Thousands Flock to Terre Haute As $300M Indiana Casino Opens
Steve Bittenbender - Apr 5, 2024
Indiana is one of the states that quickly embraced the potential of online sports betting. The first Indiana betting sites went live in October 2019, and the sports bettors of the Hoosier State have been enjoying sports wagering ever since.
There are now more than a dozen options when you want to enjoy Indiana sports betting. The list of online Indiana sportsbooks operating here includes all the leading names in the industry. What can you expect when you visit each one?
Indiana sports betting is taking the state by storm. Here is a quick snapshot of everything you need to know.
🏈 Is Indiana Sports Betting Legal? | Yes, Indiana sports betting is legal. |
📰 Latest News: | Fanatics Sportsbook is LIVE in Indiana |
⚖ Who Regulates Indiana Sports Betting? | Indiana Gaming Commission |
🔞 Legal IN Betting Age: | 21+ |
📲 Legal Indiana Sportsbooks: | 19 |
📞 Problem Gambling? | 1-800-9-WITH-IT |
✅ Last Verified: | November 6, 2024 |
If Indiana betting apps aren't your preference, the following casinos have a tie-up with an online sportsbook that you can bet at in person.
Indiana online casinos are not legal yet, so if you want to take advantage of casino games, you will have to do so in person.
Yes, sports betting is legal in Indiana. The decision to make Indiana sports betting legal was taken in May 2019 - and within a few months, both online and retail sportsbooks were up and running.
Given that each land-based casino can partner with up to three online operators, there is room for many more brands to launch under license from the Indiana Gaming Commission, which regulates online sports betting here.
There are 13 legal online sportsbooks to choose from in Indiana:
ESPN BET Indiana is live as of November 14. Launched from the renowned sports media giant, ESPN, ESPN BET will quickly establishes itself as a formidable player in the sports betting market. ESPN BET will be separate from the ESPN app, and you will be able to bet parlays, quick bets, featured bets, and Pat McAfee Parlay Specials.
The Fanatics Indiana sportsbook is the newest member in the sports betting scene. The renown apparel store has made an immediate impact in the sports betting world.
Fanatics has a unique betting experience and an easy to use interface. It is one of our top recommendations to try today.
If you want as broad a choice as possible while enjoying sports betting in Indiana, this is a destination well worth checking out. BetMGM Indiana offers an enormous variety of sports betting options. Naturally, you'll have every chance to wager on football, baseball, basketball and hockey; but there are plenty of markets on internationally popular sports too. You should also find niche events here. BetMGM's profile in Indiana is boosted by its partnerships with the MLB, NHL and NBC sports.
Betway Indiana Sportsbook brings a dynamic betting experience to the Hoosier State. With a diverse range of sports, including football, baseball, basketball, and hockey, Betway stands out for its international market offerings and coverage of niche events. The user-friendly app, available on both iPhones and Androids, enhances accessibility, while boosted odds and exciting promotions add extra value. Join Betway Indiana to elevate your sports betting journey with a trusted and innovative platform.
The Bet365 Indiana Sportsbook began with an online sportsbook serving New Jersey, and now offers sports wagering in Colorado, Virginia, Ohio and Iowa as well. There are currently two welcome offers you can choose from: Bet $5 and get $150 in Bonus Bets, or a $1,000 First Bet Safety Net. If you're a fan of international or more niche sports, you'll find a lot of options on Bet365.
FanDuel is one of the premier Indiana betting sites by its time building brand awareness with its Daily Fantasy Sports product. FanDuel's long list of organizations with which it is an official betting partner includes the Indianapolis Colts, as well as the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. This is an outstanding sportsbook for bettors of all levels of expertise, with a huge choice of features delivered with a sumptuous level of user experience.
Month after month, the DraftKings online sportsbook features at or near the top of the table for handle and revenue in Indiana. This comes as no surprise given the excellence of the product - and the fact that it had a head start with its years offering Daily Fantasy Sports games. DraftKings has partnerships with, among others, the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, and offers a top-class all-round product. Its wide range of sports betting markets and promos, allied to a low minimum deposit of $5, enable it to appeal to a broad spectrum of customers, including new sports bettors.
