Sports Betting in Indiana

Indiana sports betting is officially legal in the Hoosier State, thanks to legislation signed at the last hour. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed legal sports betting into law on May 8, 2019.

Indiana online sports betting kicked off with a bang in Oct. 2019. However, there are still Indiana online sportsbooks waiting to launch.

PlayingLegal’s extensive Indiana sports betting guide is your resource to all online sportsbooks in the Hoosier State. Our sports betting experts break down all the finer points such as the best IN sports betting apps and the most lucrative welcome bonus offers for new IN sports bettors.

Best Indiana Sports Betting Sites

Below, our top list of best Indiana online sports betting sites only lists legal and licensed operators. Moreover, the PlayingLegal team of experts grades each available IN online sportsbook with an unbiased eye, searching for the best welcome bonus offers along with other features such as a smooth betting interface and payment options. Only the best makes the cut, so not every operator is listed below.

BetMGM Sportsbook

$1000 First Bet Offer Terms:
  • Must clear in 7 days
  • Available for BetMGM Sports only
  • Bet must be qualifying
  • Bet must lose
More details +
$1,000
An All-Rounded Exceptional Sportsbook
The BetMGM Sportsbook has the capacity to deliver an all-around mobile betting experience. The app is clean, the new customer offer is amazing, and the supporting betting features are downright blissful. Truly, the only flaw is the delayed customer support response.
Bonus Offer
9.5
Odds Variety
9
Interface
9.5
Payment Options
9.5
Customer Support
8
PROS:
  • Free Live Streaming
  • Crisp in-play betting
  • Boosted parlays
  • Easy Navigation
CONS:
  • Shortage of special market odds
  • Slow customer support response

Overall, the BetMGM Sportsbook offers the best well-rounded sports betting experience. Easily put together parlays while taking advantage of enhanced betting odds and boosts. Finally, BetMGM competitively offers one of the best welcome bonuses.

William Hill Sportsbook

Best value
$500 Bonus Terms: 
  • No rollover required
  • Qualifying first bet must lose
  • Free bet must be used within 7 days
  • Valid for new customer accounts only
More details +
$500
Welcome Bonus
PLAYINGLEGALRF
Traditional and Excellent Sportsbook
William Hill clearly excels in certain areas. However, some basics are missing, like cash out and loyalty rewards. On the other hand, they are one of the most prominent bookmakers with live streaming. Their bonus terms are short, yet extremely favorable.
Bonus Offer
10
Odds Variety
8.5
Interface
9
Payment Options
9
Customer Support
9
PROS:
  • Live Streaming
  • Transparent terms of use
  • Generous welcome bonus
  • Responsive customer support
  • Complete odds offer
CONS:
  • Cash Out not available yet
  • The user interface could be improved

With over 90 years of experience, William Hill Sportsbook brings a strong brand presence to Indiana. IN sports bettors enjoy the solid betting platform and all the traditional bells and whistles of this sportsbook. Finally, William Hill offers one of the most lucrative welcome bonuses available to IN bettors.

Unibet Sportsbook

$1000 First Bet Offer Terms:
  • Must clear in 7 days
  • Available for BetMGM Sports only
  • Bet must be qualifying
  • Bet must lose
More details +
Reliable from Start to Finish
Truly, Unibet Sportsbook is worthy of trying out. Firstly, this online betting site offers up an amazing no-deposit bonus by awarding Bonus Bets. Also, there’s exciting ongoing betting promotions, cash out and in-play betting. Props really appear to be Unibet’s strong suit. However, you will need to overlook the rather plain betting interface of Unibet and customer support can be hit-or-miss.
Bonus Offer
8.5
Odds
9
Interface
6.5
Payment Options
9
Customer Support
7
PROS:
  • No deposit bonus
  • Incredible selection of lines and bet types
  • Variety of in-play props and live betting options
  • Excellent ongoing promotions
CONS:
  • Simple interface
  • Rewards program by invite only
  • Customer support is hit-or-miss

Definitely, a big highlight to the Unibet Sportsbook is the enticing offer of a no-deposit bonus bet offer. The betting interface of Unibet is clean, almost simple. Overall, Unibet offers a highly functional sports betting experience.

