Indiana Online Gambling
Indiana online gambling is a split legal picture: online sports betting and daily fantasy sports are fully legal and regulated, but online casinos and online poker are not. Sports betting launched on October 3, 2019 — making Indiana one of the first handful of states to flip the switch after the federal PASPA ruling — and the state now hosts 11 licensed mobile sportsbooks taxed at a nationally low 9.5% of adjusted gross revenue. Land-based gambling is robust: 12 commercial casinos plus two racinos operate across the state under Indiana Gaming Commission oversight, anchored by Hard Rock Northern Indiana in Gary and Horseshoe Hammond on the Chicago-area border.
If you’re 21 or older and physically inside Indiana, you can legally bet on the Colts, Pacers, or Indy 500 from your phone; if you want online slots or a real-money poker table, you’ll need to wait on the legislature or cross a state line.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Indiana?
Online sports betting and paid daily fantasy sports are legal in Indiana; online casino games and online poker are not. Retail sports betting launched on September 1, 2019 after Governor Eric Holcomb signed House Enrolled Act 1015, with online and mobile betting following on October 3, 2019 — making Indiana the third state to offer full-scale mobile sports betting (behind New Jersey and Pennsylvania) and the first in the Midwest. Everything runs through the Indiana Gaming Commission, which also regulates the state’s 12 commercial casinos, two racinos, charitable gaming, and paid fantasy sports.
Land-based gambling has been legal in Indiana for much longer. Riverboat casinos were authorized in 1993 and opened along Lake Michigan and the Ohio River starting in 1995, pari-mutuel horse racing dates to 1994, and the two racinos (Hoosier Park and the racino now called Horseshoe Indianapolis) added slots and table games starting in 2008. The most recent major structural change came in 2015, when the legislature allowed riverboats to move off the water and onto adjacent land — a change that ultimately produced the 2019 Caesars Southern Indiana land-based complex and the 2021 Hard Rock Northern Indiana in Gary.
- Minimum age: 21 for sports betting and all casino gambling. 18 for the Hoosier Lottery, charity bingo, pari-mutuel horse racing, and paid fantasy sports.
- Regulator: Indiana Gaming Commission, which oversees sports wagering, commercial casinos, racinos, and paid fantasy sports.
- Geofencing: Sportsbook apps use GPS to confirm you’re physically inside Indiana. Border bettors in Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati run into verification problems the moment they cross the state line.
- In-person registration: Not required. Indiana has allowed remote signup from day one — a big reason the state’s mobile market scaled faster than Illinois.
- College betting: Allowed on in-state programs (Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame, Butler). Player props on college athletes were restricted statewide in 2024 following an NCAA lobbying push.
Best Indiana Sports Betting Apps (2026)
DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and BetRivers are the five highest-rated sportsbook apps in Indiana for 2026, with DraftKings and FanDuel consistently trading the #1 handle position in monthly Indiana Gaming Commission reports. All 11 licensed Indiana operators cover Colts, Pacers, Fever, and Indy 500 markets with full prop menus, same-game parlays, and live in-play betting. Our rankings weight odds quality, app stability, payout speed, and Indiana-specific features.
Beyond the top five, Indiana also offers Hard Rock Bet, Fanatics, bet365, Bally Bet, theScore Bet (the former ESPN BET, rebranded in December 2025 after Penn Entertainment exited the ESPN licensing deal), and SBK Sportsbook. That makes 11 licensed mobile operators total — more choice than most Midwest states, and notably more than Illinois or Ohio offered in their respective launch years.
Chicago-market effect
Three of Indiana’s most profitable gambling venues — Horseshoe Hammond, Ameristar East Chicago, and Hard Rock Northern Indiana in Gary — sit within a 30-minute drive of downtown Chicago. Because Illinois still requires in-person signup at some operators and runs a 15%–40% graduated sports betting tax rate, Indiana’s casinos have spent years quietly absorbing Illinois tourism and betting dollars. Hard Rock Northern Indiana has been the state’s top-grossing casino every month since shortly after it opened.
