Indiana Online Sports Betting
Since its launch in 2019, the Indiana online sports betting market has established itself as one of the nation’s best for fans.
A well-defined legal framework, reasonable tax rates, and straightforward licensing requirements make Indiana an attractive, competitive market for operators, which means more choices for consumers.
Continue below for a detailed and fact-focused overview of the Indiana sports betting market, key regulations fans need to know, and the best online sportsbook brands bettors should consider first.
Indiana Sports Betting Apps
Indiana hosts an extensive range of licensed online sports betting apps, each partnered with existing brick-and-mortar casinos to ensure regulatory compliance and secure operational standards.
Prominent Indiana sports betting brands include:
| Sportsbook Brand | Partner Casino | Key Competitive Advantage |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Blue Chip Casino | User-friendly app; competitive odds; fast payouts |
| Bet365 Sportsbook | French Lick Casino | Competitive odds (including parlays); advanced live betting tools; early cash-out |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Belterra Casino | Extensive promotions; loyalty rewards; ultra-fast payouts |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Harrah’s Hoosier Park | Comprehensive loyalty rewards; parlay boosts |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Ameristar Casino | Vast betting catalog; feature-rich mobile app |
Indiana Online Sports Betting Overview
Online sports betting is legal, regulated, and available statewide in Indiana.
The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) regulates sports betting and aims to maintain a secure, fair, and transparent environment for bettors and visitors alike.
To bet on sports in Indiana, fans must be:
- 21 years of age or older
- Physically located within state lines
- Not on Indiana’s voluntary self-exclusion list
Fans may fund their online sports betting accounts via:
- Credit and debit cards
- Cash at the casino
- Reloadable prepaid cards
- Bank transfers
- Wire transfers
- Any other method approved by the IGC (includes Apple Pay, PayNearMe, PayPal, etc.)
Users with funded accounts may bet on:
- Professional sports
- Collegiate sports
- International events/foreign leagues
- MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL, and WNBA drafts
- Summer and Winter Olympics
- Other: Academy Awards (category winners only) and Nathan’s Famous Hotdog Eating Contest
Licensed Indiana online sportsbooks may not accept wagers on the following:
- In-play prop bets on the performances of individual athletes in college games, such as in-game wagers (betting begins after the game starts) on how many points a college basketball player will score, how many passing yards a college quarterback will achieve, etc.
- “Inherently objectionable” events, such as athlete injuries, whether an athlete will be arrested, etc.
- Officiating decisions such as when the first penalty flag will be thrown, how many fouls will be called, the outcome of the coach’s challenge, etc.
Indiana Sports Betting Bonuses
Indiana allows sportsbooks to offer bonuses and promotions, but they must be transparent and comply with regulations to avoid misleading consumers.
Licensed Indiana online sportsbooks offer a variety of bonuses to attract and retain customers. Common promotional categories include:
- Deposit match bonuses, where users receive bonus funds equal to the amount of their first deposit
- “Bet & get” offers, where a small initial wager unlocks bonus bets
- “No sweat first bet” promos that refund a losing first wager up to a certain amount in bonus credits
- Reduced juice promotions that result in bettors getting better-than-market odds
All promotions and sportsbook advertisements are subject to strict regulations by the Indiana Gaming Commission to ensure fairness and transparency. Under 68 IAC 27-7-16, all sports wagering promotions must:
- Be stated in clear, accurate, and unambiguous terms.
- Feature material terms and conditions in close proximity to the headline claim of the advertisement.
- Not be described as “risk-free” if a patron needs to risk their own money to participate or to withdraw winnings derived from the promotion.
- Not restrict a patron from withdrawing their own deposited funds or winnings from wagers placed with their own funds.
Furthermore, operators must make all reasonable attempts to prevent individuals on the state’s self-exclusion list from receiving direct marketing materials (68 IAC 27-13-4).
