Closer Look at Indiana’s Sports Betting Law
Even though sports betting is legal in Indiana as soon as September 1st, state regulators, who have yet to start accepting applications from operators, have said that the state might not be ready.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana legislators have approved a wide-ranging gambling bill that legalizes sports betting in the state and allows new casinos in Terre Haute and Gary.
- INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Governor Eric Holcomb has signed Indiana’s gaming bill into law. The new law, among other things, legalizes sports betting in the Hoosier state, including mobile gambling.
- As of right now, yes, sports betting in Indiana is legal. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed House Bill IN HB 1015 into law which made the activity legal in the state through both retail and mobile outlets. However, no venue in the state has been authorized to offer sportsbooks quite yet.
On July 1st, the Indiana Gaming Commission opens their doors to applications from casinos, horse-racing casinos and off-track betting establishment that wish to conduct sports betting.
“We want to do this as quickly as we can, but we want to do it responsibly,” said Sara Gonso Tait, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission.
Although the commission is warning that physical betting locations might not be ready, it is possible that an app could make the deadline.
So when the smoke clears and the licenses are granted, the state-approved operators will begin to take legal wagering, but what will that look like for bettors?
Sports Gambling Illegal In Indiana
What Will Indiana Betting Look Like at Launch?
On September 1st (or soon after), Indiana will open their doors to legal gambling.
We know that to bet in Indiana you will have to be over 21 years of age to bet on professional and college sporting events from within the state.
Residents will not have the opportunity to bet on high school sports, youth sporting events and e-sports as those three areas have been outlawed by the Indiana legislation.
Bettors will have the opportunity to set up accounts at the casinos and racetracks to bet online through mobile applications.
The same holds true for brick and mortar establishments where a bettor can make a traditional cash bet that results in the receipt of a ticket that can be cashed in if the bet wins.
At the physical locations, bettors will be greeted by the traditional window with a teller to place the bet or they can use a kiosk at a sports betting lounge located inside the facility.
What is the Biggest Hurdle for Operators to Meet the September 1st Opening?
Filing the paperwork with the Gaming Commission might be the easiest thing that operators do in the weeks before September 1st.
Establishments must find partnerships with vendors, train and hire staff to facilitate the wagering, and create a physical sportsbook that meets the standards of the Gaming Commission.
Operators will also have to create a workflow to accommodate the early flood of bettors that want to set up an account.
That said, in Indiana, bettors can create betting accounts either online or in brick and mortar casinos and racetracks.
Also for residents that want to be excluded from betting citing a gambling addiction, the state will offer programs where an individual can put themselves on a “no-bet” list.
The list will prevent them from opening a betting account in Indiana.
Economic Impact of Sports Betting in Indiana
Sports Gambling Law In Indianapolis
In October 2018, a California gaming research firm came to the conclusion that sports betting in Indiana will generate roughly $1.7 billion in “direct and indirect economic impact.”
The study also stated that “mobile sports betting represents more than half of the total revenue potential of the Indiana market.”
After seeing early returns from New Jersey, it is not hard to envision a day that Indiana isn’t pulling in hundreds of millions of dollars from mobile betting.
Sports Wagering and Paid Fantasy Sports
The Sports Wagering and Paid Fantasy Sports Division is responsible for administering and regulating sports wagering and paid fantasy sports in Indiana. Paid fantasy sports was established by Senate Enrolled Act 339-2016 and is contained within Indiana Code § 4-33-24. Sports Wagering is established by House Enrolled Act 1015-2019 and is contained within Indiana Code § 4-38.
The IGC will thoughtfully develop an application and regulatory framework for sports wagering. By statute, the earliest date in which sports wagering can be offered September 1, 2019 and is subject to regulatory approval. The IGC is committed to making this process transparent and to creating a strong regulatory environment that ensures the integrity of these activities in Indiana.
Relevant information will be continuously posted to our website. It is recommended that interested parties subscribe to email updates through our website in order to remain apprised of new information as it becomes available.
Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions, 317-233-0046.
If you have information related to a sports wagering integrity issue, you may email the tip line at sportswagering@igc.in.gov or call 1-800-715-3810. We will keep sources of information confidential.
Sports Wagering
List of Current Sports Wagering Licensees
Contact Information for Indiana Sportsbooks
List of Current Sports Wagering Registrants
Paid Fantasy Sports
- PFS Game Operator License Application
The cost of investigation or reinvestigation under IC 4-33-24-17 is billed at $65.00 per hour.