There's plenty going on at the BetRivers sportsbook for fans who enjoy sports betting in Indiana, helped by the fact that its parent company, Rush Street Interactive, has its HQ just over the border in Chicago. If you enjoy regular bonuses, this is the place for you - there are daily odds boosts, plenty of free bet insurance deals on parlays, and a rewards program commonly hailed as one of the best in the business. BetRivers has a partnership with soccer team Indy Eleven, and is also a sports betting partner of Hooters.
The Caesars Indiana sportsbook is one of many operators that offers you the chance to get your stake back if your first bet loses. These have traditionally been known as risk-free bets, but that's not quite accurate because you have to place your stake in the first place. In this instance, though, the maximum stake of that first bet is higher than at rival Indiana sportsbooks, with a first stake of up to $1,000 coming back to you as site credit if you're on a loser. The Caesars sportsbook, which has a partnership with the Indianapolis Colts, follows up with plenty of fun in the form of frequent bonuses and promos.
There is absolutely nothing in Indiana sports betting law that says you must restrict yourself to a single sports wagering account. Indeed, there are several advantages to opening more than one, including:
All the top online sports betting sites offer enticing welcome bonuses. You can take advantage of any promo code you are given and enjoy the benefits of each one as you become familiar with a new sportsbook.
There will be variations between the odds on various events. If you have more than one account, you can be sure you are getting the best price when you place your bet.
You may prefer to use a sportsbook that has a smaller range of markets – but then want to place a bet on a less mainstream sport. By opening multiple accounts, you maximize the chance that you will find the event you are looking for.
As with any purchasing decision, you want to be sure you have tried various options before deciding on your favorite. By opening more than one account, you can make your final choice with confidence.
The competition for sports betting custom in the Hoosier State is intense, and operators will use various methods to tempt you. As a result, every sportsbook will have an attractive Indiana Sportsbook Promos, that gives you a slice of extra value when you sign up – and there should be more offers to follow.
Risk-free bets are a popular way of attracting new online bettors. If your first wager is a winner, you get a return as normal. But if it loses, your stake is refunded, either as free bets or site credit. Many sportsbooks have moved away from describing such bets as “risk-free” – because while you may get a second chance, you don't actually get your money back.
Another way by which sportsbooks offer extra value to new Indiana bettors is by enhancing your initial stake. In the case of a deposit match, however much you place in your account is matched by the sportsbook – instantly doubling the funds at your disposal. This is particularly useful if there are some major sporting events coming up that you want to bet on.
Once you have signed up for an account, a sportsbook will want to incentivize you to get others to join you. If you use a unique link to invite one of your friends to register as a customer, and they then sign up and start online betting, you should both get a bonus in the form of free bets.
An odds boost enhances the price about a particular result, meaning that your payout is similarly increased. The top Indiana sportsbooks offer odds boosts on a regular basis – look out for a special section dedicated to boosts. Ideally, you should see the original price so that you can work out how much extra you might win.
Parlays are incredibly popular with Indiana sports bettors – indeed, with sports betting fans around the world. If you get all your picks right, then for a single stake you can pick up a serious return. But if just one loses, you get nothing. However, with parlay insurance you might get your stake back in the form of free bets or site credit.
Many modern bettors enjoy the ease and convenience of placing sports wagers through a mobile device. The top Indiana sports betting sites cater for this desire with a host of outstanding Indiana betting apps.
You should be able to place bets through an iPhone or an Android, and to enjoy all the features and bonuses that are available at any Indiana sports betting site. The screen area may be much smaller than on a computer; but the best Indiana sportsbooks are adept at organizing their content to maximize the use of that space while delivering a great user experience.
Of course, many bettors still enjoy the experience of wagering at retail sportsbooks. These tend to be located at casinos or racetracks, so you are likely to be surrounded by like-minded sports betting enthusiasts, which adds to the ambience.
However, the advantage of mobile sports betting is that you don’t have to travel to such a location to use one of the retail sportsbooks in the Hoosier State. Whether you are at home, at work, out with friends, or travelling, as long as you can get a signal on your device you can place your bets quickly and easily.