Indiana Sports Betting Bonuses & Promos
Indiana bettors can claim first-bet safety-net offers worth up to $1,500 at the top operators, with smaller “bet $5, get $X” welcome bonuses available at several apps. Welcome bonuses in Indiana follow the same structure as other regulated states — your eligibility is tied to GPS confirmation that you’re inside Indiana at the moment of signup and first wager. Below is a snapshot of current welcome offers across the top five sportsbooks, current as of April 2026 (T&Cs apply to all).
Is Online Casino Legal in Indiana?
No — online casino gaming (iGaming) is not currently legal in Indiana. There is no licensed, regulated path to play real-money online slots, blackjack, roulette, or live-dealer games from within the state. Anyone advertising “Indiana online casinos” is either referring to offshore operators that are not licensed in any U.S. jurisdiction (we do not recommend them under any circumstances) or to sweepstakes-style social casinos, which are themselves about to be prohibited in Indiana — see the HB 1052 note below.
There is no active 2026 Indiana bill that would legalize online casino gaming. The most recent legalization attempt — House Bill 1432 in the 2025 session — did not advance, and the Indiana Gaming Commission has since commissioned a Spectrum Gaming Group market analysis to study prospective iGaming, but no legislation has moved in the 2026 session. Legal options for slots and table games in Indiana remain entirely in-person: the 12 commercial casinos and two racinos listed below.
HB 1052: Indiana’s Sweepstakes-Casino Ban
On March 12, 2026, Governor Mike Braun signed House Bill 1052 into law. The bill prohibits internet-based “sweepstakes games” — defined in the statute as games accessible on a phone, computer, or similar device that use a dual-currency or multi-currency system to allow players to exchange currency for cash prizes while simulating lottery, slot, video poker, table-game, bingo, or sports-wagering products. The prohibition takes effect July 1, 2026, giving operators a roughly 75-day wind-down window to either alter their offerings for Indiana residents or geofence the state out entirely.
HB 1052 is a civil statute, not a criminal one: violations carry civil penalties of up to $100,000 per operator or individual who knowingly conducts a sweepstakes game in Indiana. Unlike parallel 2025 bans in states like California (AB 831) and New York (S5935), HB 1052 does not expressly extend liability to payment processors, platform providers, financial institutions, or marketing affiliates — the prohibition is aimed at the operators themselves. Indiana is the seventh state overall, and the first in 2026, to enact this kind of dual-currency-sweepstakes ban; comparable laws were signed in Connecticut, Montana, California, New Jersey, and New York during 2025.
What the bill does not do is create a new legal path for online casinos, online poker, or any other form of real-money iGaming. It closes a specific grey-market category. If you see sweepstakes-style casino sites advertising in Indiana after July 1, 2026, they are operating against state law.
What you can do today
If online slots and tables are what you’re after, your legal options in Indiana right now are in-person: drive to any of the 12 commercial casinos or two racinos listed below. For a broader look at where real-money online casinos are currently legal, see our online casino guide.
Is Online Poker Legal in Indiana?
No — online poker is not legal in Indiana, and there is no active 2026 bill that would change that. HB 1052 (signed March 2026) is a sweepstakes-casino ban, not an online-gaming legalization measure, and the 2025 HB 1432 attempt to legalize interactive gaming did not advance. Hoosiers who want to play poker continue to rely on the state’s licensed live card rooms. The biggest and best are at Horseshoe Hammond (which hosts the WSOP Circuit) and the 20-table World Series of Poker Room at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, opened as part of the property’s $33.7 million 2022 expansion.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Indiana
Daily fantasy sports are fully legal and regulated in Indiana. Governor Mike Pence signed Senate Enrolled Act 339 into law in March 2016, making Indiana one of the first states to explicitly legalize and license paid fantasy contests. The Indiana Gaming Commission’s Paid Fantasy Sports Division handles licensing; operators pay a $50,000 application fee and a $5,000 annual renewal, and must submit to an annual third-party audit. Contests based on college or high school sports are prohibited by statute.
- DraftKings DFS — the dominant operator in Indiana, with daily NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, UFC, and Formula 1 contests.
