Indiana Sports Betting

Indiana Legal Sports Betting Overview

Indiana Sports Betting Summary

Sports betting was legalized in Indiana following a big push through the House and Senate from lawmakers like Representative Jerry Torr. In May 2019, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed HB 1015 into law, paving the way for the state’s first retail sportsbook to launch in September of that year. On September 1, 2019, Gov. Holcomb placed the first wager at the Indiana Grand Casino, betting on his two favorite teams: the Indiana Colts and Indiana Pacers.

A month later, in October 2019, BetRivers was the first online sportsbook to launch in Indiana. As of July 2022, 14 online sportsbooks operate in the Hoosier State, including some leading US bookmakers like DraftKings and Caesars. There is also a selection of smaller sportsbooks with plenty to offer. Read our comprehensive guide on sports betting in Indiana to find the best sportsbooks, bonuses, and legal status of betting in the state.

Indiana Online Sportsbooks Compared

Indiana sports betting fans can enjoy many of the country’s best sportsbooks, each offering different strengths. To help you find the sportsbook that’s best for you, we’ve compared some of the state’s leading operators in key areas:

• Best Mobile App – DraftKings

Most Indiana sports betting sites offer native mobile apps, but our betting experts, and app store users, ranked DraftKings’ sportsbook app as the best. You can use the app on Apple and Android devices, and it has a simple display that makes navigation easy. There is a wide selection of boosted odds and promotions that you can redeem conveniently on the app. You can also use the DraftKings app to join betting pools.

Claim your DraftKings Sportsbook Promo code for Sep 2024.

• Best Welcome Bonus – PointsBet

The PointsBet welcome bonus is the best available in IN, offering a whopping $2,000 in free bets. The $2,000 bonus is split, with $500 for fixed odds betting and $1,500 on PointsBet’s unique points betting feature. If either bet loses, you get your money back as free betting money. Many welcome bonuses have wagering requirements, requiring you to bet your bonus funds several times to withdraw them as cash. However, PointsBet’s welcome bonus has no wagering requirements, so anything you win is yours to keep.

• Best for Competitive Odds – Caesars

Caesars Sportsbook is well known for its generous sports betting lines, with better odds on both sides of moneylines. Caesars is particularly popular for its competitive betting odds on player props and NHL bets. The sportsbook also provides daily odds boosts on major league sports and European soccer.

Get your Caesars Sportsbook promo code for Sep 2024.

• Best for Market Coverage – BetMGM

For the most extensive market coverage of Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) approved sports, head to BetMGM. The sportsbook officially partners with the MLB, NBA, and NHL, and you can place a range of bets on all these popular leagues. The sportsbook also covers less popular sports and any Olympic events that the IGC approves.

Claim your BetMGM Sportsbook promo code for Sep 2024.

• Best for Beginner Bettors – FanDuel

Both FanDuel’s mobile app and desktop website are straightforward and easy to use. Everything from registration to withdrawing your winnings is clear and simple. The betting site also makes it straightforward to contact support and manage your account settings.

Get your FanDuel Sportsbook promo code for Sep 2024.

• Best for Payout Speed – BetRivers

If you want to cash out your hard-earned winnings quickly, sign up for BetRivers, as the sportsbook pays out instantly for bettors using Play+ and PayPal. Some payments may take longer if further security checks are required, but most are much faster than transactions at other sportsbooks.

Claim your BetRivers Sportsbook promo code for Sep 2024.

How Does Indiana Compare to Other States?

• Market Coverage

The Indiana Gaming Commission decides which sports bettors can wager on in Indiana and allows a wide range of sports compared to other states. College sports betting is legal, including betting on in-state teams, but prop bets are not allowed. This is to protect young non-professional athletes from pressure and lower the risk of match-fixing. eSports betting is also illegal in the state.

• Competitive Odds & Prices

We didn’t find any difference between the odds offered in Indiana compared to the other US states. Some of the biggest brands are available in the Hoosier State and many other states. These sites don’t tend to change odds between jurisdictions, meaning Indianians get the same odds as everyone else.

