State of Play in Indiana
Sports Betting in Indiana
Both retail and online sports betting launched in Indiana in fall 2019. Since then, the state’s sports wagering offerings have expanded to include more than a dozen mobile sports betting apps, as well as retail sportsbooks at land-based casinos throughout the state.
Mobile sports betting is legal throughout the state, as long as you’re located within Indiana borders at the time of a bet. No other iGaming formats are yet legal in the Hoosier State, but that could change in the future.
Sportsbooks in Indiana
Q&A
- How old do you have to be to bet online in Indiana? 21 years of age. Indiana requires all bettors to be at least 21 years of age to sign up for an online sports betting account and to place any wagers. This is a pretty standard age throughout the US, but some states do allow for bettors to be just 18.
- Can I bet on college sports in Indiana? Yes. Betting on college sports is one of the biggest debates surrounding the US sports betting industry, but the final decision is up to each state. Not only can you bet on college sports in Indiana, but you can also bet on the in-state college teams.
- Can I bet on esports at Indiana’s sportsbook apps? No. Indiana specifically ruled that betting on amateur sporting events or Esports was strictly prohibited when it legalized sports betting. Esports is a growing and thriving industry, but state lawmakers have not yet made a change to the initial law.
- Can I bet using BetMGM in Indiana? Yes. BetMGM Sportsbook is available in the state of Indiana, having launched on February 25, 2020. BetMGM is a product of MGM Resorts International and it has built up a big presence in the US sports betting industry.
- Can I bet anonymously at Indiana legal betting sites? No, absolutely not. If you are going to bet at a legal betting site in Indiana then you have to sign up for an account. When you are signing up for an account, you will be required to provide your personal information so that your identity can be verified by the legal betting sites.
Methodology
Indiana Online Betting
Indiana online betting apps launched in 2019. After making online sports betting legal, The Hoosier State has since emerged as one of the biggest legal sports betting markets in the Midwest U.S.
This Props.com review includes how to bet in Indiana, what you can bet on in Indiana, and more. Check back with this guide often for the latest information on risk-free bet bonuses, deposit match offers, free bet promos, and more.
Top Sportsbook Picks in Indiana
IN Sports Betting Key Details
Below are the details of the Indiana sports betting market:
- Legalization Date: May 2019
- Retail Launch Date: September 2019
- Mobile Sports Betting Launch Date: October 2019
- Age Requirement: 21+
- Retail Sports Betting Tax Rate: 5%
- Mobile Sports Betting Tax Rate: 5%
- College Betting Restrictions: Player Props, in-play betting, and non Division 1 games
Facts About Indiana Online Betting
When the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was repealed back in May 2018, it gave every state in the U.S. the ability to legalize sports betting. Indiana wasn’t one of the first states to make a move, but the state didn’t waste much time.
Governor Eric Holcomb signed a bill (House Bill 1015) into law in May 2019, which made sports betting legal in Indiana. First, legal sports betting launched in September as the first retail sportsbook opened. Then, just one month later, the state offered online sports betting for the very first time.
The Indiana Gaming Commission oversees and regulates the new sports betting industry, and it wasn’t long before the Hoosier State became one of the leaders in the U.S. Indiana saw more than $1 billion wagered during the first 12 months of legal sports betting.
H 1015 legalized retail and online betting, and the state allowed remote mobile registration. The legal sports betting age, set at 21 years of age, stayed consistent with the other gambling laws in Indiana.
Indiana taxes sports betting at a rate of 9.5%, and the cost to obtain a sports betting license is $100,000. These numbers are right around average when looking at other states across the US.
Indiana got off to a fast start in dominating the sports betting market throughout the Midwest. Still, that part of the country now includes several states that offer online sports betting options. As Indiana continues expanding its entire gaming industry, more new retail and online sports betting options could launch throughout the state.
Which Indiana Online Sportsbooks Are Available?
The first Indiana sports betting sites launched on October 3, 2019. DraftKings Sportsbook and BetRivers went live on that date, with other sportsbook brands quickly joining the market after that.
The state of Indiana allows remote registration when signing up for a new mobile account, which allowed the state to get off to a big start. The NFL draws significant betting interest from Indiana sports bettors, as does basketball.
