Online Gambling in Indiana (2023)

The Current State of Gambling in Indiana

For too long, there was stringent opposition against online gambling in Indiana. However, the fall of PASPA and the loosening of sports betting restrictions across the United States brought with it a fresh approach from IN lawmakers. Nowadays, the state is in the process of almost completely changing its overall view of online gambling.

The Hoosier State saw its first-ever online sportsbook take bets in 2019, soon after the legalization of sports betting, and it’s gone from strength to strength since. Some lawmakers have begun pushing for online casinos in the state, which is the next obvious step forward.

Below, you’ll find further information on everything related to online gambling in Indiana.

Whilst there have been moves towards creating a legal environment for online casinos in Indiana, lawmakers are yet to strike a deal. However, that doesn’t mean online casino gaming is impossible to enjoy in IN, as there are other ways in which users may indulge in some of the finest online casino titles. If casino games aren’t to your taste, don’t fret, as Indiana boasts a wide variety of fantastic betting activities such as sports betting.

This section provides all the information on the types of gambling activities currently legal within the state of Indiana.

Sports Betting in Indiana

Officially opening their doors in Indiana in 2019, Indiana’s online sportsbooks started onboarding customers as soon as they possibly could following the legalization of the form of gambling. Through a bill named H 1015, which was signed not long after the fall of PASPA, users were allowed to begin wagering on their favorite sports teams, events, and competitions.

There are plenty of sites available for use in Indiana when it comes to sports betting. Not only that but there are also retail venues open for business, allowing players the freedom to choose whether or not they want to bet from home or in person.

Casino Gambling in Indiana

Currently, online casinos are prohibited in Indiana. Despite the fact that Senator Jon Ford has been an advocate of online casino gaming, we’re yet to hear if his proposed bill will be accepted by his colleagues. Under his proposal, each retail casino would be permitted to apply for an online casino license, with additional taxes and licensing fees applicable to all entities that wish to participate in the online casino gaming industry.

Speaking of land-based retail casinos, there are 14 in operation in Indiana. Interested bettors are free to visit their local venue and play various games from within those four walls. Games such as blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and more are available at each of IN’s in-person casinos.

Poker in Indiana

Along with online casinos, Senator Jon Ford planned to create a legal space for online poker. Although this wasn’t in his original write-up for his proposed bill, he admitted that his mind was changed somewhere along the way. Since the bill hasn’t been passed as of yet, avid poker players from Indiana will need to stick with sweepstakes poker sites, like Global Poker.

In terms of in-person poker rooms, Indiana’s a completely different story. Boasting around 10 poker rooms overall, Indiana’s poker scene has never been healthier. Considering the recent legalization of sports betting, it wouldn’t be particularly surprising if such demand for poker led to the allowance for real-money online poker.

Lottery in Indiana

The state lottery in Indiana is legal, exciting, and interestingly named the Hoosier Lottery. The state has handed out more than $1billion worth of prize money since the lotteries’ inception during the 1980s, and nowadays, it’s easier to access than ever before. As well as offering a state lottery, Indiana permits the use of scratch-off cards. These instant-win games are a neat way of introducing rookies to gambling while also being loads of fun.

The disappointing aspect of Indiana’s state lottery is that they appear to be on the verge of permitting ticket purchases via the downloadable app. As things stand, users can get the app for their iOS or Android device and use it as a means of gathering information on the latest lottery updates in IN. So, it seems only a matter of time before we see the first tickets being purchased over the internet.

Gambling Laws in Indiana

Before beginning your gambling journey in Indiana, it’s vital that you’ve got a solid grasp of all the rules and regulations in place. The reason that knowing and understanding these laws is so important is simple: it’ll help you make better, more informed decisions in the future.

Although IN lawmakers aren’t as harsh towards gambling as a whole compared to other states in the US, they work just as hard to maintain the integrity of the law. Here, you’ll learn everything you’ll need to know about Indiana’s gambling laws.

What Are The Laws?

The very first thing to understand about Indiana’s laws in terms of gambling is what lawmakers define as “gambling” itself. According to state law, gambling refers to risking money or other property for gain, contingent upon lot, chance, or the operation of a gambling device.

As you can see, lawmakers see gambling as a game of chance where bettors may receive rewards for taking part. This is where things get a little bit tricky, as poker, for instance, was ruled a game of skill by a federal judge around ten years ago. Therefore, the logical thing to do would be to add poker to the list of available online games in the state.

But, we’re still a while away from that becoming a reality. For now, betting enthusiasts in IN will have to make do with sweepstakes casinos and sports betting or purchase lottery tickets. To buy a lottery ticket, players must be at least 18 years old, while the same apple to horse racing. Things are a little different for those interested in casino gambling and standard sports betting, as the minimum legal age for that is 21.

