But some states (NJ, NV) have begun regulating online poker and making it completely legal. For the rest of the country, you can play poker online but you do need to know your state’s regulations. When New Jersey online poker and Nevada online poker has become legalized, the online poker community cheered for passing such a great hurdle. Home » US Poker Laws » State Laws » Indiana Poker Laws. Relevant state code: 35-45-5-1 et seq.; 4-31-1-1 et seq. Indiana is fairly typical of states that offer a wide array of regulated gambling options in that they take a very strict approach to unregulated gambling.
- When Will Online Poker Be Legal In Indiana State
- When Will Online Poker Be Legal In Indiana Right Now
Most forms of online gambling remain criminalized in Indiana, and there are no plans to legalize and regulate online casinos or poker in the state. Indiana does not, however, consider games of skill to be “gambling” and is among the states where daily fantasy sports is explicitly legal. Online Gambling Sites That Are Legal For Indiana Residents. The main types of gambling sites are easy to understand. Online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks are all available for residents of Indiana. We have tested each type of gambling site in order to determine whether or not our users will be treated to safe and fair gaming experiences.
Sports Betting, Casinos and Poker Games Online in Indiana
While the current publicity is on the new online sportsbooks in Indiana, there are many other legal ways to gamble online.
You’ll find detailed information on all of the ways to access online gambling in Indiana on this page. There is also a look at potential future developments based on the casino and poker sites in other regulated states.
Indiana currently has legal sports betting. There are no state-regulated options for online poker or casinos. If you want to play online casino games, you do have the option of playing at sweepstakes casinos.
Legal online gambling sites in Indiana
The different ways to access Indiana online gambling sites are covered in more detail below. Here is a quick summary of your options:
- Online Sports Betting: The first mobile sportsbooks went live in October 2019. You can bet on major leagues, golf, tennis, soccer and a range of smaller sports online. These sportsbooks are partnerships between the live Indiana casinos and global betting brands.
- Betting on Horse Races: Online horse betting is made possible using ADW (advance deposit wagering) laws. You can bet via the Pari-Mutuel pools at tracks around the country at sites including TVG and Bet America.
- Daily Fantasy Sports: Brands including DraftKings and FanDuel offer real money picks contests in tournament and head-to-head format. DFS was made expressly legal in Indiana in 2016.
- Sweepstakes Casinos: Slots and limited table game options are available at casinos using sweepstakes gambling laws. Instead of playing for dollars you play for ‘Sweeps Coins’, which can be exchanged and withdrawn if you win.
- Sweepstakes Poker Sites: A single poker room, Global Poker, uses the same ‘Sweeps Coins’ format as the casinos above. You’ll play poker normally, with tournaments and cash games available.
Online sports betting in Indiana
Sports betting became legal in Indiana on the 8th of May 2019. Bill H 1015 was signed into law by Governor Eric Holcomb. This bill followed the overturning of PASPA by the Supreme Court. That passed jurisdiction over sports betting to the states – eliminating a federal ban which was in place since 1992.
Things moved fast, with the first retail sportsbooks opening in time to bet on the 2019 NFL season. Licenses are available to the 14 riverboat, land-based and tribal casino operators.
The first online sportsbook launched October of 2019. The online betting sites are joint ventures between the Indiana casinos and some of the biggest names in sports betting. Draftkings is live. Other potential sportsbooks include, FanDuel, Fox Bet, theScore and William Hill.
How Indiana online betting sites work
You’ll find a detailed guide to the bonuses, betting markets and apps for Indiana online sportsbooks here at OnlineGamblingSites.com. A quick summary is that you’ll be able to access a full ‘Vegas Style’ sportsbook from your smartphone or desktop.
You can bet on individual matches from pro and college leagues – or combine your bets into multiples like parlays or teasers. The range of sports to bet on is huge. These include futures bets, player props and many international leagues in addition to the big domestic pro sports.
When the Indiana sportsbooks go live there will be fierce competition for your bets. This will be a great time to take advantage of welcome bonus offers. Expect free bets, risk-free first bets, matched welcome bonuses, odds boost promos and more.