TwinSpires Sportsbook

$1000 Welcome bonus:
  • Use promo code FREE1000
  • New accounts only
  • First bet must lose
  • Valid in MI, CO, IN, PA and TN
More details +
$1,000
Sports Betting Made Easy
The beauty of the TwinSpires Sportsbook lies in the simplicity of the betting interface. Without a doubt, the well-designed interface lends to the intuitive ease of use by finding the sport and markets desired for both pre-game and live in-play betting. The customer service quality is bar none, and when coupled with the unique welcome bonus, these are reasons enough to recommend the TwinSpires Sportsbook. Finally, the TwinSpires sports betting site offers competitive odds compared to its competitors.
Bonus Offer
9
Odds Variety
7
Interface
9
Payment Options
9
Customer Support
10
PROS:
  • Great range of ongoing promotions
  • Generous welcome bonus offer
  • Competitive depth of sports and markets
  • Excellent customer service
  • Outstanding mobile apps
CONS:
  • No VIP or loyalty rewards program
  • No live streaming

With a wide selection of betting lines, the TwinSpires Sportsbook certainly rates highly. Moreover, the parent company of BetAmerica is Churchill Downs, the racetrack of the prestigious Kentucky Derby. Although first rooted in horse racing, the TwinSpires Sportsbook expands to one of the best Indiana sportsbooks now available.

DraftKings Sportsbook

Bet $5, Get $150 Instantly + A No Sweat SGP Every Day
  • Valid 1 per new customer.
  • Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet.
  • $150 issued in bonus bets.
  • Opt in req. 1 No Sweat token issued per day.
  • SGP/SGPx bets only. 3+ legs req.
  • Max. wagering limits apply.
  • Must use funds from cash balance. Must select token BEFORE placing bet.
  • Bet must lose after applying Token. Paid as one Bonus Bet based on amount of losing bet.
  • Tokens expire at start of the last game each day when offered.
  • No Sweat cannot be used to redeem Bet $5 Get $150 offer.
  • Rewarded bonus bets expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded.
  • Bonus bets must be wagered 1x and stake is not included in winnings.
More details +
Average, Improvement is Needed
Overall, DraftKings carries brand recognition. Beyond that, while the bonus offer looks generous, there is a higher wagering requirement than other online sportsbooks. Also, the mobile app needs work due to stability issues, such as freezing and crashing. Finally, customer service is notoriously slow to respond. Therefore, I highly recommend line shopping and not committing to one specific sportsbook.
Bonus Offer
7
Odds Variety
9
Interface
7.5
Payment Options
7.5
Customer Support
6
PROS:
  • A reputable and historic brand
  • Live Streaming
  • In-play betting
  • Cashouts
CONS:
  • Slow customer support
  • Mobile app stability issues
  • High wagering requirements for the bonus

The DraftKings Sportsbook originally made a name in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). Now, customers can take advantage of the numerous live betting lines along with ongoing betting promotions. Notably, make sure to read the terms and conditions of the welcome bonus offer as many customers find the terms to be confusing.

IN Sports Betting Law

Officially, Indiana now offers legal sports betting thanks to the IN sports betting law, H 1015. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed H 1015 into law on May 8, 2019. In detail, licensed casinos can open sportsbooks and offer online sports betting.

Here are the main takeaway to the Indiana sports betting law:

  • The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) oversees sports betting operators within the Hoosier State.
  • Online and mobile sports betting is available.
  • Each retail licensee is allowed three skins or online betting partners.
  • First-time sports betting licenses cost $100,000 with a $50,000 annual renewal fee.
  • The sports betting tax is 9.5% from adjusted gross revenues.

Sports Available

Most importantly, the IGC is permissive regarding what types of sports you can bet on within the Hoosier State. In fact, the IGC keeps an updated list of what approved sports leagues and events that Indiana sportsbooks can offer.

