FanDuel Sportsbook received approval to launch online sports betting in Indiana as early as Tuesday from the Indiana Gaming Commission over the weekend.
The company launched retail operations in the state last month through its partnership with Boyd Gaming‘s Blue Chip and Belterra casinos in the state. Mobile growth, however, represents FanDuel’s biggest opportunity in the nascent IN sports betting market.
FanDuel Sportsbook is the early market leader in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, so the mobile app’s launch should raise handle for Indiana sports betting.
This marks the third online sportsbook in the state following launches by BetRivers and DraftKings Sportsbook on Oct. 3.
Indiana had strong September start
Sports betting in Indiana started strongly in September with $35 million in handle and $8.5 million in revenue. All of that revenue came from retail sportsbooks, so the spread of mobile should grow handle significantly in October.
More mobile operators should also mean more business from Chicago locals looking to bet on the Bears with the NFL season in full swing. It already looks like the Windy City had a significant impact on September’s figures. More than 40% of revenue from two casinos within 25 miles from downtown Chicago.
In-person registration is not a requirement to open an account for sports betting in Indiana. Anyone can download the app and get started as soon as FanDuel goes live. That means a short trip across the state line can lead to online betting almost immediately.
FanDuel Sportsbook continuing market expansion
FanDuel’s sports betting app will be live in four states following the launch in Indiana. The company also operates retail sports betting in two additional states.
In New Jersey, FanDuel operates with Meadowlands Racetrack, where it also operates the highest-volume retail sportsbook in the Garden State. FanDuel also operates mobile betting in West Virginia through its partnership with The Greenbrier private club.
Boyd’s state access agreement with FanDuel extends to Pennsylvania with Valley Forge. FanDuel started strong in the Pennsylvania market as well, grabbing the early market lead for mobile in the September revenue report.
FanDuel is also pending a mobile launch with Boyd’s Diamond Jo casinos in Iowa. The company also operates a retail sportsbook in New York at Tioga Downs, an extension of its partnership with owner Jeff Gural at Meadowlands.