- FanDuel Fantasy — the other half of the DFS duopoly, known for friendlier beginner contests and deeper soccer and WNBA menus.
- PrizePicks — pick’em-style fantasy legal in Indiana under paid fantasy rules, though ongoing regulatory challenges in other states make it worth watching.
- Underdog Fantasy — best-ball drafts and pick’em contests, growing fast among NFL players.
- Minimum age: 18+ for DFS in Indiana (compared to 21+ for sports betting and casino play).
Land-Based Casinos in Indiana
Indiana has 14 licensed land-based gambling venues: 12 commercial casinos (historically riverboats, several now land-based after the 2015 law change) plus two racinos at existing horse tracks. Four Winds South Bend — operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians — is the state’s only tribal casino and operates under a federal tribal-state compact rather than IGC commercial licensing, though the IGC still coordinates on regulatory matters. Hard Rock Northern Indiana in Gary has been the state’s top monthly revenue earner for nearly all of its operating history, with Horseshoe Hammond the historical leader before Hard Rock opened in May 2021.
| Casino | Location | Type | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard Rock Northern Indiana | Gary | Land-based | $300M build opened May 2021, Indiana’s top-grossing casino; 1,600+ slots, 80+ tables, Hard Rock Live venue |
| Horseshoe Hammond | Hammond | Riverboat | Largest gaming floor in the Chicago region (350,000+ sq ft), flagship WSOP Circuit stop |
| Ameristar East Chicago | East Chicago | Riverboat | Boyd Gaming-owned, 56,000 sq ft gaming space on Lake Michigan with 288-room hotel |
| Four Winds South Bend | South Bend | Tribal | Indiana’s only tribal casino; operated by Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, added table games in 2018 |
| Blue Chip Casino | Michigan City | Riverboat | Boyd Gaming resort on Lake Michigan with 486 hotel rooms and a full spa |
| Horseshoe Indianapolis | Shelbyville | Racino | Formerly Indiana Grand; rebranded by Caesars in January 2022 after $33.7M expansion with a 20-table WSOP poker room |
| Harrah’s Hoosier Park | Anderson | Racino | Caesars-operated racino with harness racing and 1,800+ slots; added table games in 2021 |
| Caesars Southern Indiana | Elizabeth | Land-based | $90M land-based facility that replaced the Glory of Rome riverboat in December 2019, across the Ohio River from Louisville |
| Hollywood Lawrenceburg | Lawrenceburg | Riverboat | PENN Entertainment property on the Ohio River, 295 hotel rooms, Cincinnati-market draw |
| Belterra Casino Resort | Florence | Riverboat | Boyd Gaming resort and spa on the Ohio River with 608 rooms and a Tom Fazio golf course |
| Rising Star Casino | Rising Sun | Riverboat | Full Circle Restaurants-owned boutique riverboat with 190-room hotel; the smallest of the Ohio River operators |
| French Lick Resort | French Lick | Land-based | Historic 1902 resort reopened as a casino in 2006; 51,000 sq ft gaming floor, two Pete Dye golf courses, genuine destination property |
| Tropicana Evansville | Evansville | Land-based | Became Indiana’s first land-based casino under the 2015 transition law in October 2017; Bally’s-operated on the Ohio River |
| Terre Haute Casino Resort | Terre Haute | Land-based | Newest Indiana casino, opened 2024 on the license transferred after Gary’s Majestic Star closure; Churchill Downs Inc.-operated |
Riverboat history, in one paragraph
Indiana’s casinos were legally required to float until 2015. When the legislature passed the riverboat-to-land transition law that year, operators could finally ditch the boats and build out real, walk-in facilities on adjacent land. Tropicana Evansville flipped first in October 2017, Caesars Southern Indiana followed in December 2019 (retiring the Glory of Rome, the largest gambling riverboat ever built in the U.S.), and Hard Rock Northern Indiana opened fully land-based in Gary in May 2021 after Majestic Star’s two boats closed that April. Several operators still sit on boats today — notably Horseshoe Hammond, Belterra, and Blue Chip — but the trajectory is clear.