Available Sports to Bet on in Indiana
Aussie RulesAuto RacingBaseball
BasketballBowlingBoxing
Bull RidingCompetitive EatingCricket
CyclingDartsFootball
GolfHandballHockey
LacrosseUFC/MMAOlympics
Academy AwardsRowingRugby
SailingWinter SportsSoccer
SoftballTable TennisTennis
Track and Field

Restrictions

Overall, Indiana sports betting truly has few restrictions. Outside of the normal minimum legal age and location requirements, few restrictions exist in the Hoosier State. For example, the IGC has even approved events such as prop betting on the Academy Awards. Below, here is an albeit small list of restrictions to Indiana sports betting:

  • No wagering on high school sports
  • Prop betting on college
  • No eSports betting

Data Integrity Fee

The term data integrity fee refers to requiring sportsbooks to purchase official league data. In other words, think about this fee as a payment to professional sports leagues. Data integrity fees are like a royalty fee to sports leagues.

Now, a data integrity fee was first introduced in the preliminary bill in Jan. 2018. (Read more about various Indiana sports betting bills in our history and timeline below). In fact, Indiana is the first state actually to mention integrity fees to sports leagues. However, the final version of Indiana sports betting law does not include data integrity fees.

Geo-location

A requirement to Indiana sports betting is that you need to be physically located within state borders. Geolocation is a technology that legal online sportsbooks use to pinpoint your location through your device accurately.

In detail, if you are playing on your mobile device, you need to allow location access on your chosen sportsbook’s mobile app. The player location check will occur periodically to ensure you are within state borders. For mobile apps, the GeoComply technology is already built-in. However, for desktop devices, you are automatically directed to download the location detection plugin.

In Indiana, the minimum legal age requirement for sports betting is 21 years old. This requirement applies to both in-person wagering and online/mobile betting.

Note that by playing at a legal and licensed Indiana sports betting site, the operator may request additional documents to verify your age. Mostly, the age verification process requires you to send in a copy of your government-issued ID and full Social Security number.

All IN Online Sportsbooks

Technically, Indiana sports betting law allows each master sportsbook licensee up to three skins. Thus, properties like Penn National Gaming’s Hollywood Casino have two online sportsbooks, as seen in the table below. Overall, there is a possibility of over forty online sports betting sites in the Hoosier State.

8

Unibet Sports Review

Cash OutIn-play Betting
$1,000
Best value
William Hill Sportsbook Logo
9.1

William Hill Sports Book Review

Bet-BuilderIn-play BettingLive Streaming
$500
9.1

BetMGM Sports Review

Bet-BuilderCash OutIn-play BettingLive Streaming
$1,000
7.4

DraftKings Sportsbook Review

Cash OutIn-play BettingLive Streaming
$150
8.8

TwinSpires Sports Review

Bet-BuilderCash OutIn-play Betting
$1,000

Online SportsbookIN PartnerSoftware Provider
BetMGM SportsBelterra Casino ResortEntain, GVC Holdings
Unibet SportsHorseshoe Hammond CasinoKambi
DraftKings SportsbookAmeristar Casino East ChicagoSBTech
BetRivers Sports BookFrench Lick CasinoKambi
William Hill Sports BookCaesars Southern IndianaProprietary Software
theScore SportsbookHollywood Casino LawrenceburgBet.Works
Caesars SportsbookIndiana Grand Racing & CasinoWilliam Hill
TwinSpires SportsRising Star Casino ResortKambi

New Online Sportsbooks

Several new online sports are on the way to Indiana. Our list below displays sportsbooks that have either indicated they are launching in the Hoosier State or are currently awaiting approval through the IGC.

8.4

Barstool Sportsbook Review

Bet-BuilderCash OutIn-play Betting
$10
8.3

FOX Bet Sportsbook

Cash OutIn-play Betting
$500

Other IN online sportsbooks coming soon are:

  • SBK Sportsbook
  • BetIndiana

Retail Sportsbooks in Indiana

In Indiana, physical retail sportsbooks bear the distinction of being located in either: riverboat casino, racino (racetrack and casino), land-based casino, or Native American tribal land.

However, in recent years, the distinction between a riverboat casino and a land-based casino becomes blurred. In our sports betting timeline, the Indiana legislature allowed riverboat casinos to build physical land-based casinos and hotels in 2015.

