of gaming rules, which may vary over time so you should check what is legal in your individual state. Continue reading if you want to remain up to date on all things betting-related in Indiana.

Indiana maintains a well-regulated and clearly segmented gambling environment. While physical casinos, sports betting, horse racing, lottery, and charitable games are fully legalized and operational, online casino gaming remains prohibited under current state law. The Indiana Gaming Commission oversees regulation and enforcement for all licensed operators.

Online Casinos

Online casino gaming is currently illegal in Indiana. While several legislative efforts have been proposed—such as in 2021 and 2023—none have passed into law. As a result, no operator is authorized to offer online slots, poker, or casino table games in the state.

• Status: Illegal
• Date of Authorization: N/A
• Law: N/A
• Official Link: N/A
  

Online Sports Betting

Online sports betting was legalized in Indiana through House Enrolled Act 1015. The bill was signed into law on May 8, 2019, and online sportsbooks launched shortly after, starting on October 3, 2019. The law authorizes mobile and in-person wagering on professional and collegiate sports, all under the regulation of the Indiana Gaming Commission.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: May 8, 2019
• Law: House Enrolled Act 1015 (HEA 1015-2019)
• Official Link: https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-4/article-38/
  

Physical Casinos

Casino gambling was first introduced in Indiana through legislation passed in the early 1990s, which authorized riverboat casinos. In 2015, the state permitted the conversion of these venues to land-based operations. Indiana now hosts multiple licensed casinos offering slots, table games, and sportsbook lounges.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: 1993 (riverboats), 2015 (land-based)
• Law: Indiana Code Title 4, Article 33
• Official Link: https://www.in.gov/igc/statutes-and-rules/
  

Horse Racing

Pari-mutuel horse racing has been legal in Indiana since 1989. The Indiana Horse Racing Commission regulates two racetracks, allowing betting on both live and simulcast races. Racinos in the state also combine horse racing and casino gaming under one roof.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: 1989
• Law: Indiana Code Title 4, Article 35
• Official Link: https://www.in.gov/igc/statutes-and-rules/
  

Lottery

The Hoosier Lottery was authorized in 1988 via a constitutional amendment followed by enabling legislation. It operates draw games, instant tickets, and multi-state games like Powerball. Revenues support public pensions, police/fire retirement funds, and education.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: 1988
• Law: Indiana Code Title 4 (Lottery provisions)
• Official Link: https://www.in.gov/igc/statutes-and-rules/
  

Charitable Gaming (Bingo & Raffles)

Charitable gaming in Indiana is regulated under Title 4, Article 32.3. The law permits nonprofit organizations to host bingo nights, raffles, door prizes, and other small-stakes games, provided they obtain licenses from the Indiana Gaming Commission.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: Codified before 2010
• Law: Indiana Code Title 4, Article 32.3
• Official Link: https://www.in.gov/igc/statutes-and-rules/
  

Overall Comment

Indiana has a mature, regulated gambling industry covering almost all major types of gaming, including sports betting and casinos. However, it remains one of the few states where online casino gambling is still prohibited.

Online Casino in Indiana

Betting on state-regulated sportsbooks is the only authorized form of online gambling in Indiana. In Indiana, all other types of internet gambling are not only prohibited but also criminalized. Any type of play on an internet casino or poker site is punishable by law. In both sports betting and daily fantasy sports, Indiana has embraced online betting. This is in addition to the state’s 14 brick-and-mortar casinos, which provide live casino gambling, and the state’s racetracks and off-track betting facilities, which handle sports and pari-mutuel wagering.

Sports Betting in Indiana 

Indiana has a thriving, competitive sports betting sector. In Indiana, sports betting is available in casinos, racetracks, and off-track betting facilities, as well as online and on smartphones. Indiana legalized sports betting in September 2019, just prior to major US sporting events such as the NFL and collegiate football seasons. In the following month, online betting became available. The state was one of the first to pass an online sports betting law in 2019. In Indiana, online sports betting currently accounts for more than eight out of every ten bets placed. Sportsbook providers must work with land-based firms in order to provide Indiana sports betting. Almost all major providers have a presence in the industry, which could make sportsbooks one of the most dynamic markets in the USA. BetRivers and DraftKings were some of the first applications to debut in the state. Shortly after, popular sportsbook apps such as Fanduel, BetMGM, Caesars, Pointsbet, and many more became available in Indiana.  However, the state’s app sector is growing, and more apps are going to be included, so watch this space!

Final Thoughts

The gaming market in Indiana has seen significant growth in comparison to other states with many bettors from neighboring areas flocking to the state. Nevertheless, according to the most recent Indiana betting regulations, online casino games are still restricted. Despite the fact that online betting is growing in the state, there seem to be no prominent advancements in terms of online betting sites. However, we anticipate several sportsbook debuts in 2022, as well as a push for $1 billion in monthly turnover in the state. It is important to remember that regulations are susceptible to change at any time. As a consequence, it is vital to check with your state’s rules to see what you are allowed to wager on in your state.