Retail Sportsbooks in Indiana
Land-based casinos, race tracks, and off-track betting facilities (OTBs) may apply for retail (in-person) sportsbook licenses from the Indiana Gaming Commission.
The first retail sportsbooks opened on 1 September 2019, with the first bets placed by Gov. Holcomb. Incidentally, the Governor’s bets were on the Colts and Pacers to win their respective championships, and another on the Indiana Fever (WNBA) to win their contest that night (they lost).
Each retail sportsbook is also authorized to launch up to three individual Indiana betting sites and mobile sportsbook apps in partnership with outside software providers. In theory, this means that the Indiana market can legally support dozens of licensed sports betting apps.
Sports Betting Laws in Indiana
The foundation of Indiana’s sports betting market is House Enrolled Act 1015 (2019), which is codified in the Indiana Code under Title 4, Article 38.
Regulatory Authority
The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) serves as the primary regulatory body overseeing all sports betting activities in Indiana. Its primary responsibilities include:
- Licensing: Processing applications and issuing licenses to qualified sportsbook operators.
- Compliance: Ensuring adherence to state laws and operational regulations through regular inspections and audits.
- Integrity Assurance: Monitoring betting activities to detect and prevent fraud, match-fixing, and other illegal practices.
- Responsible Gaming: Implementing robust responsible gaming measures, including self-exclusion programs and public awareness campaigns.
Key Indiana Sports Betting Statutes and Regulations
Indiana’s sports betting statutes and the IGC have established a comprehensive set of rules to govern the day-to-day operations of sports betting:
- Age and Location: Participants must be 21 years of age or older to bet on sports online in Indiana. All online wagers must be placed from within the physical borders of Indiana, which is verified by mandatory geofencing technology on all licensed apps (IC 4-38-3-1). You do not need to be an Indiana resident to bet, but you must be in the state at the time of the wager.
- Taxation and Fees: The state imposes a 9.5% tax on adjusted gross sports wagering revenue. Certificate holders are required to pay an annual license fee of $50,000.
- Qualified Sportsbook Applicants: Land-based casinos, race tracks, and off-track betting parlors apply for and hold master sports wagering licenses. Each licensee may partner with third-party software providers such as FanDuel and DraftKings to launch up to three individually branded betting apps. Those who apply to offer sports betting in Indiana must have a $500,000 cash reserve and partner with an existing land-based gaming property.
- Integrity Monitoring: Operators are required to have systems in place to identify and report unusual or suspicious betting activity to an independent integrity monitoring provider to safeguard against game-fixing and other integrity issues (68 IAC 27-4-1).
Useful Indiana Online Sports Betting Links
- List of licensed retail and mobile sportsbooks: Licensees
- Sports and leagues upon which sportsbooks may accept wagers: Approved Events
- Indiana Code on sports wagering: IC 4-38
- Rules and regulations for sports betting operators: 68 IAC 27
Indiana Sports Betting Timeline
Indiana officially legalized online sports betting on May 8, 2019, through House Enrolled Act 1015.
After the Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, Indiana moved swiftly to legalize sports betting and establish clear regulatory guidelines.
Full Timeline:
- May 8, 2019: Governor Eric Holcomb signs HB 1015, legalizing retail and online sports betting.
- August 28, 2019: Indiana Gaming Commission finalizes the initial set of sports betting regulations
- September 1, 2019: Retail sportsbooks launch at several casinos and off-track betting locations across Indiana
- October 3, 2019: Online betting begins with BetRivers and DraftKings.
- November 2019: FanDuel Sportsbook launches in Indiana
- 2020-2021: Indiana sports betting market grows amid COVID; handle exceeds $1 billion in first year
- 2022: Total handle reaches $10 billion since inception
- 2023: ESPN Bet launches; WynnBET exits the market
- 2024: Terre Haute Casino Resort opens, potentially adding new partners; Bet365 and Fanatics Sportsbook enter the Indiana sports betting market