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Is it legal to bet in Indiana?
Indiana has a strong sports betting market, and itβs continuing to grow as the industry expands throughout the nation. Indiana was the 13th state to pass legal sports betting in the United States. Governor Eric Holcomb signed the bill into law on May 8, 2019.
The Midwestern United States has developed into a vast sports betting area of United States. Indiana was one of the trendsetters in this region of the country. The Hoosier State was the second jurisdiction in the Midwest to legalize sports wagering.
A significant reason that the Indiana legislature passed sports betting is that they knew wagering was occurring in an unregulated manner. Offshore sportsbooks are betting platforms that accept wagers outside of the United States. These mobile sportsbooks are utilized throughout the nation in areas where sports betting is illegal.
| Sportsbook | Available in Indiana |
| FanDuel | β |
| DraftKings | β |
| Caesars | β |
| FoxBet | β |
| BetRivers | β |
| BetMGM | β |
| PointsBet | β |
| Unibet | β |
Indiana residents can utilize offshore and local books because through their phones. Nevertheless, before the state legalized sports betting in 2019, the offshore industry was prominent in the state.
The legislature understood this fact and worked swiftly to legalize the industry in the state following the removal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). PASPA was passed in 1992 on the federal level, and it banned sports betting throughout the nation.
Indiana Sports Betting β Recent Updates
- February 9, 2024 β LSR projections estimate Indianaβs Super Bowl betting handle could be around $37.3 million.
- February 2, 2024 β Betr has gained market access in Indiana and reportedly plans to launch its sportsbook in the state before the 2024 NFL season.
- January 30, 2024 β Bet365 is now available to eligible bettors in Indiana, bringing the total live sports betting sites in the state to 13.
- January 15, 2024 β The Spectrum Gaming Group releases a study of the potential effects of legalizing online casinos in Indiana, indicating that such a move would not hurt retail casinos in the state.
- January 15, 2024 β Reports indicate that the new Terre Haute casino will open on April 5.
- January 9, 2024 β The WNBAβs Indiana Fever hold the first pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, and fans hope the team will draft University of Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark.
Indiana Approved Sports Betting
A few states, like Nevada, were able to continue accepting sports wagers because they were grandfathered into the bill. However, forty-six states could not enact sports betting until 2018, when the Supreme Court overturned the law.
New Jersey was the impetus in getting PASPA deemed unconstitutional on the federal level. Since PASPA was repealed in 2018, sports betting has swept the United States, and Indiana has been a factor in the conversation.
Indiana legislators went to work right after PASPA was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. There were many debates over sports betting in Indiana throughout the 2019 legislative session. However, lawmakers found a way to get the job done on the final day of the term
On April 25, 2019, after months of debates, the Indiana legislature passed sports betting on the final day of the legislative session. The bill approved sports betting, and it also approved the construction of two new casinos. On May 8, the bill was signed into law by Governor Eric Holcomb.
Gaming Expansion in Indiana
The gaming expansion put Indiana in a class of its own in the Midwest. People in Chicago swarmed to Indiana to wager sports because Illinois was still lagging in terms of sports betting. Sports betting went live in IL in 2020.
Even though the Midwest has evolved for sports betting, Indiana is still a leader in the region of the country. The stateβs framework is very lucrative, and it has not seemed to fail since sports wagering went live in 2019.
After Governor Holcomb signed sports betting into law, the specific rules still had to be established by the Indiana Gaming Commission. The first draft of the rules was set in the summer of 2019.
The public could comment on the regulations through August 1, 2019. They were approved at a panel meeting on August 28. The rules in the state are like other jurisdictions with a significant number of providers.
How to Get a Licence for Indiana Gambling?
To receive a license for Indiana gambling, an operator must pay a $100,000 application fee plus annual renewals. In addition, applicants for sports betting must have $500,00 in cash reserve and partner with a betting provider like DraftKings or FanDuel.
Operators do not have to utilize official league data, which is a rarity in the United States as more states legalize sports betting. Many great sports betting providers like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers, BetMGM, PointsBet, Caesars Sportsbook, and William Hill are available in Indiana.
There are 12 total providers that have been licensed to operate sports betting in Indiana. The mobile sports betting rollout was delayed compared to retail wagering. The first book opened on September 1, 2019.
Governor Holcomb placed the first bet in the state. He took the Colts and Pacers to win their respective leagues and the Indiana Fever to win their game on September 1. Unfortunately, none of these bets were successful.
Before the start of the 2019 NFL season, three retail sportsbooks were operating in the state. Then, one month later, online sports betting went live. BetRivers and DraftKings were the first sites to launch, and FanDuel followed shortly after.
The combination of retail and online sports betting Indiana is expected to generate $12 to $20 million per year moving forward. The tax revenue from Indiana sports betting is deliciated towards the stateβs general fund that supports education, prisons, health care, and state parks.