More experienced Indiana bettors will head for the Indiana sportsbooks with the most competitive odds. This can vary from sport to sport, and online betting operators are always tinkering with their algorithms to make sure they are at the cutting edge of value. However, the following sportsbooks are known to be among those offering the best odds on a regular basis:
You may be a casual bettor who merely wants to place an occasional wager on the weekend’s football or NBA action. However, as you become more comfortable with the ebbs and flows of sports betting, you may wish to deploy some more sophisticated strategies.
You should always keep your wagering under control, and not stake more than you can afford. But if you are keen to take your sports betting up a level, these are some of the systems you can try.
This describes the activity of comparing various Indiana sportsbooks to find the best odds for the wager you want to place. Let’s say you believe the Indiana Pacers will win their next NBA match and they are +110 on the moneyline at most operators. If you find an Indiana sports betting site offering +120, that's where you want to play.
Matched betting is the term given to a strategy whereby bettors use free bets and other incentives to cover every outcome at a sports event, thus guaranteeing a return. It relies on your knowledge of the promos available that deliver free bets to enable you to wager on all the possible results.
Arbitrage betting, or “arbing”, takes advantage of the fact that different sportsbooks carry varying odds on the same market. If you notice, for instance, that one player in a tennis match is +110 on the moneyline with one operator, and his opponent is +110 with another, you can bet the same stake on both safe in the knowledge that whoever wins, you will make a profit.
Online sports betting relies on great software to make it possible for people to place wagers on websites and sports betting apps. There are many outstanding providers of software in various forms to Indiana online sportsbooks and other jurisdictions that have made online sports betting legal. Sportsbooks, and their technical partners, invest heavily to create great online sports wagering experiences. Some of the leading software providers with a presence in Indiana are as follows.
This is one of the biggest names in sports betting software. The Kambi platform is at the heart of sportsbooks across the world, and among the operators that rely on it are BetRivers and Barstool.
Another powerhouse with experience of driving sports betting platforms across Europe and, increasingly, the United States. DraftKings was so impressed with its services that it bought the company in 2020.
This is a provider of software with a strong focus on data security and responsible gambling. FanDuel announced a partnership with Gamban to ensure its customers had free access to blocking software so that they could self-exclude successfully.
Football is the most popular sport across the United States, in terms of the number of people who follow it and the levels of betting on it. The presence in Indianapolis of the Colts of the NFL ensures a high level of interest in wagering on the sport. Football lends itself well to point spreads and props, while the breaks in play give you a chance to place live bets. And even if the Colts don’t make the Super Bowl this time, there will be plenty of wagers placed on the biggest game of the year.
The Indiana Pacers represent the Hoosier State in the NBA, which ensures a solid level of betting on basketball here. The Pacers are still seeking a first NBA Finals win, but command a loyal crowd and enjoy particularly keen rivalries with the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks. Basketball, with its high scoring and plentiful breaks in play, lends itself well to totals betting and live wagering. After football, it tends to be the sport that attracts the highest level of investment among bettors.
It’s surprising that Indiana is not home to a major league baseball team. There are plenty of good minor league sides here but, for top-level action, fans of America’s game have to look elsewhere. The proximity of the Chicago White Sox and Cubs means they get plenty of support – and betting interest – in the north of the state, while many in the south and east pull for the Cincinnati Reds. And there will always be a serious amount of betting on the World Series.
With no NHL franchise located in the state, Indiana hockey fans tend to pull for nearby teams including the Chicago Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Indy Fuel, who are affiliated to the Blackhawks, fly the minor league flag within the state. Hockey draws a steady level of wagering interest, and many Indiana betting sites offer the opportunity to bet on top European leagues, as well as the NHL.
Indiana is home to some famous names in the realm of college sports. They include the Indiana Hoosiers, the Purdue Boilermakers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. As a result, there is a strong appetite for wagering on college football and other sports in the Hoosier State. However, while betting on college events is allowed here, college player proposition betting is not permitted.
The Colts have been based in Indianapolis since 1984, following a relocation from Baltimore. Led by the great Peyton Manning, they won the 2006 Super Bowl and have been playoff regulars ever since, without ever repeating that feat. Nevertheless, they command significant support across the Hoosier State and the huge popularity of football ensures there will always be high levels of betting on Colts games.