When Were These Laws Made?

The Hoosier Lottery was written into law way back in 1989, around a century after originally being outlawed by the state. The following decade was vital for the future of gambling in Indiana, with pari-mutuel betting and off-track wagers permitted over the next few years. At this point, it appeared that gambling would become part of the states’ culture.

Poker was available to be played in a variety of ways within Indiana during its golden years, considered to be the early 2000s. During this time, the form of gambling could be played online, at casinos, and with friends. Unfortunately for those interested in the game, online poker was made illegal after investigations into operators concluded they were operating in a shady manner. Players are still feeling the effects of what was known as “Black Friday” to this day.

Fast forward to 2019, though, and IN made itself the 13th state to permit sports betting. PASPA - the controversial and subsequently deemed unconstitutional law that prohibited sports gambling for many years - fell to its knees towards the end of the 2010s, paving a clear path for states to develop their own laws on the matter.

One final feature of Indiana’s gambling scene that we should note is riverboat casinos were given the opportunity to move their services back to the mainland in 2015. It was another two years before Tropicana became the first casino to take advantage of the new land-based permit.

Who Are The Regulators?

The Indiana Gaming Commission provides oversight on all things related to gambling in the state. The body is responsible for accepting applications from casinos seeking to obtain a betting license and ensuring that each licensee serves its customers in the best possible way. It’s possible to report illegal gambling activity via the IGC’s website and in doing so, users are capable of making betting in IN safer and more accessible for everybody.

As an added layer of security, the Indiana Gaming Commission tests every slot machine, betting site, and gambling service that wishes to get a license. This is to prevent unfair games from being published into the public domain and push for a fairer gambling environment with equal opportunities for anyone that wants to get in on the fun. For more on the IGC and to view earnings reports, users should check out the Indiana Gaming Commission website.

The regulatory body also allows users to add themselves to a self-exclusion program. By adding yourself to the list, players are excluding their identity from being allowed to sign up with any of the legal, licensed casinos in Indiana. This feature will undoubtedly go a long way to helping those suffering from problem gambling.

Legal Operators vs Illegal Operators 

With so many rules and regulations surrounding online gambling in Indiana, it’s no wonder that players have ventured into pastures anew at offshore, illegal sites. While this makes sense from a certain point of view, it’s actually incredibly dangerous. The danger comes from offshore betting sites offering services without a recognized license, meaning they’re not held to the same standard as domestic casinos. On top of that, the games displayed on these offshore sites are untested, unregulated, and potentially unfair.

This is in contrast to legal venues found in Indiana, as well as the sweepstakes casinos sprinkled here and there. Every feature you’ll find at such websites and venues has been rigorously tested to ensure the best quality possible is being presented to customers.

Perhaps most importantly, users are protected when playing at legal sites and retail casinos. As we mentioned, players can report illegal or suspicious behavior to the relevant authorities. In turn, customer support becomes even more important to users and operators alike. They are present to offer insight into an issue, provide a helping hand, or even resolve the problem completely. At offshore sites, the customer support team - if they even have one - is not obligated to serve customers in any meaningful way.

At the end of the day, it’s the user’s choice. We maintain that playing on legal, licensed casino sites and online sportsbooks is the best way to go simply because of the security. Until offshore casinos and betting sites are licensed and/or regulated by US authorities their customers will never be fully protected, leaving personal information at risk.

Indiana’s Gambling Options - Legalities & Operators

Here, we’ll help guide you through all the gambling categories found in Indiana. We will discuss the legalities behind each, where you can find various games and genres, and what the future may hold for the most popular forms of gambling across Indiana. Without waiting around any longer, let’s take a deep dive into the details.

Sports Betting

To place a sports wager in IN bettors must be at least 21 years old. Regulators have been put in place to ensure that no licensed sportsbook onboards anyone underage and, in doing so, minors are protected from potential harm.

As we mentioned, 2019 was a majorly important year for Indiana’s sports betting scene. It was during September of that year when the grand opening of Indiana's first sportsbooks took place, and bets were taken as soon as possible. Revenue from sports wagers has gone towards good causes in the form of tax, while licenses cost $100,000 for operators to obtain. These betting licenses can be renewed yearly, priced at $50,000, so entities interested in getting involved need to cough up if they want to participate in the action. It’s also worth noting that every licensed Indiana sportsbook is required to pay a 9.5% income revenue tax.

Regarding what users are not allowed to place wagers on within IN, there are restrictions on the following:

• eSports betting
• Amateur sporting events
• Sports events involving athletes aged under 18

Other than that, users are more or less permitted to bet on whatever sports action they want. Indiana is a free state in that sense - we just wish the same attitude was applied to online casinos. To take advantage of sports betting, try out DraftKings IN, BetAmerica, and more in Indiana.