In-play betting will be new to online gamblers in Indiana. This adds a new dimension to sports betting, by allowing you to bet on matches which are already underway. Odds update in real time as the action unfolds. This format works well with mobile devices.
Betting on horse races in Indiana
You have three choices for betting on horses in Indiana. You can go to the racetracks at (Hoosier Park or the Indiana Grand). You can bet at the off-track betting offices (OTB) around the state – or you can bet online.
The online sites accepting horse racing bets include Bet America and TVG. These sites operate in most states using federal Advance Deposit Wagering laws. You will be able to bet on races from tracks all over the country – as well as major international horse racing fixtures.
Gambling on horse races works differently to sports betting. You’ll be entering pools, where the winning selections divide the bets placed on all horses. This is known as Pari-Mutuel betting. Bets available include win, place, show, exacta, trifecta and superfecta. There are also pools for multiple races (pick 5 / 6). If these are not won on the day, the prize pool is rolled over – sometimes creating jackpot-sized prizes.
Horse racing betting sites offer extras like databases of past races, paid past performance data and live streams of the races. You’ll be able to bet on thoroughbred, quarter horse and harness races.
Online casino gambling in Indiana: sweepstakes casinos
In other regulated states, casino gambling was made legal along with online sports betting. Indiana did not include online casino games in Bill H 1015.
There is an avenue for legal online slot games online in Indiana, under sweepstakes laws. Two sites – Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slots – operate using a work-around in most states. These sites have been welcoming players since 2016 and are growing in popularity.
Sweepstakes casinos let you play for a virtual currency called ‘Sweeps Coins’. If you win on their slots, you can exchange this for dollars, and withdraw it into your bank account.
The key missing piece is that you can’t buy Sweeps Coins. Instead, the Sweepstakes casinos give this for ‘free’ – when you buy their ‘gold coins’ (which are for fun play only). You can also get Sweeps Coins by entering social media contests, or by writing a letter to their HQ.
The slots available at these casinos are high-quality. They are loosely based on many famous titles you’ll find at live casinos – with many including progressive jackpots. There are also limited table game, bingo and video poker options.
Is Online Poker Legal in Indiana?
With no plans for online poker in Indiana based on the current legislation, the only legal option once again uses sweepstakes gaming laws.
Global Poker has become a popular site, offering Texas Hold’em tournaments and cash games at low to mid-stakes. You’ll play in Sweeps Coins, exchanging this for dollars if you want to cash out any profits.
Unlike other poker sites, which offer software downloads, Global Poker is browser based. While the game selection is limited, the action is considered ‘soft’ compared to the big international operators.
Again, you can’t directly buy Sweeps Coins. You buy gold chips, and Global Poker will give you Sweeps Coins for free.
Online gambling on DFS contests in Indiana
While many states allow Daily Fantasy Sports sites to run, Indiana is one of the few to make them explicitly legal. Bill S 339 in 2016 regulated DFS sites – a move which was welcomed by the operators.
Sites including DraftKings and FanDuel allow you to pick line-ups of players (using salary caps) and pit them against the picks of other players. You will back your picks with cash in various types of contest. These include head-to-head contests, tournaments, 50-50 games (where half the entrants get double their cash) and more complex games.
Many players at DFS sites create multiple line-ups – making this a busy format.
Online Casinos in Indiana
States including New Jersey and Pennsylvania have already approved legal online casinos alongside their sportsbooks. These are already running in both states. These casinos offer 100’s of slots – many of which are online versions of popular live casino titles. There are also live dealer casino rooms and software-based table games.
Online casinos are popular with players and generate a lot of tax revenue for the states that allow them.
Indiana already allows riverboat and land-based casinos – in addition to the tribal casino at South Bend. With the new online gambling laws allowing sports betting, there is a real chance that casino legislation could follow at some point down the line. A new bill (or extension to H 1015) would be required.
Once the laws are in place, the partnerships built to set up online sports betting are an obvious route to introducing online casinos. Many of the global betting brands active in NJ, PA and elsewhere will have experience with casino games (and poker) as well as sports.