Notre Dame is represented in a host of sports, but it’s best known for the exploits of its football team. The Fighting Irish have been in action since 1887, have been the No.1-ranked team on several occasions, and boast the oldest marching band in the nation. No fewer than 12 Notre Dame football alumni have made it to the NFL Hall of Fame – a record second only to USC. This is a team with serious history, and serious support when they go into action.
The Indiana Hoosiers, of Indiana University Bloomington, are one of the most popular sports programs among fans in the state. They have won 24 NCAA national championships and are probably best known for their basketball prowess, with five national titles. However, with 24 varsity teams in action, there is plenty of compelling action for Hoosiers fans to watch and wager on.
Basketball and football are the two biggest sports for the Boilermakers and their fans. The men’s basketball has been ranked No.1 in the nation twice in recent years, including in December 2022, and the team made it to the Sweet Sixteen in March Madness that year. The football team has appeared in 21 Bowl games, and the franchise is known as the Cradle of Quarterbacks, having sent out a steady stream of QBs who shone in the NFL.
The Pacers have never won the NBA Finals, despite some close calls – especially when they had Hall of Famer Reggie Miller in the line-up. But hope springs eternal, and the Pacers draw serious support from hoops fans across Indiana. Basketball is a sport that generates numerous betting opportunities, meaning there will always be plenty of options for wagering on the Pacers with Indiana betting sites.
Top sports teams are more willing these days to enter into commercial agreements with sports betting companies. It represents another lucrative income stream for the sport in question, while the partner receives the benefit of an enhanced profile that enables it to introduce itself to fans of that team. Both the big-four representatives in Indiana have generated deals with sports betting partners:
Indianapolis Colts: PointsBet, Caesars, WynnBET, FanDuel
Indiana Pacers: PointsBet, DraftKings
As you can see, the Indiana sports betting scene is a mature, buoyant market that is home to some of the leading online sportsbooks available in North America today. So how do you choose the best one, or ones, for you? There are several factors that can help you to make that choice.
Sports betting has been legal in Indiana since 2019, so there has been plenty of time for visitors to Indiana sportsbooks to make their opinions known. Reviews of websites and sports betting apps can be found in a host of places online, left by people in Indiana and elsewhere. We will also carry expert reviews of all legal Indiana sports betting sites.
There are many ways of placing a sports bet – and your chosen online sportsbook should make it easy for you to use any of them. The websites and apps available in the Indiana market deliver a huge range of wagering options when you want to get involved with your favorite sports and leagues, but check to make sure that your preferred method is on the coupon.
For many long-time bettors, a huge part of the online gambling experience is wrapped up in getting the best odds possible for a particular wager. Indiana sportsbooks that offer the most competitive odds will benefit from the attentions of such customers. The ability to compare odds in different places to find favorable betting lines is one persuasive reason in favor of opening more than one sports betting account.
Operators licensed by the Indiana Gaming Commission vie for your custom in many ways – and one of the most visible is by offering welcome bonuses and promos, for which you may need a promo code. You get bonuses so that you enjoy your initial experience of wagering at a sportsbook and, the operator hopes, so that you continue to do so. Every sportsbook we recommend will have a welcome bonus – and the top sites follow it with plenty of regular boosts and offers.
You should be able to place your wagers quickly and easily – and woe betide any operator that makes it difficult. The quality of user interface is a key factor in deciding where you place your bets. Whether you play through your desktop, or on one of the many excellent sports betting apps available in Indiana, the user interface has a crucial role in persuading you to sign up.
If you want to ask a question, or report a problem, there should be a choice of ways of contacting a sportsbook’s customer support team. They might include a toll-free phone number, a 24/7 live chat facility, an email address, or even an active social media feed. You could also find a detailed list of FAQs that contains the information you need.
Among all the bonuses and promos you might be offered, the first is likely to be the most enticing. Welcome bonuses should deliver real value, and make your initial wagering experience a lot of fun. Make sure you sign up with a sportsbook with an offer that suits the way you like to play – and be sure to check the terms so you get maximum benefit.
Get to know the different rules that apply at various sportsbooks – it might be a deciding factor in your choice of a favorite. For instance, the minimum number of legs in a parlay before the insurance kicks in may be three or four; there may be different playthrough requirements on your welcome promo; and there may be a minimum odds limit on a bonus bet. These can vary between operators.