Five Reasons to Bet on Sports in Indiana
Indiana has dominated the Midwest United States since sports betting launched in 2019. The market is continuing to grow, and there are countless reasons to wager in the state. Here are five reasons that you should get involved in Indiana sports betting.
Great Bonuses
House money is critical for successful betting. When you are not risking your own cash, itβs impossible to lose. The Indiana sports betting market is extensive, and there are numerous providers that dish out generous bonuses.
DraftKings and FanDuel have two of the best bonuses for new users. You will earn risk-free bets or deposit matches up to $1,000. You cannot go wrong playing on any of the sportsbooks available in Indiana.
The best book for long-term rewards is BetRivers. BetRivers Sportsbook offers the iRush Rewards program, which rewards loyal bettors. If you frequently gamble, you could earn technology and vacations.
Offshore sportsbooks also do offer great bonuses. BetUS is famous for it. Bovada gives you a sing-up bonus and injects more money into your account when you deposit using Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency.
Great Reputation
The retail and mobile sportsbooks in Indiana all have great reputations. The market is large, but the Indiana Gaming Commission has done a terrific job, including phenomenal platforms. As a result, you will have trouble finding complaints about Indiana sportsbooks.
It will be tough only to utilize one sportsbook in the state. However, you can play on as many sites as you want in the state. You will likely be a member of multiple books because they all provide a great gambling experience.
Customer Service
An excellent reputation is fostered by a few things. One of the necessary things for a sportsbook to garner a superior reputation is tremendous customer service. If you have a technical issue or question regarding a betting platform, it will be quickly solved with the sportsbooks in Indiana.
The first thing to look for on Indiana gambling sites is the FAQ. The FAQ section of all sportsbooks in the state is generated to answer your issues efficiently. If you would like to speak to a real person, the sites have live chat features and phone numbers.
You can also email, text, and participate in community forums. All information is displayed directly on the sportsbook, making it very accessible.
Competitive Odds
The competitive Indiana sports betting market allows you to shop for lines. Line shopping helps you place a winning wager and find the book that will give you the best odds.
Odds constantly change in the buildup to games. There are some states where there are only a few legal wagering options. This hurts people betting because the sportsbooks do not have to compete for users.
In Indiana, you have the choice to utilize the best sportsbooks in the legal industry. This will increase your payout when you place a winning wager.
BetOnline and MyBookie compete for the best odds in the local market. They also offer dozens of markets, from American major leagues to European soccer, tv shows, politics, and non-marquee sports events. Don’t miss their facebook!
Safety
Indiana sportsbooks have a great reputation because they are safe. Your personal information will be secured on the sportsbook. When you place a bet, your card information will be kept private.
Payouts are quick and efficient on the sites. The combination of safe deposits and withdrawals, mixed with the speed of the transactions, makes the sportsbooks in Indiana phenomenal.
List of Casinos in Indiana
There are several casinos in Indiana. This complete list of Indiana casinos is in addition to the online casinos you can find at the sportsbooks we recommend.
- Ameristar Casino East Chicago
- Bally’s Evansville
- Belterra Casino Resort & Spa
- Blue Chip Casino
- Caesars Southern Indiana
- Four Winds South Bend
- Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
- French Lick Resort Casino
- Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg
- Hoosier Park Anderson
- Horseshoe Hammond
- Horseshoe Indianapolis
- Majestic Star Casino
- Majestic Star II
- Rising Star Casino Resort
Indiana Sports Betting Timeline
2023
ESPN BET Launch and WynnBET Exit
ESPN BET launched in Indiana, marking a key expansion in the state’s sports betting options, while the betting handle saw a 17% increase. Conversely, WynnBET exited the Indiana market, and April’s sports betting handle experienced a noticeable dip. The year also brought challenges with legislative setbacks and an NFL investigation into the betting activities of an Indianapolis Colts player.
2019
Indiana Regulates Sports Betting
May sees the regulation and opening up of sports betting in Indiana both online and retail. As quickly as September, sportsbooks in the state are opening up. By the end of the year, the Hoosier State had licensed four sportsbooks.
2018
Supreme Court Opens up Legal Sports Betting
In the Supreme Court decisionΒ Murphy vs. NCAA, the Supreme Court struck down components of PASPA, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.Β This allowed any state to open up their sports betting markets and begin regulating sportsbooks.
Indiana Sports Betting Resources
Expand your knowledge about legal Indiana sports betting with these essential resources:
- Indiana Gaming Commission: The regulatory authority overseeing sports betting and gaming activities in Indiana.
- Indiana Council on Problem Gambling: Offers support, resources, and assistance for those struggling with gambling-related issues.
- House Bill 1015: The legislation that legalized sports betting in Indiana in 2019.
- Approved Events for IN Sports Wagering: A comprehensive guide to the sporting events permitted for betting in Indiana.
- Indiana General Assembly: The legislative body responsible for drafting and passing gambling-related laws in Indiana.
(iga.in.gov)
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