Online Casino

Unfortunately, online casino gaming is against the law in Indiana. At the time of writing, pushes for the past-time to become legal have come to a standstill and Senator Jon Ford is yet to have his bill we mentioned earlier accepted.

Rather, anyone interested in online casino gambling can check out Chumba Casino. This is another sweepstakes site so there’s no real money on the table, but the games are just as fun as they are at real-money platforms in other states. 

Speaking of other states, we hope that the success enjoyed in PA with the rollout of online casinos will inspire lawmakers in Indiana to loosen the restriction of online casino gaming. Permitting sports betting was a good start, now it’s time to move again in the right direction.

Poker

Poker players are some of the most skilled people in the world, so it’s a shame that those residing in Indiana aren’t allowed to play online for real money. Global Poker is the only option, and as that’s a sweepstakes site it’s very difficult to earn worthwhile rewards. Regardless, if you just want to play some poker with others without visiting a casino, this is your best bet.

There are plenty of retail poker rooms to visit, though. Despite being prohibited online, there are loads of poker rooms spread throughout Indiana, like Blue Chip Casino and Hollywood Casino. As is the case with most other forms of gambling, players need to be aged 21 and over to participate in these games.

Lottery

The Hoosier Lottery is on the verge of perfection. We get the impression something is in the pipeline with regards to allowing online ticket sales since the operators have released an app for public use, although, for now, Indiana residents can only use it to gather information.

To purchase a lottery ticket, simply head to your local store or retailer that provides lottery tickets and take your ID card. You can also buy scratch-offs if that’s down your alley. Remember, you can only buy a ticket if you’re 18 and over.

Bingo

Unsurprisingly, bingo is illegal in Indiana. Considering the game itself is a game of chance and has the potential to see the victor earn real money, people in Indiana aren’t allowed to indulge in the game unless it’s for a charity and the equipment is purchased properly.

So, while bingo can be played where there’s no money on the line, it’s important to keep in mind that all bingo cards need to be bought from a licensed supplier. As the IN law states, “A qualified organization may not allow players at a bingo event to bring and play their own bingo cards”, it’s pretty clear that you’ll need to fork out cash to play the game.

Horse Racing

Betting on the outcome of horse races is one of the oldest legal forms of gambling in the US, and Indiana is no exception. Although there are only a couple of well-known tracks found in the state - both of which are owned by the same organization, Caesars Entertainment - horse racing wagering is incredibly popular throughout IN.

The tracks, Harrah’s Hoosier Park and Indiana Grand Casino & Racing, host multiple events all year long. Punters often flock to these racetracks to see their favorite jockeys and horses battle it out for the win, winning money along the way.

We can’t mention horse racing in Indiana without talking about the four OTBs in the state. Off-track betting sites are few and far between in Indiana, and namely, they’re placed in Clarksville, Indianapolis, Shelbyville, and New Haven. These are handy sites to visit if you’re a fan of horse racing betting, and with the age limit of just 18, betting on the sport is open to many people in the state.

Legal Online Sportsbooks in Indiana

Thankfully, bettors in Indiana have a wide range of choices when it comes to picking the best online sportsbooks in Indiana. In this section, we’re going to detail each of the currently available sportsbooks found online with information on various features, markets, and more.

DraftKings Sportsbook IN

Originally just a Daily Fantasy Sports operator, DraftKings has slowly but surely branched out operations across the country. Having now set up shop in Indiana, customers appear to be pleased with the platforms’ offering so far.

Boasting a fantastic downloadable app for iOS and Android devices, boosted by personalization options, DraftKings has cemented itself as a go-to sportsbook for many. Essentially, DraftKings uses special software to calculate what they think players will want in the future based on previous wagers. What’s more, the site also has a live betting feature so you can win while out with friends, traveling, or from the comfort of your couch.

Caesars Sportsbook IN

Similar to DraftKings, Caesars is now a stalwart in the online sportsbook industry in Indiana, packed with features, markets, and loads of different ways to personalize your betting experience.

One such option is the cash-out feature. This allows users to take home winnings prior to the event endings, protecting against potential losses. This, in tandem with the live betting service, enhances the betting experience at Caesars ten-fold.

BetMGM Sportsbook IN

As February of 2020 came around, so did murmurs of BetMGM’s arrival in the state of Indiana. As it turned out, these rumors were true, and the betting site has taken on boatloads of customers since its inception in the Hoosier State.

