Indiana sports betting is live for both mobile sports betting and in-person wagering. The first brick-and-mortar sportsbooks opened in Sept. 2019, and the market went online statewide in Oct. 2019.
The Indiana Gaming Commission regulates sports betting in the Hoosier State.
Indiana online sports betting now live in 2020
Sportsbook providers in the state needed to partner with land-based entities in order to offer Indiana sports betting. Nearly every major operator has a path into the market, but only a couple are up and running so far.
Here’s a list of live sportsbook apps and others we’ll expect to see eventually:
| Sportsbook | Launch date |
|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Oct. 3, 2019 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Oct. 26, 2019 |
| BetRivers | Oct. 3, 2019 |
| BetAmerica | Dec. 30, 2019 |
| BetMGM | Feb. 25, 2020 |
| PointsBet | Mar. 6, 2020 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | May 19, 2020 |
| Fox Bet | TBA |
| William Hill | TBA |
The first-mover advantage could be important to both DraftKings and BetRivers. But Indiana is expected to approve more online sportsbooks in short order.
Which Indiana casinos have sportsbooks?
Casinos and off-track betting parlors with legal Indiana sports betting include:
| Casino | Known partners |
|---|---|
| Ameristar Casino Resort | DraftKings Sportsbook |
| Belterra Casino Resort | FanDuel Sportsbook |
| Blue Chip Casino | FanDuel Sportsbook |
| French Lick Resort Casino | Rush Street Interactive |
| Harrah’s Hoosier Park | Caesars Sports |
| Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg | Kambi |
| Horseshoe Hammond Casino | Caesars Sports |
| Horseshoe Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino | Caesars Sports |
| Indiana Grand Racing & Casino | Caesars Sports |
| Majestic Star Casino | USA Sports Gaming |
| Rising Star Casino Resort | BetAmerica |
| Tropicana Evansville Casino | William Hill |
| Winner’s Circle Clarksville | Caesars Sports |
| Winner’s Circle Indianapolis | Caesars Sports |
| Winner’s Circle New Haven | Caesars Sports |
The partnerships involved either an online partner or a company that will be providing technology or sports betting expertise.
Indiana sports betting launch
Indiana sports betting launched days before the start of the 2019 NFL season. That early-September date was only for in-person retail sportsbooks at Indiana casinos, racinos, and off-track betting parlors.
The first Indiana sports betting apps began rolling out on October 3, with BetRivers and DraftKings Sportsbook christening the online market. The former operates under the license of French Lick Resort, while DK relies on Ameristar East Chicago for access to the market.
Online sports betting in Indiana now makes up more than eight out of every 10 bets placed in the state.
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Here’s a brief breakdown of Indiana’s sports betting law:
- Statewide mobile wagering is allowed.
- You can register for sportsbook apps anywhere in the state.
- You must be located in the state and be 21 years of age in order to wager.
- In order to offer sports betting, you must either be an existing land-based gaming facility or partner with one.
- The tax rate is 9.5% of gross gaming revenue.
- There is no wagering on esports or amateur athletes under the age of 18.
- Limits on in-play betting and restrictions on data sources are left to the discretion of the Indiana Gaming Commission.
More about the Indiana sports betting market
The opportunity for Indiana is quite sizable. With a population of more than 6 million people, that potential market alone could create a large and vibrant opportunity.
Handle in the state eventually could range from $3 billion to $6 billion annually, depending on how the market evolves and what surrounding states do as far as legalizing wagering.
The interesting part for Indiana is the surrounding states. In particular, Chicago is very close to the Indiana border. While Illinois has legalized sports betting, it hasn’t yet started. And when it does, online betting will require visiting a casino for a long period of time.
Michigan legalized sports betting at the end of 2019. The state plans to roll out MI sports betting slowly, though, and will not challenge Indiana in 2020.
Even beyond Illinois, the bordering states of Ohio and Kentucky still have not legalized sports betting. If they don’t any time soon, that could be a boon to Indiana coffers.
