Indiana Sports Betting: The Top Sports Betting Sites & Apps of 2020
Indiana became the 13th state to legalize sports betting back in September 2019, and were the second midwestern state to legalize it after Iowa. The Hoosier State passed its sports betting bill in May 2019.
The first sportsbook went live on September 1, with Gov. Eric Holcomb placing the first bets. Three sportsbooks debuted in the Hoosier State before the 2019 NFL season. One month later, online/mobile books began to launch, with BetRivers and DraftKings opening up shop first, followed by heavy-hitter FanDuel.
Indiana hit the $1 billion betting handle mark in July 2020, which was a sports betting among the states. The state hit it in 10-months even with the coronavirus being an issue in 2020.
Indiana Sports Betting Breakdown
On April 25, 2019, Indiana lawmakers reached an agreement in the final hours of the legislative session approving sports betting and the construction of two new casinos. On May 8, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the bill into law.
Mobile betting was almost stripped from the bill. Ben Smaltz took it off; it was restored last minute.
Since the launch of sports betting in the Hoosier State, it has exploded in popularity and has generated higher than expected income for the state. The original projections show the state bringing in $12 million to $20 million a year. However, the state has brought in much more and hit the $1 billion betting handle mark 10-months into launch.
The tax revenue collected will go to the state’s general fund for education, prisons, health care, state parks, and more.
The Indiana Gaming Commission set the regulations for sports betting in August 2019. Some regulations include operators and vendors will pay a non-refundable $100k application fee plus annual renewals. Applicants must also have $500k in cash reserves.
The IGC opted out of mandatory use of official league data but left open the option of operators and leagues to make their arrangements. Also, casinos must submit their sports wagering system.
Indiana’s location puts it in a prime sport to capitalize on the midwest sports betting market. Multiple states that border Indiana have not been as successful with launching sports betting. They are the first state in the midwest to legalize sports betting, and it is paying off.
Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati are all within a half-hour of Indiana. People from those states can head into the Hoosier State, place their bets, and head home all within an hour. With this ability, Indiana has a chance to become a huge player for sports betting in the Midwest.
Indiana Sportsbooks
| Sportsbook | Casino Partner | Mobile Betting |
|---|---|---|
| BetIndiana | Majestic Star Casino | No |
| BetMGM | Belterra Casino Resort | Yes |
| BetRivers | French Lick Resort | No |
| Caesars | Horshoe Casino Hammond | Yes |
| DraftKings | Rising Star Casino | Yes |
| FanDuel | Blue Chip Casino | Yes |
| FanDuel | Belterra Casino Resort | Yes |
| Penn Sports Interactive | Hollywood Casino | No |
| PointsBet | Hollywood Casino | Yes |
| theScore Bet | Ameristar East Chicago | No |
| Unibet Indiana | Horshoe Casino Hammond | Yes |
| William Hill | Tropicana Evansville | No |
Indiana already sees almost every major sportsbook available throughout the state. The sportsbook varies from mobile betting, retail betting, or both.
With names like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM in the state, this gives bettors options from reliable sportsbooks to use. Although big players are already in the market, smaller sportsbooks have an opportunity to enter with the friendly licensing fees and multiple casinos to partner.
Indiana has the possibility to turn into the New Jersey of the midwest.
Indiana Revenue Breakdown
| Month | Handle | Revenue | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2019 | $35,215,416 | $8,558,974 | $813,103 |
| October 2019 | $91,697,393 | $11,538,533 | $1,096,161 |
| November 2019 | $147,276,912 | $10,593,321 | $1,006,365 |
| December 2019 | $161,808,924 | $12,068,114 | $1,146,471 |
| January 2020 | $171,049,250 | $12,223,222 | $1,161,206 |
| February 2020 | $187,186,221 | $10,381,954 | $986,286 |
| March 2020 | $74,818,802 | $5,495,640 | $522,085 |
| April 2020 | $26,304,128 | $1,559,884 | $148,189 |
| May 2020 | $37,334,940 | $3,179,968 | $302,097 |
| June 2020 | $29,783,580 | $2,922,108 | $277,601 |
| July 2020 | $70,876,622 | $6,658,465 | $632,554 |
| August 2020 | $169,018,238 | $9,834,881 | $934,314 |
The sports betting numbers coming out of Indiana are very impressive. In 10-months, the Hoosier State managed to see over $1 billion wagered on sports, which is the fastest any state has seen. Launching in September 2019 was huge as they were able to launch before the NFL season began.
Even during the coronavirus pandemic, the sports betting handle was seeing over $20-30 million wagered on other sports during this time. Although the numbers were down compared to a regular sports schedule, the state of Indiana should be encouraged by this.
There is nothing but positive things for Indiana moving forward for sports betting. Given their location and neighboring states, the Hoosier State should see consistent revenue numbers as the sports calendar returns to action.
Indiana Casino Partnerships
| Casino | Partnership | Mobile Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Ameristar Casino Resort | DraftKings Sportsbook | Yes |
| Belterra Casino Resort | FanDuel Sportsbook | Yes |
| Blue Chip Casino | FanDuel Sportsbook | Yes |
| Penn National Gaming | PointsBet | Yes |
| French Lick Resort Casino | BetRivers | Yes |
| Boyd's Belterra Casino | BetMGM | Yes |
| Harrah’s Hoosier Park | Caesars Sports | No |
| Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg | Kambi | No |
| Horseshoe Hammond Casino | Caesars Sports | No |
| Horseshoe Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino | Caesars Sports | No |
| Indiana Grand Racing & Casino | Caesars Sports | No |
| Majestic Star Casino | USA Sports Gaming | No |
| Rising Star Casino Resort | BetAmerica | No |
| Tropicana Evansville Casino | William Hill | No |
| Winner’s Circle Clarksville | Caesars Sports | No |
| Winner’s Circle Indianapolis | Caesars Sports | No |
| Winner’s Circle New Haven | Caesars Sports | No |
Sports Betting Timeline in Indiana
Like most other states in the country, the road to legal sports betting in Indiana started with the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) ruling back in May of 2018. Once the PASPA ruling was overturned, Indiana became the 10th state to legalize sports betting.