Retail SportsbooksAddressLicense Type
Barstool SportsbookAmeristar Casino East Chicago 777 Aldis Ave, East Chicago, IN 46312Riverboat
FanDuel SportsbookBlue Chip Casino Hotel Spa 777 Blue Chip Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360Riverboat
Belterra Casino Resort 777 Belterra Dr, Florence, IN 47020Riverboat
French Lick SportsbookFrench Lick Resort Casino 8670 IN-56, French Lick, IN 47432Land-based
Barstool Sportsbook & RestaurantHollywood Casino & Hotel Lawrenceburg 777 Hollywood Blvd, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025Riverboat
The BookHarrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino 4500 Dan Patch Cir, Anderson, IN 46013OTB
BetAmerica SportsbookRising Star Casino Resort 777 Rising Star Dr, Rising Sun, IN 47040Riverboat
William Hill SportsbookTropicana Evansville 421 NW Riverside Dr, Evansville, IN 47708Land-based
Caesars Southern Indiana 11999 Casino Center Dr SE, Elizabeth, IN 47117Riverboat
Horseshoe Hammond 777 Casino Center Dr, Hammond, IN 46320Riverboat
Caesars SportsbookIndiana Grand Racing & Casino 4300 N Michigan Rd, Shelbyville, IN 46176Racino
Winner’s Circle Race Sports Pub – Clarskville 650 Eastern Blvd, Clarksville, IN 47129OTB
Winner’s Circle Race Sports Pub – New Haven 1304 Minnich Rd, New Haven, IN 46774OTB
TBD-BetIndianaMajestic Star Casino 1 Buffington Harbor Dr, Gary, IN 46406Riverboat
TBDFour Winds Casino South Bend 3000 Prairie Ave, South Bend, IN 46614Tribal Land Casino

Notably, the BetIndiana Sportsbook is pending launch, likely due to ongoing litigation involving Majestic Star’s parent company, Spectacle Entertainment. The IGC is investigating former Sen. Brent Waltz and John Keeler for fraud. Keeler is employed as a Majestic Star executive, and the legal woes stem from dubious contributions to Waltz’s campaign.

IN Sports Betting Apps

Indiana boasts some of the best online sportsbooks available in the nation, which means highly-rated sports betting apps are available. Note that the Indiana sports betting market is still maturing. Therefore, more online sportsbooks are on the way to the Hoosier State. Below, PlayingLegal ranks the best IN sports betting apps currently available.

BetMGM Sports Mobile App

$1000 First Bet Offer Terms:
  • Must clear in 7 days
  • Available for BetMGM Sports only
  • Bet must be qualifying
  • Bet must lose
More details +
$1,000
An All-Rounded Exceptional Sportsbook
The BetMGM Sportsbook has the capacity to deliver an all-around mobile betting experience. The app is clean, the new customer offer is amazing, and the supporting betting features are downright blissful. Truly, the only flaw is the delayed customer support response.
Bonus Offer
9.5
Odds Variety
9
Interface
9.5
Payment Options
9.5
Customer Support
8
PROS:
  • Free Live Streaming
  • Crisp in-play betting
  • Boosted parlays
  • Easy Navigation
CONS:
  • Shortage of special market odds
  • Slow customer support response

Overall, the BetMGM Sportsbook app sports a user-friendly interface with a fantastic navigation and lightning-quick responsivity. Best of all, live in-play odds are highlighted for placing quick wagers before the odds shift.

William Hill Sportsbook Mobile App

Best value
$500 Bonus Terms: 
  • No rollover required
  • Qualifying first bet must lose
  • Free bet must be used within 7 days
  • Valid for new customer accounts only
More details +
$500
Welcome Bonus
PLAYINGLEGALRF
Traditional and Excellent Sportsbook
William Hill clearly excels in certain areas. However, some basics are missing, like cash out and loyalty rewards. On the other hand, they are one of the most prominent bookmakers with live streaming. Their bonus terms are short, yet extremely favorable.
Bonus Offer
10
Odds Variety
8.5
Interface
9
Payment Options
9
Customer Support
9
PROS:
  • Live Streaming
  • Transparent terms of use
  • Generous welcome bonus
  • Responsive customer support
  • Complete odds offer
CONS:
  • Cash Out not available yet
  • The user interface could be improved

William Hill Sportsbook consistently enhances and improves the mobile app. Today, you can receive a seamless betting experience where finding markets and placing wagers are a breeze. A proprietary platform, you find a broad and deeper array of markets plus sports bet types than the competition.