• Gambling Revenue

Indiana has the fourth-largest betting handle in US history at over $7 billion. So, it’s no surprise its sportsbook revenue since the launch of sports betting is a huge $570,854,900. Its overall hold has been 7.7%, which is pretty in line with the average across the US. Indiana sportsbook tax is 9.5%, which has produced $54,231,218 in taxes.

• Betting Taxes

According to the Internal Revenue Code, every sportsbook operator pays a 0.25% excise tax on sports betting handles. In addition, there is a $50 tax on every employee that receives bets for sportsbooks.

Indiana betting operators pay 9.5% of betting revenue in tax to the state government. That’s a pretty low amount, which explains why so many sportsbooks are available in the state. Some states have lower betting taxes, such as Iowa (6.75%) and Nevada (6.75%). However, Indiana sportsbooks pay far less than jurisdictions like Pennsylvania (34%), Delaware (50%), and New Hampshire (50%).

All gambling winnings are taxable, and you must declare your sportsbook profits to the IRS. You may need to complete W-2G if you win over $600. Sportsbooks can also hold a percentage of your winnings for tax purposes, which you can claim back through the IRS. You must pay tax to both the IRS and the state of Indiana. The tax rate in Indiana is 3.23%.

How to Place a Bet in Indiana

Indiana joined the list of legal betting states in September 2019. However, wagering is still new to many sports fans. We recommend sites with easy registration processes to make your experience as smooth as possible. Follow our step-by-step guide below, and you can place your first bets in minutes:

1. 14 sportsbooks are available to IN bettors, so shop around to find the best Indiana sportsbook for you.

2. Most sportsbooks have an app available for download on Apple and Android devices. You can also download the app from the sportsbook’s site.

3. Provide your full name, date of birth, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to register an account. Sportsbook apps require you to enable geolocation services to ensure you are in Indiana.

4. Go to the cashier section and make a deposit by following the operator’s instructions. Most sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses that require deposits, so you can also redeem your rewards.

5. Choose a market to bet your bonus funds on. Add it to your bet slip, stake your money, and place the wager.

6. If you win any money from your first bet, return to the cashier section for withdrawal instructions.

Who is Not Eligible to Bet in IN?

You must be at least 21 to legally place wagers at any online or retail Indiana sportsbooks on sports approved by the IGC. You also need to be within the state’s borders. Some individuals are not eligible to bet in Indiana, including:

• College and professional athletes and sports team members.

• Individuals holding key positions within sports league organizations that establish rules and regulations (e.g., NFL, NBA)

• Sports team staff, including coaches, referees, or directors.

• Owners of professional sports teams.

• Individuals restricted from betting at a state or federal level (e.g., due to criminal history).

• Individuals that have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling activities.

Latest Indiana Sports Betting Updates

Timeline for Sports Betting in Indiana

• April 14, 2022: Gov. Holcomb appoints Milt Thompson as the new chairman of the IGC. Thompson will serve as chairman until at least September 30, 2023.

• March 10, 2022: SBK Sportsbook enters the Indiana sports betting market in time for March Madness.

• February 11, 2022: A report from the IGC shows Indiana sportsbooks hit a record betting handle in January, taking more than $500 million in sports wagers and passing a half a billion handle for the first time.

• December 2021: WynnBet, Barstool Sportsbook, Betway Sportsbook, and Bally Bet launch in the Hoosier State.

• December 2020: Five more Indiana sportsbook apps enter the market by the end of 2020, including BetMGM, PointsBet, Caesars Sportsbook, Unibet Sportsbook, and theScore Bet.

• March 16, 2020: The Indiana Gaming Commission orders the state’s casinos and retail sportsbooks to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indiana sportsbook apps continued to operate, but the suspension of many sporting events severely limited the wagering options.

• October 3, 2019: The first two online sportsbooks launch, DraftKings and BetRivers. BetRivers takes the first legal online wager. FanDuel Sportsbook followed shortly afterward, launching on October 22.