If and when Indiana does legalize online casino games, you’ll find out about it right here at OnlineGamblingSites.com
Deposit and Payout Options in Indiana
Whether you are using an online sportsbook, DFS site or buying ‘gold chips’ at a Sweepstakes casino, you’ll need to find an appropriate banking method for your online gambling account. Sports betting fans will have the biggest range of options. DFS sites do accept credit cards and some eWallet services, while the sweepstakes casinos also welcome your credit cards.
With the Indiana Gaming Commission overseeing all the new online sportsbooks, there is no risk in making a deposit. Which method you choose for both deposits and withdrawals comes down to personal preference.
If you are already happy to use your credit cards for online purchases, this is the easiest and fastest way to deposit at an online sportsbook. Those that prefer a little more security can pay (small fees) for 3rd party online wallets that will keep their bank and the online gambling sites separated.
Here is a summary of your main deposit options:
- Credit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are universally welcomed for deposits. Some Indiana gambling sites may also welcome Discover, Amex or even Diner’s Club.
- Branded Debit Cards: Sites such as DraftKings have created a branded card in conjunction with Play+ in other states. You will need to apply for this separately. These cards work for both deposits and withdrawals.
- eCheck Bank Transfers: Simple bank transfers which are also known as ACH transfers can be used for gambling site deposits and withdrawals. You can get pre-verified (via a 3rd party called VIP preferred) which speeds up these transfers.
- Bill Pay: This deposit-only option works at major banks. You can fund your account just like you’d pay a utility bill.
- Bank Wire: For smaller deposits, wires are expensive (and slow). If you are a high roller moving a lot of money online, then this is a secure and tested alternative. A money order or cashier’s check can also be used.
- Cash: Indiana sportsbooks will allow cash payments at the cage / retail sportsbook of the license holding casino. Alternatives here include PayNearMe, which works via 7-Eleven stores.
- PayPal: This is the best-known example of an electronic wallet service. You fund an online account, which can then be used for both deposits and withdrawals. Other brands active with online gambling sites include Skrill and Neteller.
- Paper Check: This is a popular withdrawal option for those cases where your deposit method can’t facilitate withdrawals.
Indiana gambling site bonuses
The types of bonus deal available at online gambling sites vary depending on the gambling vertical and the amount of competition. For example, Global Poker host the only sweepstakes poker room – and have no need to offer generous bonuses to attract new players.
By contrast, the sports betting sites have a lot of competition – all offering similar lines on the same matches. To attract business, their promotions and bonuses need to be generous.
Sportsbook bonuses can be divided into welcome offers, and ongoing deals;
Welcome Bonuses at Online Sportsbooks: These include no-deposit free bets. They are usually small (think $10 to $25), and these offers are credited simply for registering. Other deals include a matched welcome bonus, or a risk-free first bet. Look out for offers where the losing bet is returned as cash, as this beats betting credits.
Ongoing Offers at Online Sportsbooks: Loyalty point collection schemes are used by many sportsbooks. These vary in complexity and benefits – making it worthwhile to compare them. You will also find enhanced odds (sometimes called boosts) at many books. Specials are common, including insurance for parlays or overtime reversals. Leader boards and free to enter picks contests are also used for player retention.
Horse racing sites offer welcome bonuses – usually matched to your first deposit. They also give perks like free ‘Past Performance’ data for races you bet on. DFS sites have smaller incentives for signing up, with sweepstakes casinos offering free ‘Sweeps Coins’, as well as matched bonuses.
Online gambling in Indiana: Why it pays to stick to regulated online gambling sites
Many Indiana gamblers are aware of offshore sportsbooks, casinos and poker rooms – which accept their bets. These sites are mostly based on Caribbean islands, with some in Central America. They claim to be legal in their country, with some even filing complaints to the World Trade Organization that they should be allowed to accept US players.
These sites are risky for a number of reasons.
With the UIGEA preventing US banks and financial institution from knowingly transacting with offshore gambling sites – depositing and withdrawing is difficult. Even where solutions like cryptocurrency can be found, there is no protection for players should something go wrong. Many of these sites have disappeared completely, taking player bankrolls with them. In the event of a dispute, you’d have no authority to turn to.
Now that legal online gambling options are available in Indiana and many other states, there is simply no need to take the risk with these shady offshore operators.
Online gambling in Indiana: Legal overview and timeline
Up until 1988, the original statutes – which banned all forms of gambling – were in place. The constitution was created in 1851.