Unibet Sportsbook Mobile App

$1000 First Bet Offer Terms:
  • Must clear in 7 days
  • Available for BetMGM Sports only
  • Bet must be qualifying
  • Bet must lose
More details +
Reliable from Start to Finish
Truly, Unibet Sportsbook is worthy of trying out. Firstly, this online betting site offers up an amazing no-deposit bonus by awarding Bonus Bets. Also, there’s exciting ongoing betting promotions, cash out and in-play betting. Props really appear to be Unibet’s strong suit. However, you will need to overlook the rather plain betting interface of Unibet and customer support can be hit-or-miss.
Bonus Offer
8.5
Odds
9
Interface
6.5
Payment Options
9
Customer Support
7
PROS:
  • No deposit bonus
  • Incredible selection of lines and bet types
  • Variety of in-play props and live betting options
  • Excellent ongoing promotions
CONS:
  • Simple interface
  • Rewards program by invite only
  • Customer support is hit-or-miss

The Unibet sportsbook app is well-organized and very simple to use. Sports bettors, new and old alike, appreciate the simplicity of the mobile betting interface. Moreover, there is a fantastic and impressive variety of sports to bet on. Finally, if you desire futures and props, Unibet Sportsbook often posts lines ahead of the competition.

DraftKings Sportsbook Mobile App

Bet $5, Get $150 Instantly + A No Sweat SGP Every Day
  • Valid 1 per new customer.
  • Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet.
  • $150 issued in bonus bets.
  • Opt in req. 1 No Sweat token issued per day.
  • SGP/SGPx bets only. 3+ legs req.
  • Max. wagering limits apply.
  • Must use funds from cash balance. Must select token BEFORE placing bet.
  • Bet must lose after applying Token. Paid as one Bonus Bet based on amount of losing bet.
  • Tokens expire at start of the last game each day when offered.
  • No Sweat cannot be used to redeem Bet $5 Get $150 offer.
  • Rewarded bonus bets expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded.
  • Bonus bets must be wagered 1x and stake is not included in winnings.
More details +
Average, Improvement is Needed
Overall, DraftKings carries brand recognition. Beyond that, while the bonus offer looks generous, there is a higher wagering requirement than other online sportsbooks. Also, the mobile app needs work due to stability issues, such as freezing and crashing. Finally, customer service is notoriously slow to respond. Therefore, I highly recommend line shopping and not committing to one specific sportsbook.
Bonus Offer
7
Odds Variety
9
Interface
7.5
Payment Options
7.5
Customer Support
6
PROS:
  • A reputable and historic brand
  • Live Streaming
  • In-play betting
  • Cashouts
CONS:
  • Slow customer support
  • Mobile app stability issues
  • High wagering requirements for the bonus

While the DraftKings Sportsbook app is highly rated, lately, many customers complain of the freezing and lagging issues. Overall, DraftKings needs to improve the mobile app stability.

How to Bet Online in Indiana

Hoosiers rejoice because you can register remotely for any of the legal IN sportsbooks online. Moreover, the process is simple and takes just a few minutes to complete. Finally, you don’t even need to be located within Indiana state borders when you register. On the other hand, you need to be in Indiana borders when you actually place any sports wagers.

Without further ado, here is a step-by-step process on how to bet online in Indiana:

  1. To begin with, select an IN online sportsbook from our carefully curated top list.
  2. Now, navigate to the IN sports betting site with a web-based browser.
  3. You can usually either scroll to the bottom to download the mobile app, where most sites display either an Android or iOS icon. Alternatively, you can search for a ‘Download’ section.
  4. Next, complete registration for your chosen operator to set up your new IN online sports betting account. Be ready to provide the following information:
    • Full legal name
    • Email
    • Residential address
    • Date of birth
    • Last four or full SSN.
  5. At this point, take a moment to be sure to apply any promo codes for welcome bonus offers if available.
  6. Now, be sure to fund your new sports betting account with the most convenient payment method for you.
  7. Once your sports betting account is open, browse the available bet selections and add your desired ones to your bet slip.