There are now more than a dozen online sportsbooks in Indiana, and more can join the list in the future. However, the only way to gain access to the state is to partner with a land-based casino or racetrack and offer sports betting through one online skin.
Here is a list of sportsbook apps either currently up and running or projected to launch in Indiana:
Best Indiana Sports Betting Sites
Caesars Sportsbook Indiana
Caesars Sportsbook contends as one of the most popular online betting sites in the U.S. Backed by Caesars Entertainment, the Caesars betting app offer a full menu of sports and ways to bet.
Props.com readers can sign up at Caesars sportsbook and get a $1,250 risk-free bet. Check out our full review of Caesars Sportsbook.
DraftKings Sportsbook IN
DraftKings has established its brand as one of the most recognizable names in the U.S. sports betting industry. DraftKings Indiana Sportsbook offers one of the highest-rated online betting platforms in the Hoosier State.
Check out our DraftKings Sportsbook review to see the current welcome bonus offer available for Indiana players.
FanDuel Indiana Sportsbook
FanDuel stands as the most popular sports betting brand in the U.S. The FanDuel Sportsbook Indiana platform should be a go-to online book for all bettors in the Hoosier State.
You can sign up at FanDuel Sportsbook IN using the link below and claim a “$1,000 No Sweat First Bet.” Be sure to read the Props.com review of FanDuel Sportsbook.
BetMGM Indiana
BetMGM functions as the sports betting arm of the MGM Resorts brand. BetMGM Sportsbook IN competes with any of the top betting apps in Indiana.
Sign up for a BetMGM IN Sportsbook account with the link below, and you’ll unlock a $1,000 risk-free bet. Read our BetMGM review for an overview on all of the features offered by the BetMGM app.
BetRivers Indiana
BetRivers (under parent company Rush Street Interactive) operates as one of the fastest-growing sports betting apps in the U.S. market. BetRivers IN Sportsbook makes a great option for Indiana bettors in just about every category.
Prop.com readers can opt-in for a $500 risk-free bet from BetRivers through the link below. For more on this platform, read our BetRivers Sportsbook review.
PointsBet Indiana Sportsbook
PointsBet IN offers one of the more unique platforms among Indiana betting apps. The brand’s “PointsBetting” wagering style allows you to win (or lose) more money on a bet based on the margin of victory.
PointsBet Sportsbook Indiana welcomes new players with two risk-free bets for up to a combined $2,000 max. Props.com readers can learn more about this offer in our review of PointsBet.
Unibet Sportsbook Indiana
Unibet expanded into the U.S. as an established global online gambling brand. Unibet Indiana carries the brand’s tradition by offering a top-notch selection of international sports.
You can claim a $250 risk-free bet by signing up for Unibet IN Sportsbook with the link below. Check out the Props.com full review of Unibet for more information.
Betway Indiana Sportsbook
While perhaps not as well-known as some of the other Indiana sportsbooks on this list, Betway offers a solid option for online wagering. Like Unibet, Betway Sportsbook Indiana includes an extensive menu of international sports.
Sign up for a Betway IN account with the link below to unlock a risk-free bet up to $250. Be sure to read our Betway review as well.
WynnBET Indiana
WynnBET rounds out our list of the best sports betting sites in the state. Backed by Wynn Interactive, WynnBET Sportsbook IN presents a solid platform to bet on sports.
Sign up for WynnBET Sportsbook in with the link below and get a special welcome bonus offer for Props.com readers. Check out our WynnBET review for more details.
How To Sign Up For Indiana Online Betting Apps
Signing up for an account on any of the sportsbooks listed above is a simple process that will look similar regardless of what option you choose.
You can begin the process by clicking on the “Play Now” links included in this overview of how to bet online in Indiana. Those links will redirect you to the App Store (for Apple iOS users) or the Google Play store if you’re viewing this page on an Android device. You can also sign up through a desktop browser, with no need to download the app.
Each sportsbook will request some basic personal information to verify your identity before you are allowed to proceed.
Indiana state law allows for betting on in-state college teams, outlawed in other sports betting markets throughout the U.S.