1988 saw voters in Indiana approve a constitutional amendment. This allowed the Hoosier lottery to get started. A bill in 1989 then approved Pari-mutuel (pooled) betting. The first racetrack would open 5 years later.
Casino legislation was attempted at this time, though it would take several failed attempts (and lobbying by big casino business interests) to get this approved. In 1993, approval was given for the first riverboat and land-based casinos. Local referendums were required before any individual casino site could be approved. In 2007 a further act allowed the racetracks to host slot machines with further changes switching riverboat casino sites to land-based ones in 2015.
In 2018 a tribal casino opened in South Bend, IN.
Sports betting in Indiana was banned under an act called PASPA, which was overturned in 2018. Along with many other states, the IN legislature started working on a bill to regulate live and online sports betting.
The result was Bill H 1015, which was approved by the Indiana Senate on the 25th of April 2019 – and then signed (on the last possible day) by Governor Eric Holcomb on the 8th of May.
This set out a framework for licensing and taxing sports betting. The Indiana Gaming Commission handles licensing and oversight. Each of the live casinos is able to apply for licenses.
Some notable details include lower licensing fees ($100k with $50k yearly renewals) compared to other states. The tax rate is set at 9.5% (again, lower than other states). eSports wagering is excluded, as it is betting on non-pro events where the participants are under 18.
Live casinos, sportsbooks and poker rooms in Indiana
You’ll find multiple casinos in Indiana. These include the land-based casino at French Lick, Tribal casino at South Bend, two racetrack-casinos and 10 riverboat casinos.
Riverboat Casinos in Indiana:
- Ameristar, East Chicago
- Belterra, Florence
- Blue Chip Casino, Michigan City
- Hollywood Casino, Lawrenceburg
- Horseshoe Southern Indiana, Elizabeth
- Horseshoe Casino, Hammond
- Majestic Star, Gary
- Majestic Star 2, Gary
- Rising Star, Rising Sun
- Tropicana, Evansville
Other Casinos in Indiana:
When Will Online Poker Be Legal In Indiana State
- Hoosier Park, Anderson (Racino)
- Indiana Grand, Shelbyville (Racino)
- French Lick Casino, French Lick (Land Based)
- Four Winds Casino, South Bend (Tribal)
At the time of writing there are a handful of retail sportsbooks open. These include Ameristar, Blue Chip, Hollywood Casino, Horseshoe (Hammond location) and the Indiana Grand. More are expected to open before the end of 2019.
10 casinos have live poker rooms. These vary in size from just a few tables to 30+ tables. National tournament tours including the highland poker tour and WSOP-circuit visit Indiana – in addition to regular tournament schedules and special events in-state.
Live Poker Rooms in Indiana:
- Ameristar Casino
- Blue Chip Casino
- Hollywood Casino
- Horseshoe Southern Indiana
- Horseshoe Hammond
- Majestic Star Casino
- Belterra Casino
- Four Winds South Bend
- Indiana Grand
- Tropicana Casino
Betting on horses can be done via simulcast at the two racetracks. There are also 3 Off Track Betting offices in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Merrillville.
Other states with legal online gambling
Online gambling in Indiana: Wrapping up
There are more options to gamble online legally in Indiana than many people would expect. For now, the spotlight is on the new online and retail sportsbooks. These started in 2019 and offer a full range of pro sports betting opportunities – as well as innovations like in-play betting.
These books join existing sites which allowed real money gambling on DFS picks contests, and horse racing bets. Sweepstakes gambling sites complete the picture. Despite their work-around using sweepstakes gambling laws, these casinos and the single poker room are becoming popular on a national level.
Whichever type of online gambling you prefer, it makes sense to stick to the regulated US sites. Offshore gambling sites have no oversight. While you might enjoy the games, you have no recourse in the event of problems – or even the sites disappearing overnight.
Before you bet, remember that the bonuses and ongoing promotions at Indiana online gambling sites vary considerably. It can be worthwhile taking the time to compare not only the offers, but the terms and conditions for each site before you deposit.