Beware that you might be asked for your full Social Security number plus a government-issued ID by an IN online sportsbook. These additional requirements are how legal and licensed sportsbooks, not just here in Indiana but across the country, verify your age and identity.

IN Betting Bonuses and Promotions

Definitely, there is market competition amongst the legal IN online sportsbooks. Ultimately, competition is good news for sports bettors because each operator wants your business. Thus, Indiana online sportsbooks provide a whole host of welcome bonus offers plus ongoing betting promotions.

Below, neatly organized into tables, explore a sampling of welcome bonus offers plus ongoing betting promotions. Notably, PlayingLegal encourages line shopping and researching the best bonuses and promotions. To take advantage of the best odds, lines, or promotions, you should have multiple accounts at different sportsbooks.

IN Sports Betting Bonuses
No-deposit bonusDeposit match bonus
Free bet

IN Sports Betting Promotions
Parlay boostBetting reload bonus
Odds boostLeaderboard races

Payment Methods

Definitely, the best advantage to playing at a legal Indiana sportsbook ensures that your personal information and funds are secure. The advantages don’t stop there, either, because legal operators offer more various payment methods and options to move your funds on and offline easily.

Note that not every payment method is available for withdrawing and depositing as well. Finally, not every IN sports betting site offers all the options listed below.

IN Sportsbook Payment Methods
Play+ Prepaid CardPayPalSkrill
Bank TransfereCheck/ACHWire Transfer
Casino CashierPayNearMeMajor Credit/Debit Cards

Most Popular Sports in IN Sportsbooks

Overall, football reigns supreme as the most popular sport for Indiana sports betting. Other popular sports include baseball, basketball, hockey, and even NCAA sports. Best of all, the Hoosier State has few restrictions on what you can place wagers on.

🏈
NFL
🏀
NBA
🏒
NHL

MLB

NCAA

In Indiana, there are various teams Division I football and basketball teams. NCAAF and NCAAB betting are extremely popular, particularly around March Madness and College Football National Championship.

Here are some of IN most popular college teams:

  • Notre Dame Fighting Irish
  • Indiana Hoosiers
  • Ball State Cardinals
  • DePauw Tigers
  • Purdue Boilermakers
  • Valparaiso Crusaders

NASCAR and IndyCar

In the Hoosier State, NASCAR and IndyCar races are available to place wagers on. Moreover, Indy 500 betting is a major race, with many sportsbooks offering promotions centered around it.

Here are some of the most popular NASCAR and IndyCar racing bets:

  • Outright Winner
  • Pole Position
  • Driver Head-to-Head
  • Fastest Lap
  • Podium Finish

NFL

Indiana NFL betting certainly tops the list of popular sports bets. Home to the Indianapolis Colts, no doubt Hoosiers are fiercely loyal fans, especially come game day at the Lucas Oil Stadium. Moreover, the Colts are the first NFL team to enter into a sponsorship with Caesars and William Hill officially.

Directly on the Colts mobile app, you can use the Caesars ‘Pick 6 Predictor.’ Once you answer questions correctly by choosing the outcome, you are eligible for prizes and promotions. Other Indiana sportsbooks no doubt offer betting promotions centered around NFL games.

Otherwise, popular IN NFL bets include:

  • NFL Playoffs
  • Super Bowl
  • Pre and regular season
  • Futures
  • Props
  • Live in-play betting

NBA

In Indiana, NBA betting is popular as well considering, there is a home team, the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers officially partnered with PointsBet. Thus, if you attend games at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, PointsBet is prominently displayed around the stadium.

Particularly surrounding the Pacers games, Indiana online sportsbooks offer parlays, boosted odds, and other promotions. NBA bettors in IN also enjoy:

  • NBA Finals
  • Futures
  • MVP
  • Point Spreads
  • DPOY
  • Props
  • Conference Winners
  • Live in-play betting

NHL

Technically, there are no NHL teams that call the Hoosier State home. Yet, IN sports bettors still enjoy betting on the following teams nearby: Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Detroit Red Wings.