Known for its offers for existing customers and newly registered users, it’s not surprising to see BetMGM rise in prominence so quickly. If anything, we’re more surprised that it hasn’t been able to eliminate some of its competition. Filled to the brim with all kinds of ways to win, BetMGM is arguably the best pick of the lot.

Unibet Sportsbook IN

2020 was an important year for sports betting in Hoosier State. In July of that year, Unibet welcomed new customers from Indiana via its third US-based service. The promise of an in-play betting feature is just one of many intuitive ways that Unibet is pushing the boundaries of sports betting, and as they do it in their own way it feels unique to the site.

Newbies will be rewarded with a neat welcome offer if they want to get off to a great start on the platform while existing customers aren’t left behind. Throughout the course of the year, Unibet updates its promotions page, offering better, more rewarding prizes and gifts for its player base.

FanDuel Sportsbook IN

Primarily focusing on promotions for new and existing customers, FanDuel has discovered its niche. The betting site never fails to provide cashback offers, rewards programs, insurance bets, and much more. As a direct result of these efforts to make betting more enjoyable for customers in Indiana, FanDuel has grown into one of the most-used platforms across the states’ lines.

Advertising new boosts every day, there’s little time to wait around for tomorrow’s odds at FanDuel. They’re consistent with their boosted markets, serving up extra cash for otherwise boring wagers. Competition for customers is rife throughout IN, and that’s partly down to the work carried out by the team at FanDuel.

PointsBet Sportsbook IN

Having arrived on the scene following success in its native Australia, PointsBet is one of the smaller betting sites in IN. However, that’s not to say it’s any less impressive than other platforms we’ve mentioned already. The guys working on the sportsbook have developed their own take on point spreads by adding giant multipliers to bets, leaving customers jaws’ on the floor after a win comes through.

By signing up, users are guaranteeing that they’ll get an opportunity to experience an enthralling welcome offer that can be activated by simply making a wager on the site. Depositing is simple and can be processed through the most popular methods like credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and others.

BetRivers Sportsbook IN

To download the new BetRivers Sportsbook app, simply visit the app store relevant to your mobile device. That might be the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store, but either way, the BetRivers app can be downloaded free of charge. Doing so opens you up to a thrilling world of sports markets with soccer, MMA, NHL, NBA, amongst others all available on the platform.

To get started, put some money into your account wallet using e-check, PayPal, credit and debit cards, or bank transfers. 

WynnBet Sportsbook IN

The Hoosier State is one of the latest to enjoy the services provided by one of America’s finest sportsbooks in the form of WynnBet. One of the most interesting things about WynnBet’s IN website is that, well...it doesn’t have a site! Instead, WynnBet can only be accessed using the mobile app. To download the app, check out your local App Store.

The NBA, NHL, NFL, Premier League, MLB, and others are available from the WynnBet Sportsbook app. Admittedly, the app is limited with regards to the number of sports on show, but the vast array of markets in the sports that are found on the platform more than makes up for what’s missing.

Legal Online Casinos in IN

We spoke earlier about the fact that online casinos are not allowed to offer their services in IN, but sweepstakes casinos can be found in the state. While this news will be disappointing for bettors that want to participate in brilliant online casino games, we expect that more positive news regarding this topic will come through over the next few years. Nevertheless, these are the legal, licensed sweepstakes casinos in Indiana.

Chumba Casino

One of the most popular online sweepstakes casinos to date, Chumba Casino is regarded highly amongst even the most experienced of real-money bettors. To play games on the site, users must exchange what are known as Gold Coins. These coins provide opportunities to try out virtual slot machines and blackjack.

In total, Chumba Casino possesses around 70 games. While this may not seem like quite a lot, it’s important to remember that this isn’t a real-money platform. As a result, some features you’re used to might be missing - but there are still chances to earn fun prizes.

Luckyland Casino

Yet another fun sweepstakes casino, Luckyland’s customers receive Sweeps Coins upon purchasing their special Gold Coin package. To make these Sweeps Coins worthwhile, players exchange them for real-money rewards. So, although it’s not quite a standard casino, there are still opportunities to make it feel real at Luckyland Casino.

If the number of games available doesn’t matter too much to you, then why not give Luckyland Casino a go? The site supplies users with the chance to play 30 slot games, some of which are very popular in the real-money gambling space.

Funzpoints Casino

The main thing to keep in mind at Funzpoints is that of the three sweepstakes casinos, it boasts the highest RTP (Return to Player). RTP is a way of evaluating how often the casino pays out to its users, with an average score of around 95% on most platforms. Funzpoints is just above average when it comes to paying out at little more than 96%.

Of course, there’s no need to put any money into your Funzpoints account wallet unless you really want to. The best option for bettors trying to win real money in Indiana is to take part in the jackpot draw, which is held daily and worth over $300.