Much like some of the other states you read about, Indiana is probably somewhere on middle ground when it comes to offering gambling to its residents. On the one hand it isn’t heavily into disapproving the pastime outright, and offers a fair numbers of casino gaming and poker opportunities on the ground, but on the other hand, its law books are pretty strict when it comes to anything unregulated. From this landscape has developed thousands of poker fans from Indiana who enjoy playing the game and actively seek out industry-reputable sites to play at.
This page examines how to play online poker in Indiana, whether Indiana residents are welcome at online poker sites, whether online poker is legal in Indiana, a broad view of Indiana poker laws, legal online poker sites that accept Indiana residents and the chances of regulating the poker industry. In other words, we cover everything you need to know about legal online poker in Indiana.
How To Play Legal Online Poker In Indiana
Even if you’re fairly new to the world of poker, you’ll soon understand that the act of actually opening an account at an online poker room and starting to play is the same if you were playing online poker in Indiana or any other state.
What you do need to take into account , however, is that it’s not wise to open an account at just any poker room. Check out this page for examples of online poker rooms that not only serve Indiana residents, but are also noted for their trustworthiness, industry reputation and high levels of security.
Are There Legal Online Poker Sites That Accept Indiana residents?
Yes. Indiana residents are welcome at a surprisingly large number of online poker sites. The final say in whether or not you are welcome as a resident of the Hoosier State comes down to the software provider of the site, and many of the top brands in the industry have absolutely no problem with you playing there. Just a word of caution: make sure that you meet the legal gambling age for Indiana – 18.
Helpful Pages: List Of Online Poker Sites For USA Players
Is Online Poker Legal in Indiana?
Here’s something strange: Indiana is one of the only states in the US which actually mentions online gambling in its law books. BUT, the law only addresses those who operate betting sites, and makes no reference to the legalities of the issue from the player’s point of view. As such, there is nothing that relates to the do’s and don’ts of online poker playing in Indiana legislation, a fact that has spurned many to try out the wide range of online poker options open to Indiana residents. Adding to the stampede is the fact that online poker rooms never divulge their players’ private information to the authorities or other third party.
Helpful Article: Is poker legal for US players?
What Do The Online Poker Laws In Indiana Say?
Indiana gambling law essentially makes it ok to play the game at commercial casinos and at charity events, even for real money. They’re not too happy about unregulated poker games, even home events. Gambling laws in Indiana are governed by state code 35-45-5-1 et seq. and make no mention of online poker from a player’s perspective. Go to the homepage of OnlinePokerLaws.com to read more about the laws in general.
Regulation Of Legal Online Poker In Indiana
The conservative state of Indiana won’t be rushing out to embrace the regulation of online poker or gambling at its own initiative any time soon, but on the other hand, it seems that the state may be open to the effects of outside pressure and go with the flow if its neighbors start the process of regulation. Until such time, residents of this state hoping to find quality poker rooms manage to find many independently regulated sits which maintain the highest levels of security and privacy.
Best Online Poker Sites That Accept Indiana Residents
An online poker room which accepts players from Indiana will undoubtedly be one which is powered by the biggest names in the industry, which has a reputation to protect and which therefore makes no compromises when it comes to fair gaming, transparency, responsible gambling and fast payouts. Good customer service is also a priority to these sites.
When Will Online Poker Be Legal In Indiana Right Now
Bovada Poker, licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, is a fully legal and legitimate online poker site and has been in operation and offering services to players based in the United States for a number of years.
Bovada Poker has one of the most generous welcome bonuses of any online poker site offering their services to Indiana players, and treats all first timers to a welcome bonus of up to $1,000 when they make their first deposit at the site.
Players can also reap an additional bonus by inviting a friend to play at Bovada Poker. Any player based in Indiana that is seeking an award winning, fair and safe poker site with plenty of bonuses would do well to play at Bovada Poker.
Final Thought About The Indiana Online Poker Laws
Indiana residents make up a strong following of poker fans from the US as a whole, enjoying the game at commercial casinos in the state and online poker rooms in cyberspace. The range of sites open to them continues to grow, with one of the main attractions being top rewards through welcome bonuses, guaranteed jackpots and loyalty points. Throw in the convenience factor of playing poker online, and it’s easy to understand the appeal of internet poker to Indiana residents.