Moreover, the Stanley Cup is a fan-favorite of NHL fans and sports bettors alike. Otherwise, here are some traditional NHL betting types that are most popular:

  • Moneyline
  • Puck Line
  • Totals
  • Regulation
  • Alternative bets
  • Parlays
  • Props
  • Live betting

MLB

Although Indiana has no MLB home team, there is still plenty of interest in IN MLB betting. In particular, there are many Midwest MLB teams in border states such as the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians.

Popular MLB bets in the Hoosier State include:

  • Moneyline
  • Run line
  • Totals
  • Innings
  • Alternate lines
  • World Series
  • Futures
  • Series betting
  • Prop bets
  • Live in-play betting

Types of Sports Betting in Indiana

IN has the following traditional types of sports betting available, such as: 

  • Moneylines
  • Point Spreads
  • Totals (Overs/Unders)
  • Live in-play betting
  • Alternate Wagers
  • Parlays
  • Props
  • Futures

History of Sports Betting in Indiana

Certainly, the road to legal sports betting in Indiana is a long one. Below, explore the history and timeline of sports betting legislation.

Overall, Indiana had a more mature gaming infrastructure, starting with riverboat casinos to other venues such as racetracks and OTBs. Thus, the Hoosier State could launch sports betting in a matter of months compared to other states.

Riverboat Casinos, Racetracks, and OTBs

  • 1851

    IN voters outlaw lotteries in the state Constitution, which courts interpret as a ban on all gambling.

  • 1988

    IN voters again amend the Constitution by repealing most of the previous 1851 amendment.

  • 1989

    Indiana launches the Hoosier Lottery. Also, IN legislators authorize pari-mutuel betting available on horse and greyhound racing.

  • Nov. 7, 1989

    Voter referendum allowed on Thomas Barnes (Mayor of Gary, IN) initiative to allow casinos.

  • 1990-1992

    The first bill introduced by legislators for the authorization of riverboat casinos fails before reaching the Senate. Subsequent bills in the following years fail as well, but the 1992 attempt reaches the Senate.

  • 1993

    After the state legislature could not pass a budget, a special session addressed the need. Finally, Republicans were on board with passing riverboat casino game licenses. Voter referendum also passes on riverboat casino expansion.

  • 1994

    Hoosier Park opens as the first legal racetrack in Indiana.

  • 1995

    Off-track betting parlors open for business.

  • Dec. 1995

    The first authorized riverboat casino opens in Evansville.

  • 1996-1998

    The majority of riverboat casinos we recognize today open during these years, such as the Argosy, Blue Chip, and Belterra.

  • 2006

    Now, legislators allow racetracks to offer slots along with table games.

  • 2007

    Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs convert to become racinos.

  • 2012

    Four Winds announces plans to build Indiana’s first land-based casino outside of South Bend.

  • 2015

    Indiana gaming law changes to allow riverboat casinos conversion to land-based casinos.

Timeline of DFS Until Legal Sports Betting

  • 2016

    Notably, former Gov. Mike Pence signs into law to allow daily fantasy sports as games of skill.

  • Jan. 2018

    Rep. Alan Morrison sponsors HB 1325 on sports betting, the first mention of an integrity fee. Then, other bills by Sen. Mark Mesmer and Sen. John do not include the fee. However, none of these bills made it to vote.

  • May 2018

    The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturns PASPA, allowing New Jersey and other states to offer legal sports betting.

  • Oct. 2018

    Indiana Supreme Court sides with FanDuel and DraftKings, DFS sites, after suit filed by former college athletes under the right of publicity statutes. Ultimately, this decision impacted and even swayed the legalization of sports betting in Indiana.

  • Jan. 2019

    Rep. Jerry Torr introduces H 1015. Meanwhile, Senators Mark Messer and Jon Ford introduce S 552.

  • April 2019

    After multiple hearings and debates, a compromise bill was presented with the two bills, including allowing statewide mobile online betting.

  • May 8, 2019

    Gov. Eric Holcomb signs into law H 1015, legalizing sports betting for Indiana.

