Updated on: Sep 12, 2024 2:16 PM ET Fact checked by: David Caraviello
Indiana sports betting became reality on September 1, 2019 when wagers started being accepted at Hollywood Casino, Indiana Grand, and Ameristar East Chicago. Online sports betting came into existence a month later in October of 2019 with the introduction of BetRivers, and today, Indiana bettors have a dozen online sportsbooks to choose from. The competitive market in Indiana is good for customers who can also bet in person at retail locations in cities like Evansville, Hammond, Anderson, and Michigan City. Unlike other states who have legalized sports betting, Hoosiers can register for sportsbooks and bet on events like the Indianapolis 500 from the comfort of their couch.
Twelve unique online sportsbooks in Indiana means you have a decision to make if you want to start betting. Below, I will provide you with the best sportsbook options in Indiana, the state’s path toward legal sports betting, and how to get started betting on sports. I also share details on which Indiana teams to wager on and responsible gambling resources.
Best Betting Sites in Indiana
No books available.
Is Sports Betting Legal In Indiana
Yes, retail and online sports betting is legal and regulated in Indiana thanks to Governor Eric Holcomb’s May 8, 2019 signing House Bill 1015. Indiana lawmakers showed the kind of decisiveness and vision that would make Colts’ running back Jonathan Taylor proud by acting quickly and legalizing sports betting a year after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision that allowed it.
Unlike their Illinois neighbors to the west who have to bet on college sports in person, Indiana sports bettors have no restrictions to worry about when betting on NCAA sports. Hoosiers will be happy to hear that betting on the next Indianapolis Colts pick in the NFL Draft is also allowed.
Indiana Quick Facts
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Launch Date: September, 2019
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Legal Betting Age: 21 years old
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Online Sports Betting: Yes
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Online Casino Sites: No
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Online Poker Sites: No
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Best Available Sportsbook: FanDuel
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Regulatory Body: Indiana Gaming Commission
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Legal online sportsbooks: 12
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College Sports Betting: Yes
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Political or entertainment betting: No
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High School sports Betting: No
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Esports betting: No
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NFL Draft: Yes
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Remote registration: Yes
Timeline of Betting Legislation & Latest News
Indiana wasted little time legalizing sports betting after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way by striking down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. One year later in May of 2019, sports betting legalization was signed into law and sportsbooks opened for business in early September just in time for the Indianapolis Colts’ 2019 season.
Additional Indiana Legal Betting Path Details
How to start betting in Indiana
Sports betting in Indiana is easy thanks to remote registration which allows bettors to register for a sportsbook and deposit money into their account whether you’re enjoying yourself in Broad Ripple or on the couch. If you’re over 21-years-old and in Indiana, simply download your favorite sports betting app on a smartphone, deposit money, verify your identity, and begin betting instantly.
Home Field Advantage
For a state with 6.8 million residents, Indiana packs a serious punch when it comes to sports betting. Indiana’s love affair with sports is represented in two of the most iconic sports films of all-time: Rudy and Hoosiers. While professional sports teams in Indianapolis have passionate followings, the Hoosier State is absolutely crazy for college basketball, and it’s a hub for major events—Indianapolis gets the Final Four every five years, the Super Bowl came to town in 2012, and of course the annual Indy 500.
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NFL - Indianapolis Colts: The Colts were something of a laughingstock when they moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984, making the playoffs in just one of their first 11 seasons. But thanks to great quarterbacks like Jim Harbaugh, Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, the Colts made the playoffs 16 times in 19 seasons between 1995 and 2014, winning one Super Bowl in the process. Even in leaner times, the expectations are high. Meanwhile no league attracts sports betting action like the NFL, making the Colts a wagering staple in Indiana.
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NBA - Indiana Pacers: The Pacers are among the NBA’s more underrated franchises, making the playoffs with regularity since joining the league in 1976, and reaching at least the Eastern Conference Finals eight times. No, they don’t have an NBA title. Yes, the glory years with Reggie Miller were long ago. But the Pacers are always competitive, they always have a passionate fan base, and they always play a key role in providing markets for sports bettors.
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WNBA - Indiana Fever: While WNBA teams aren’t usually popular bets, the addition of the sensation Caitlin Clark in the league has changed that. Since joining the Fever, Clark’s presence has increased television ratings and sportsbook handles. Indiana sports fans love to bet over on Clark’s player props.
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NCAA - Indiana Hoosiers: Did we mention that Indiana loves its college basketball? That’s especially true when it comes to the Hoosiers, even though it’s been a while since IU contended for the national crown. Since the 2011-2012 season, IU has only recorded one year under .500, but since the 2015-2016 season, the Hoosiers haven’t gotten past the 2nd round of the March Madness tournament.
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NCAA - Purdue Boilermakers: Although Purdue’s men’s basketball team has never won a National Championship, it’s had some dominant seasons including last year when the Boilermakers went 34-5, but lost to UConn in the National Championship game. The Boilermakers lost standout Zach Edey to the NBA draft, but bettors have grown accustomed to them consistently having winning seasons despite losing talent.
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NCAA - Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Notre Dame is better known as a football school, but it's women’s basketball team has two National Titles (2001 & 2018) under its belt and has played in 6 National Championship games since 2011. On the gridiron, the Fighting Irish haven’t had more than four losses in a season since 2016. Notre Dame has produced some of the NFL’s best players of all-time including Joe Montana, Paul Hornung, Jerome Bettis, and Tim Brown.
Information about finding gambling disorder treatment providers in Indiana can be found at the Indiana Gambling Commission’s (IGC) website (https://www.in.gov/igc/problemgamblinghelp/). The IGC also created a section of its website labeled “Eligibility for Free Treatment” which currently says “coming soon.” The IGC also offers a confidential problem gambling hotline (1-800-9–WITH-IT), a self assessment, and several other problem gambling resources. It’s also worth noting that every casino in Indiana allows players to voluntarily self exclude, which means they can ban themselves from that casino for a year or a lifetime.