Indiana does not allow wagering on Esports, but there has been a big push throughout the U.S. to make this an available betting market.
When you sign up for an Indiana sports betting app, you’ll be eligible for new player bonuses like risk-free bets, deposit matches, and free bet offers. For the latest promo code info and more, check out our resource on Best Indiana Sportsbook Bonus Offers.
Retail Sportsbooks In Indiana
Indiana typically sees between 80-90 percent of all wagers online, but there is still a large retail sports betting scene. Casinos and racetracks are eligible to apply for a sports betting license to offer retail wagering.
Once the state approves a casino or racetrack for a license, these properties are free to partner with a sportsbook operator to get the sportsbook set up. Some sportsbook operators have partnered with multiple casinos or racetracks to provide sports betting.
Here is a complete list of Indiana casinos with a retail sportsbook:
Indiana Retail Sportsbook Locations
- Ameristar Casino East Chicago
- Belterra Casino Resort
- Blue Chip Casino
- Caesars Southern Indiana
- French Lick Resort Casino
- Harrah’s Hoosier Park
- Hollywood Casino (Lawrenceburg)
- Horseshoe Hammond Casino
- Horseshoe Southern Indiana
- Indiana Grand
- Hard Rock Sportsbook
- Rising Star Casino Resort
- Winner’s Circle (Clarksville)
- Tropicana Evansville
- Winner’s Circle (Evansville)
- Winner’s Circle (New Haven)
Indiana Betting In Sports Venues
Indiana does not yet allow for retail sports betting at its professional stadiums in the state, but sports betting lounges can be established. These lounges show live odds boards, but the player must do all betting through a mobile app.
Caesars just recently opened up a sports betting lounge at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Indiana was one of the first states to jump at the chance to legalize sports betting, but it was also one of the first to legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports (DFS) officially. Governor Mike Pence signed Senate Bill 339 into law on March 24, 2016, formally legalizing this industry.
Since the state decided to legalize these sites, that also means that these sites must pay a tax on their revenue to the state. In addition, only those sites with a license can offer any form of DFS games to players in Indiana.
Our Daily Fantasy Recommendations
DFS Sites With Salary Cap
The two biggest DFS sites throughout the US are DraftKings and FanDuel, and they quickly emerged as the leaders in Indiana as well. These sites have been battling it out for close to a decade, and that same battle is taking place in the Hoosier State.
DraftKings and FanDuel have expanded their DFS offerings over the years, but they still feature the same primary contests that made them popular. These games are known as “Salary Cap” contests and give users a chance to build up a fantasy roster based on a specific dollar amount.
It is effortless to sign up for an account with either of these two sites, and you can complete the entire process from your mobile device. DraftKings and FanDuel offer a mobile app, but they also have an online site that the player can utilize.
Other DFS operators have attempted to copy the style of games offered by these two sites, but DraftKings and FanDuel continue to lead the way.
Indiana Player Prop Games
The salary cap style DFS games continue to be the most popular, but those aren’t the only types that you can find in Indiana. The entire DFS industry continues to grow, although not at the same rate as legal sports betting.
You can also find player-prop games that resemble traditional sports betting. With these games, you are simply making picks based on the options offered to you from the DFS sites.
There will be a long list of players available for a wide range of sports, and your first step is to choose some players. Then, you can make predictions for how those players will perform in specific statistical categories.
Some of the sites that offer player prop games in Indiana include
- Underdog Fantasy (check out the Props.com Underdog Fantasy review)
- Boom Fantasy review (check out the Props.com Boom Fantasy review)
- PrizePicks
You can also quickly sign up for a new account at any of the sites listed below as long as you are in Indiana when you access the sites.
Best Ball Games
Another growing form of online fantasy sports in Indiana is a game known as “Best Ball.” This game style has started to be introduced by the more significant DFS sites, but it is also the top option on some smaller, more unique sites.
Underdog Fantasy is one of the sites that offers Best Ball as one of its games, and it is a unique twist on a season-long fantasy contest. Underdog is available to players in Indiana, and it’s a very easy site to sign up for.