Indiana Sports Betting Laws & Regulations
Indiana’s sports betting laws are set by HEA 1015 (2019) and administered by the Indiana Gaming Commission, with a 9.5% tax on operator adjusted gross revenue — one of the lowest regulated-state rates in the country. Bettors must be 21 or older and physically inside Indiana at the moment of the wager, confirmed via GPS geolocation. College betting is allowed on in-state programs, but player prop bets on individual college athletes were banned statewide in 2024 following an NCAA lobbying effort. High school and youth sports wagering is prohibited outright.
Taxes & Revenue
Indiana’s 9.5% rate applies to sports betting adjusted gross revenue, with proceeds directed primarily to the state general fund and problem gambling programs. Monthly revenue reports from the IGC show steady market growth: January 2026 produced $523.4 million in handle and $4.68 million in state tax, February delivered $3.95 million in tax receipts, and March 2026 hit $4.66 million — a 37% year-over-year bump in operator gross gaming revenue despite softer handle. For context, compare to the much higher rates in neighboring markets:
| State | Sports Betting Tax Rate | Launched |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 9.5% AGR | Oct 2019 |
| Illinois | 15%–40% graduated | Mar 2020 |
| Ohio | 20% AGR | Jan 2023 |
| Michigan | 8.4% AGR | Jan 2021 |
| Kentucky | 14.25% AGR | Sep 2023 |
What You Can and Cannot Bet On
- Allowed: All major U.S. pro leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, WNBA), international soccer, tennis, golf, UFC, boxing, auto racing (including Indy 500 futures and IndyCar outrights), esports on approved titles.
- Allowed with restrictions: College team and game-outcome bets on in-state programs (Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame, Butler, Ball State, IU Indianapolis) — but no individual player props on college athletes as of 2024.
- Prohibited: High school sports, youth sports, Olympic events restricted by the IGC’s approved-events list, and any prop tied to a referee, coach, or non-athletic outcome.
- Geofencing is strict: If your GPS pings outside Indiana, your app won’t accept the bet. Hoosiers just across the Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, or Michigan lines cannot wager on Indiana apps.
The NCAA Headquarters Irony
The NCAA has been headquartered at 700 West Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis since 1999 — which means America’s largest anti-sports-betting institution runs its operations inside one of the earliest states to legalize mobile sports betting. The proximity is literal: you can legally open the DraftKings or FanDuel app and place a bet on a Big Ten basketball game from the sidewalk outside the NCAA’s front door. It’s one of the quieter contradictions in modern American sports, and it informs the state’s regulatory posture.
That tension isn’t just aesthetic. The 2024 college player prop ban in Indiana was driven in part by NCAA lobbying, with the organization arguing that individual player props create harassment risk for college athletes. Indiana was one of the earlier states to comply, alongside Ohio, Maryland, Vermont, and Louisiana. The NCAA has continued pushing for similar bans nationally, and the Indianapolis HQ gives those efforts a symbolic home base that betting markets now have to navigate around.
How to Sign Up for Sports Betting in Indiana
Signing up takes about five minutes and can be done entirely from your phone — no trip to a retail casino required. The process mirrors other legal mobile states: download a licensed app, verify identity, deposit, and place a wager. Every Indiana operator uses the same regulated KYC (know-your-customer) flow, so the experience is consistent across DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and the rest.
- Confirm location. You must be physically inside Indiana and 21 or older. The app uses GPS to verify; on desktop you’ll need a geolocation plugin installed.
- Download the app. Use the iOS App Store or Google Play Store — not a sideloaded APK or web link from an offshore site.
- Create your account. Provide your legal name, date of birth, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. This is standard for all regulated U.S. sportsbooks and is required for IRS reporting and fraud prevention.
- Deposit funds. Minimum deposits range from $5 (DraftKings) to $10 (most others). Approved methods include debit card, PayPal, ACH, VIP Preferred, and Play+ prepaid. Credit cards are blocked under Indiana regulation.
- Claim your welcome bonus and bet. Opt in to the welcome offer before your first wager. Start small, check the T&Cs, and track your first-month activity so you can spot patterns in your own decision-making.