• September 1, 2019: The Indiana sports betting industry launches as Gov. Holcomb makes the first wager at the Indiana Grand Casino. He bet on the Colts and the Pacers to win both respective championships that season.

• May 8, 2019: Gov. Holcomb signs HB 1015 into law, making both online and retail sports betting legal. The Hoosier State becomes the 13th US state to legalize sports betting.

• April 24, 2019: A compromise on HB 1015, including mobile betting, passes in the House at 59-36 and in the Senate at 37-12.

• March 27, 2019: SB 552 strips mobile betting out of the legislation. This leads to conflict between lawmakers.

• January 3, 2019: Rep. Torr introduces HB 1015 to the House. The bill passed with a 76-8 vote.

• May 2018: The US Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). States can start to legalize online sports betting.

Indiana Sports Betting Background

The legal gambling industry in Indiana first started in 1988 with the establishment of the Hoosier Lottery. Several years later, in September 1994, the Hoosier Park Horse Track opened, overseen by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, with off-track betting facilities opening in 1995.

The Indiana Riverboat Gaming Act was also passed on July 1, 1993, allowing ten riverboat casinos to enter the market. In 2007, new Indiana gambling regulation permitted racinos to open, and 2,000 slot machines were brought to the state’s two racetracks. These legislative changes paved the way for the 2019 Indiana sportsbook launch.

Future of Indiana Sports Betting

Indiana is looking to add more operators to its portfolio, with FOX Bet, MaximBet, Hard Rock Sportsbook, and Tipico Sportsbook all receiving licenses from the IGC to enter the market soon. There are 12 casinos in the state, each with three online sports betting skins according to IGC regulations. Plenty more operators could launch in the state using these skins.

Indiana Sports Betting Locations

Every online sportsbook needs a casino partner to launch in Indiana, and many of these partnerships have led to retail sportsbooks. Across the 12 casinos in the state, there are many retail sportsbooks to enjoy.

Horseshoe Casino, Hammond

• Address: 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond, IN 46320

• Website: https://www.caesars.com/horseshoe/

• Phone Number: (866) 711-7463

• Operator: Caesars

Hammond Horseshoe Casino was one of the first in-person Indiana sportsbooks to take live wagers, opening on September 4, 2019. It currently has partnerships with Caesars and Unibet. There is a retail Caesars sportsbook, which covers 5,300 square feet. This includes multiple betting kiosks, a racebook, and a video wall with 16 flat-screen TVs.

Blue Chip Casino

• Address: 777 Blue Chip Drive, Michigan City, In 46360

• Website: https://www.bluechipcasino.com/

• Phone Number: (219) 879-7711

• Operator: FanDuel

Blue Chip Casino’s sportsbook is operated by FanDuel and opens from 10am-11pm daily. You can enjoy its 2,730 square foot sports betting space featuring five betting windows, ten self-service kiosks, and 22 TV screens streaming all the latest sporting action.

Belterra Casino Resort

• Address: 777 Belterra Drive, Florence, In 47020

• Website: https://www.belterracasino.com/

• Phone Number: (812) 427-7777

• Operator: FanDuel

The Belterra Casino Resort launched its retail FanDuel sportsbook on September 9, 2019. There are four self-service booths, 12 high-quality TV screens, and a large video wall with a sports ticker.

Other Indiana Land-Based Casinos

Indiana Lottery Locations

The state Lottery in Indiana is called the Hoosier Lottery and is operated by the State Lottery Commission. There are no partnerships between the lottery and sportsbooks, meaning you can’t place sports bets at lottery retailers.

Off-Track & Stadium Betting Locations

There is no stadium betting in Indiana. Still, you can place off-track bets at three OTB locations licensed by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. The Winner’s Circle brand, which operates all these locations, is operated by Caesars Entertainment. Indiana legalized pari-mutuel betting in 1993, and horse racing started in 1994.