Since Underdog Fantasy is a licensed site in Indiana, you will have to be in the state to play physically. However, follow the on-screen instructions when creating an account, and you can be playing Best Ball in a matter of minutes.
Legal Online Poker Sites
Several of Indiana’s land-based casinos’ host live poker rooms. Casino poker rooms offer the only legal poker option in the state for now.
Online poker has been discussed in Indiana a few times, most recently in January 2021. Senator Jon Ford introduced Senate Bill 417 as a way to legalize online casinos, with online poker was included in the proposal as well.
That bill didn’t generate enough support to continue moving at that time, but there was some positive discussion. There wasn’t considerable opposition to the bill, as in some other states, which could allow online poker in the future.
There are only a handful of online poker operators currently in the United States, but this market would be attractive to those companies if this became a possibility. As of now, however, online poker isn’t legal in Indiana.
Indiana Online Casinos
As mentioned in the previous section, online casino gambling has been on some lawmakers’ minds in Indiana. SB 417 mainly was looking to legalize online casino gambling, as the industry experienced significant growth in the U.S. in 2021. The Michigan online casino market flourished in the Midwest after launching in January 2021.
That proposal would have allowed casinos and racetracks in Indiana to offer online casino gambling, and each property would receive three online skins. If a similar bill gets passed in the future, Indiana could potentially see more than 30 online casinos up and running.
There is no set timetable for Indiana to approve online casino gambling, but it does appear to be on the right path. This could become one of the largest online casino gambling markets in the U.S. if a bill were approved.
Top Sportsbook Picks in Indiana
Top Sportsbook Picks in Indiana
Are Indiana Online Sports Betting Sites Fair?
The short answer to the question posed above is yes, online gambling sites in Indiana are fair. All sites have to go through an approval process to obtain a license, and they will continue to be regulated and checked as long as they stay in operation.
In Indiana, these online gambling sites might not seem fair at times if you are losing money, but all of their practices are. So even though you can pick from many different online gambling sites, they will follow the same basic principles.
What Group Regulates Indiana Online Sportsbooks?
Lawmakers put the Indiana Gaming Commission in charge of regulating the online sports betting industry back in 2019. The IGC has several tasks, but the most important is reviewing license applications and issuing licenses.
Are Indiana Sports Betting Apps Trustworthy?
If an online sportsbook holds a license to operate in Indiana, then you should know right away that it is trustworthy.
If, for some reason, you need to file a complaint against one of the sportsbooks in the state, then you can reach out to the Indiana Gaming Commission. Each site also has its customer service department to handle any questions or concerns.
Indiana Sports Betting Site Deposits And Withdrawals
Most online sportsbooks allow deposits using credit card, debit card, ACH/eCheck, PayPal, Play+ (prepaid cards), online banking, and several other methods. When making a deposit, check this guide for any promo codes (bonus codes) you might be able to apply.
When you win and want to cash out from Indiana online betting sites, you can use any of the methods we’ve listed above, except for credit/debit cards.
Popular Sports Teams In Indiana
Indiana professional sports teams, as well as in-state college programs, can legally be wagered upon in the Hoosier State. Some of the most popular teams from Indiana include:
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts represent what is perhaps the most popular Indiana pro sports franchise. The Colts currently play in the AFC South in the NFL.
Check out the Props.com How to Bet on the NFL Guide.
Indiana Pacers
The NBA’s Indiana Pacers operate as one of two Indiana-based pro sports teams. The Pacers last made the NBA playoffs in the 2019-2020 season.
For more on NBA betting, take a look at the Props.com How to Read NBA Odds guide.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish persists as a perennial college football powerhouse. Based in South Bend, Notre Dame also contends in college basketball and several other NCAA sports.
Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers represent one of the most storied NCAA Men’s Basketball programs in the nation. Competing in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers play in some of the most watched basketball contests on the Indiana sports calendar.
The Hoosiers boast a long history of March Madness appearances, including five national championships.
Purdue Boilermakers
Also competing in the Big Ten Conference, the Purdue Boilermakers are always a threat to compete in both college basketball and NCAA football. In both of those sports, Purdue’s matchups with Indiana University take center stage on the college sports calendar in the Hoosier State.