  • Sept. 1, 2019

    Sports betting officially kicks off in Indiana, with Gov. Holcomb placing the first legal bets in the Hoosier State.

  • Oct. 3, 2019

    Online sports betting opened to the state of Indiana, with more sportsbooks launching over the next few months.

The Future of IN Sports Betting

Overall, the future of Indiana sports betting is promising due to its head start in sports betting. In detail, the Hoosier State took in $1.7 billion in sports betting handle during 2020. Thus far, Indiana’s sports betting revenue brought in a little over $24 million for the 2020 fiscal year. Also, more online sportsbooks are readying to launch in Indiana.

Strong sports betting handle numbers like these indicate a strong future for Indiana. Moreover, these numbers are reminiscent of New Jersey’s first year. Although other bordering states have legalized and launched sports betting like Michigan and Illinois, there are remaining states who do not allow online sports betting.

When you examine New Jersey’s sports betting market, it is clear that the residents from bordering states continue to wager in the Garden State. Therefore, Indiana’s bordering states’ residents, such as Kentucky and Ohio, will continue to place online bets in Indiana because they face a long road to sports betting legalization. While this advantage may not last forever, expect the Indiana sports betting industry to continue growing for now.

IN Sports Betting FAQs

Can you bet on sports in Indiana?

Yes, officially, you can bet on sports legally in Indiana as of Sept. 1, 2019. In fact, Gov. Holcomb even placed the Hoosier State’s first legal wagers. Then, on Oct. 4, 2019, online sportsbooks started accepting wagers. More new sports betting sites are also expected to launch in Indiana in the future as well.

Is online betting legal in Indiana?

Yes, online betting is legal in Indiana. As of Oct. 4, 2019, IN online sportsbooks began to accept bets from customers. Moreover, online sportsbooks in the Hoosier State are regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission, ensuring your personal details and funds' safety and security.

Can you play on bet365 in Indiana?

You cannot play on bet365 in Indiana yet. However, PlayingLegal expects that bet365 will eventually launch in the Hoosier State. To explain, Playtech powers the bet365 platform, and the company announced plans to expand into Indiana. Thus, it could be that bet365 eventually launches in Indiana.

How do I place a bet in Indiana?

You have two options for placing a sports bet in Indiana. Firstly, you can place sports bets online or through a mobile app from one of the legal and licensed sportsbooks by the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC). Secondly, you can also choose to place sports bets in-person at a land-based or riverboat casino, racino (racetrack and casino), or an off-track betting parlor.

What is the minimum legal age for sports betting in Indiana?

The minimum legal age for sports betting in Indiana is 21 years old. Keep in mind that there are other additional restrictions, even if you are 21 years old. For example, you cannot be associated with a collegiate or professional sports team.

What is the Indiana sports betting law?

Indiana officially legalized sports betting when Gov. Eric Holcomb signed H 1015. This piece of legislation legalized IN sports betting and allowed for mobile or online betting. Moreover, other details were set like a 9.5% tax rate. Finally, the Indiana Gaming Commission is the state regulator that oversees sports betting in the Hoosier State.

What did the Indiana sports betting bill do?

The Indiana sports betting bill H 1015 modernized gaming in the Hoosier State. Most importantly, the bill allowed for online sports betting and in-person wagering at retail locations. Additionally, the Indiana sports betting bill makes way for a new Terre Haute casino.

How does sports betting work in Fort Wayne, IN?

In Fort Wayne, IN, you can sports bet online. Additionally, if you are searching for a retail sports betting location, check out the Winner’s Circle New Haven, located a short distance from Fort Wayne.

Can I play at BetMGM in Indiana?

Yes, you can play at BetMGM in Indiana. Indeed, BetMGM actually launched in Feb. 2020. In Indiana, BetMGM partnered with Belterra Casino, located in Florence, Indiana. However, thanks to online sports betting, you can register remotely as long as you are located within state borders.

Is theScore bet available in Indiana?

Yes, theScore Bet is now available in Indiana. In the Hoosier State, theScore Bet partnered with Penn National Gaming. You can sign-up completely online for theScore bet anywhere in the country. However, you do need to be physically within Indiana state borders to place wagers.

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