Teams to Bet on in Indiana

• Pro Sports

Indianapolis Colts: The NFL’s Indianapolis Colts have won two Super Bowls in 1970 and 2006, while picking up seven Conference championships. The days of stability with Hall of Famer Peyton Manning are long gone, and the Colts have had four different QBs starting the first day of the season from 2018-2021.

Indiana Pacers: The Indiana Pacers are the state’s major league basketball team with little success since the American Basketball Assocation (ABA) merged with the NBA. The team won three titles in four years in the ABA, from 1970 to 1973. Since then, the team has won one Conference championship in 2000. That team featured future Hall of Famers Reggie Miller and Chris Mullin.

• College Sports

Ball State Cardinals: Often the underdog, the history of Ball State University’s Cardinals features many feel-good stories like the unlikely win in the first round of the 2009 NCAA women’s basketball tournament.

Buster Bulldogs: The Bulldogs of Union University have an intense rivalry with the Valparaiso Beacons and play a football game for the Hoosier Helmet Trophy every year.

Evansville Purple Aces: The history of Purple Aces’ basketball is both proud and tragic, with the school losing its whole team in a plane crash in 1977. The basketball team has represented the University of Evansville five times in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

Indiana Hoosiers: The Hoosier’s famous basketball program has won five national championships, tied with Duke for the fourth-most in the country. Indiana University Bloomington’s 1976 squad was the last undefeated NCAA basketball champion.

Indiana State Sycamores: The Sycamores haven’t seen much national success but were led to an NCAA national championship victory for gymnastics in 1977 by Kurt Thomas. Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Famer Thomas represented the US in gymnastics at the 1976 Olympics.

IUPUI Jaguars: Success hasn’t been easy for the Jaguars, but Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is still represented in sports like basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and softball.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish: The University of Notre Dame is one of the most successful sports colleges in the US, being one of only 16 that plays Division I FBS football and Division I men’s ice hockey. The Fighting Irish have 11 football championships, two men’s basketball championships, two women’s basketball championships, and won numerous conference honors in ice hockey.

Purdue Boilermakers: The Boilermakers have picked up three national championships over the years, two of these coming in golf. Purdue University has also won a women’s basketball championship. In October 2019, the school became the first public university in the US to ban wagering on the Boilermakers by anyone employed by or studying at the university.

Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons: The Mastodons have 16 varsity teams playing in the Horizon League. Purdue University Fort Wayne’s men’s volleyball team competes in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.

Valparaiso Beacons: In 2019, the Beacons dropped its men’s soccer and tennis teams. However, Valparaiso University still competes in football, basketball, and golf.

• Women’s Sports

Indiana Fever: The Fever play basketball in the WNBA, the highest level of women’s basketball in the US. The team won its only championship in 2012, beating the Minnesota Lynx in the final.

FC Indiana: Playing in the United Women’s Soccer League, FC Indiana features teams from across the US and Canada. While the United States Soccer Federation does not recognize the league, it is still semi-professional.

Indiana Responsible Gambling Resources

• Indiana Council on Problem Gambling – Provides self-tests, resources on prevention and treatment, and links to further assistance. There is also a helpline and live chat. (800) 994-8448

• Life Recovery Center – Certified by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Mental Health & Addiction, the organization provides a helpline and therapy groups for those struggling. (317) 887-3290

• Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program – Offers online and in-person training on awareness of problem gambling. (800) 994-8448

Every Indiana sportsbook must provide responsible gambling support, including account tools and information on problem gambling. Each betting site will also guide players to the Indiana self-exclusion program, which applies across all betting sites. Sportsbooks are also required to offer external help links to problem gambling support organizations.

Who Oversees Sports Betting in Indiana?

The Indiana sports betting industry is overseen by the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) but is split into many departments. The Paid Fantasy Sports Division was established in 2016 as a part of the Senate Enrolled Act 339-2016 which brought Daily Fantasy Sports to Indiana. The Sports Wagering Division was established by House Enrolled Act 1015-2019, and licenses sportsbooks. The Indiana Governor selects seven members across staggered three-year terms to lead the Commission. One must be a public accountant, one must be experienced in law enforcement, and one must be an attorney.