The market also has a lot of teams that should draw betting and rooting interest around the state, including:
- Indianapolis Colts (NFL)
- Indiana Pacers (NBA)
- Notre Dame college football and basketball
- Indiana college football and basketball
- College football and basketball
- Chicago pro teams
- Cincinnati pro teams
Details about online sports betting in Indiana
For those interested in betting online in Indiana, here’s a rundown of what you need to know:
Downloading and registering for a sportsbook app
The first step to start betting is picking a sportsbook app. Links to download the app can always be found on a sportsbook’s website. (Alternatively, if you don’t want to download an app, the site itself will allow wagering without a download.)
But the most convenient way to bet is via an app. Keep in mind that while you can download and register for an app from anywhere, you just won’t be able to place bets unless you’re in Indiana.
Sportsbook apps for iPhone
Most if not all sportsbooks should eventually have an iOS app for download for iPhones and iPads. You can find these in the App Store; again, a link should be provided on the sportsbook’s website.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, it will walk you through the registration process, which includes giving personal information such as your name, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The process will help to verify that you are who you say you are and that you are of legal age to bet in Indiana.
Sportsbook apps for Android
The process for getting a sportsbook app on an Android device like a Samsung Galaxy is similar. The big difference is the apps do not appear in the Google Play Store. You must download them directly from a sportsbook site. You’ll have to allow your phone to download an app that is not in the store; this is safe to do for regulated sportsbooks in the US and Indiana.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, the process will be the same for registration.
Depositing and withdrawing on Indiana sportsbook apps
The next step to get started after downloading and registering is to fund your account. These options will vary by sportsbook, but you often will encounter these methods (some are not yet available in Indiana)
- Online bank transfer
- PayPal
- PayNearMe
- Credit/debit cards
- Prepaid cards
While credit card might seem like the most convenient method for funding an account, many might encounter issues trying to deposit with that method. Depending on the bank that works with your credit card company, it might or might not facilitate gambling transactions. Other methods are usually more likely to work.
Withdrawal methods are usually the same as depositing.
Placing bets
Once you have money in your sportsbook account, you’ll be able to bet. If you’re familiar with sports betting, it will usually be easy to find what you want to bet on. Apps are organized by sport, and you’ll be able to see which games are upcoming or live now.
Common bet types include betting on the moneyline (who will win), betting a point spread, futures (who will win a division or championship, for example), and proposition bets (will LeBron James score more than 30 points in a game?)
Indiana sportsbooks also feature live in-play betting, where you can bet on a game while it’s going on.
In order to bet, you will have to have location services turned on for your phone. The app will be able to geolocate you to make sure you are in Indiana and not in another state where wagering might be illegal.
Sports you can bet on in Indiana
You can bet on just about any sport you want to in the state, including the major sports like football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer and golf. You can usually bet on any international sporting events that are not common in the US, like cricket or rugby.
The state’s gaming commission actually keeps a running of list of what sportsbooks are allowed to take action on in the state. See the list here.
Indiana sports betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Indiana?
Yes. Sports betting in Indiana started in September 2019, in time for betting on the NFL and college football season. Online betting began in October.
Who oversees sports betting in Indiana?
The Indiana Gaming Commission assumes the primary responsibility for regulating sports betting activity throughout the Hoosier State.
Where can I bet on sports in Indiana?
Sports betting in Indiana takes place inside casinos, racetracks, and off-track betting facilities, as well as via the internet and mobile devices.
Is mobile sports betting be available in Indiana?
Yes. Mobile sports betting is available throughout Indiana as of October 2019.
Who can offer Indiana sports betting?
Licensed casinos in Indiana can apply for a license to operate a sportsbook. They have the option to partner with a sports betting operator to assist in their physical or mobile sportsbooks.
Who can bet on sports in Indiana?
You must be 21 years old. The usual restrictions apply to anyone associated with a professional or collegiate sports team or league.
Can I bet on sports in Indiana if I am from Chicago?
Yes, but you have to travel to Indiana in order to bet. You can download an app and deposit while in Chicago, or wait until you are in Indiana. But once you are within the state’s borders, you may place wagers.