H1015 was the first and really only sports betting bill that Indiana needed. The bill was actually created prior to the PASPA ruling due to the assumption that the ruling would be favorable for the states. H1015 took its first steps in January of 2018 when it had its first reading. Once February rolled around, the Indiana Senate got its first glimpse of H1015.
Once PASPA was overturned, Indiana was ready to take the next step. Both the House and Senate made their amendments to the bill, and H1015 was on its way to becoming law. Before that would happen, one issue caused a bit of a speed bump along the way, mobile betting. Mobile sports betting was part of the original bill. It was then removed from the bill, and it appeared Indiana would be without mobile betting. However, mobile managed to make its way onto the bill’s final copy.
Fast forward to April 2019 and H1015 encountered the biggest steps on its journey through legislation, two separate votes, one by the House and the other the Senate. The bill managed to make its way through without much issue, passing the Senate 37-12 and the house 59-36. Once the bill passed both chambers, it didn’t technically need the governor’s signature due to terms of the Indiana Constitution. Regardless, the bill then made its way to Governor Holcomb without any doubt that it would be signed (he expressed support of regulated sports betting multiple times).
Key Details of H1015
Here are some of the details that are part of the bill (H1015) that Governor Holcomb signed into law:
– The Indiana Gaming Commission is the regulatory body and can restrict in-play betting as deemed necessary
– Wagering on esports is prohibited
– $100,000 licensing fee with a $50,000 renewal fee
– 9.5% state gambling tax
– Part of tax revenue is allocated to problem gambling
– Minimum betting age is 21
– Gambling facilities have the option to partner with a sports betting operator as they please
Casinos That Will Offer Sports Betting in Indiana
There were three casinos that were first to the finish line in Indiana. On September 1st, Ameristar East Chicago, Hollywood Casino, and Indiana Grand all began accepting sports wagers. More than a dozen facilities in the state are eligible to begin offering sports betting.
Locations eligible to offer sports betting in Indiana:
– Ameristar East Chicago (riverboat – launched)
– Belterra Casino (riverboat – launched)
– Blue Chip Casino (riverboat – launched)
– Four Winds South Bend (Native American)
– French Lick Resort Casino (launched)
– Hollywood Casino (riverboat – launched)
– Hoosier Park (racino)
– Horseshoe Southern Indiana (riverboat)
– Horseshoe Casino (riverboat -launched)
– Indiana Grand Casino (racino – launched)
– Majestic Star Gary (riverboat)
– Majestic Star II (riverboat)
– Rising Star Casino Resort (riverboat)
– Tropicana Evansville (launched)
– Winners Circle Clarksville (launched)
– Winners Circle New Haven
Mobile/Online Sports Betting in Indiana
FanDuel Sportsbook & DraftKings Sportsbook are live, and you can play online if you are located in Indiana.
Indiana Sports Betting Market Size
Indiana has a nice location when it comes to legal sports betting. Ohio to the east is making efforts to legalize sports betting, but they still seem to be at least a year (most likely longer) away from any real progress. Michigan to the North is in the same boat as Ohio but appears to be likely to legalize sports betting next year. To the South, Kentucky is not expected to be a part of the next wave of states to legalize sports betting. Illinois to the East already has legal sports betting in place, but nothing has launched yet.
Indiana is 17th in population, so there is a fairly nice-sized market available. With Detroit just to the North, Indiana should see increased sports betting numbers at least until Michigan launches its own legal sportsbooks. The same goes for Ohio. Indiana will see some of its best numbers in the early years while bordering state’s residents cross state lines to place their bets. Having mobile wagering is key for Indiana as it attracts out-of-state bettors. Once neighboring states get with the times and legal sports betting of their own, Indiana will drop off into more of an “average” expected market size.
Indiana Sports Betting FAQ
- Is sports betting legal in Indiana?
- Can I bet in Indiana if I don’t live there?
- What types of bets are available in Indiana?
- Is there anything I cannot bet on in Indiana?
- How can I sign up in Indiana?
Yes, sports betting launched in Indiana, September 2019. Both retail and online betting is legal in the state, and you can sign up with popular sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel. Indiana sports betting has been popular since launch and has been the most profitable state in the Midwest.
Yes, you can create a sports betting account in Indiana, even if you do not live there. Enter Indiana, and you will be able to create a retail or mobile sports betting account. Sign up is easy, and you can create one and head back to your home state in minutes.
Almost every sportsbook has the same types of bets available on their site. You can wager on straight bets, totals, and moneylines, and can also bet futures, parlays, teasers, and more. They also have prop bets and live betting available in the state.
Indiana is pretty liberal in terms of the options they have with betting. College player props have been a popular ban for new states like Indiana. The Hoosier State does have live in-game betting, but there are limits to it.
To create a sports betting account, you first need to find a sportsbook you want to sign up. This could vary to what you want from your sportsbook. Once you find a sportsbook you like, you can either go to the sportsbook to create an account or sign up online if they allow mobile betting.