Choosing the right sportsbook for you is like any buying decision – you don’t necessarily want to opt for the first one you come across without shopping around. So, just as you would when you test-drive a car before buying it, it’s worth trying out a few online sportsbooks to see which one feels most comfortable for you.
Get to know the different rules that apply at various sportsbooks – it might be a deciding factor in your choice of a favorite. For instance, the minimum number of legs in a parlay before the insurance kicks in may be three or four; there may be different playthrough requirements on your welcome promo; and there may be a minimum odds limit on a bonus bet. These can vary between operators.
The range of banking methods at your chosen sportsbook should be extensive. You should be able to deposit using options such as debit and credit cards, online banking, e-wallets and prepaid cards, and more. Your financial transactions should be safe at all sportsbooks licensed by the Indiana Gaming Commission.
PayPal | Instant Deposit | 1-5 Day(s) Withdrawal |
Venmo | Instant Deposit | 2-5 Day(s) Withdrawal |
Online Banking | Instant Deposit | 3-7 Days Withdrawal |
Play+ Card | Instant Deposit | 1-5 Day(s) Withdrawal |
All deposit methods should be virtually instant. When it comes to withdrawals, however, there can be large variations. Cash and PayPal are the quickest, while online banking could take several working days, and a check in the mail can be more than a week.
Despite the growing popularity of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, there are currently no Indiana sports betting operators that accept this as a method of payment. Barstool has opened its virtual doors to crypto deposits in other states, but has not yet extended this facility to Indiana.
Venmo is a social payment app that enables you to exchange funds with businesses and individuals. Indiana sports bettors have this option available at sportsbooks including FanDuel and DraftKings.
Indiana took the decision to legalize Daily Fantasy Sports in March 2016. This clarified the legal gray area in which DFS firms had previously been operating. As a result, leading DFS operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings were able to offer their daily games to sports fans in the Hoosier State.
Indiana is home to two live horse racing tracks; Hoosier Park hosts harness racing, while thoroughbred racing takes place at Horseshoe Indianapolis. You can bet at both venues on racing at other tracks, while there are also casino facilities on site. You can also wager online on horse racing at sites such as TVG.
Under federal law, no licensed sportsbook is allowed to take wagers on any political event. You may see odds quoted, but these are purely indicative. Betting on any local, national and international elections is strictly forbidden.
Indiana is one of few states where bettors are allowed to place wagers on the Academy Awards. However, entertainment bets are limited by law in the state. If there is an event you want to put money on, check with your sportsbook to see if you are allowed.
Vast audiences tune in to watch esports events, and the lucrative potential of running betting markets on them has not gone unnoticed by sportsbooks. However, esports were specifically excluded by the 2019 sports betting bill. As a result, you cannot bet on esports games in Indiana.
Every Indiana sportsbook currently operating legally in the state has a license from the Indiana Gaming Commission. This is the body with the responsibility to regulate all forms of gambling in the state. Its duties include:
Retail and online sports betting operators in Indiana are charged a tax rate of 9.5 per cent on their revenues. This ranks as a reasonably generous tax rate - certainly compared to the 51 per cent imposed in New York - although companies with a license have to pay an annual fee of $50,000 to renew that license.
Indiana has one of the most robust and successful sports betting markets in the United States. At $10billion, its total revenue is the sixth highest among states with legal sports betting, and in that time nearly $83million has been raised in taxes.
The Hoosier State is home to many of the finest online sports wagering sites and apps in the nation, with a host of betting options for its residents to enjoy.
The next step may be for the state to legalize online casino play. Indiana may become the latest jurisdiction to license operators to offer slot games, table games and online poker.
All sportsbooks licensed by the Indiana Gaming Commission have a duty to encourage responsible gambling at all times. Even if you view wagering on sports as a fun leisure activity, you should never stake more than you are comfortable with.
Every website and app should carry a responsible gambling section that offers advice on keeping your betting under control at all times.
There should also be direct links to specialist agencies that can offer expert assistance and practical help. They include the Indiana Problem Gambling Help website and the state’s branch of the Council on Problem Gambling.
Author
The IndianaBets.com Staff is comprised of seasoned sports betting and iGaming experts, writers, analysts, and editors. Our content is based on experience, data, and analytical insights to provide the best reviews of all things iGaming in Indiana.