Banking Options for Indiana Bettors
Indiana sportsbooks accept the standard menu of regulated U.S. payment methods: debit cards, online bank transfer (ACH), PayPal, Venmo (select operators), VIP Preferred, Play+ prepaid cards, and PayNearMe cash deposits at participating retailers. Credit card deposits are blocked by state regulation, a common consumer-protection rule across most regulated states. Withdrawals mirror the deposit rails — PayPal and Venmo are typically the fastest (often under 24 hours), while ACH and check withdrawals can take 3–5 business days. For a deeper look at deposit options and how they work across operators, see our banking guide.
Responsible Gambling Resources in Indiana
Indiana offers multiple layers of responsible gambling support, anchored by a 24/7 statewide helpline and a Voluntary Exclusion Program administered by the Indiana Gaming Commission. The IGC’s VEP is free and lets you self-exclude from all Indiana casinos, racinos, and sportsbooks for one year, five years, or life; once enrolled, any winnings from within the state are forfeited. The Indiana Council on Problem Gambling coordinates free counseling across the state, and every licensed Indiana sportsbook is required to offer on-app deposit limits, time-out tools, and self-exclusion.
- Indiana Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) — 24/7, free, confidential.
- Indiana Council on Problem Gambling: indianaproblemgambling.org for counseling referrals and family support resources.
- Indiana Gaming Commission Voluntary Exclusion Program: Enroll at any licensed casino or online via the IGC — covers all retail and mobile operators statewide.
- National Council on Problem Gambling: ncpgambling.org and 1-800-522-4700 for out-of-state resources.
Play Safe: Gambling should be fun, not stressful. Set deposit limits, stick to your budget, and never chase losses. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) or visit ncpgambling.org. For more resources, see our Responsible Gambling page.
Neighboring States
Indiana borders four states with very different gambling regimes. If you cross state lines, the Indiana apps on your phone will stop working within seconds — but the state you just entered may have its own licensed apps you can use after creating a separate account. For a wider national view, see our sports betting hub and US gambling laws overview.
- Illinois: Online sports betting legal with a graduated 15%–40% tax rate. Strong Chicago market; licensed operators include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, ESPN BET (now theScore Bet), and others.
- Kentucky: Online sports betting went live in September 2023 at 14.25% AGR. Derby country, with deep horse racing infrastructure; no online casino or poker yet.
- Ohio: Online sports betting launched January 2023 at 20% AGR — see our Ohio online gambling guide for the full breakdown. No online casino or poker.
- Michigan: Full online gambling legal — sports betting, online casino, and online poker since January 2021. One of only seven U.S. states with legal iGaming; see our Michigan gambling guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online gambling legal in Indiana?
Online sports betting and daily fantasy sports are legal in Indiana; online casino games and online poker are not. Retail sports betting launched September 1, 2019 and mobile betting followed on October 3, 2019, both regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission. HB 1052 — signed by Governor Mike Braun on March 12, 2026 and effective July 1, 2026 — is a sweepstakes-casino ban, not an online-casino legalization bill; no active 2026 Indiana legislation would legalize real-money online casinos.
What is the minimum age to gamble in Indiana?
You must be 21 or older to place sports bets, gamble at a commercial casino, or play at a racino in Indiana. Daily fantasy sports, the Hoosier Lottery, charity bingo, and pari-mutuel horse racing are open to anyone 18 or older.
What sportsbook apps are available in Indiana?
Indiana has 11 licensed mobile sportsbooks in 2026: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, Fanatics, bet365, Bally Bet, theScore Bet (the rebranded ESPN BET as of December 2025), and SBK Sportsbook. All are licensed and regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission.
How many casinos are in Indiana?
Indiana has 14 licensed land-based gambling venues: 12 commercial casinos (including riverboats and land-based properties after the 2015 transition law) plus two racinos at horse tracks. Four Winds South Bend is the state’s only tribal casino, operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.
What is the Indiana sports betting tax rate?
Indiana taxes sports betting operators at 9.5% of adjusted gross revenue, one of the lowest regulated-state rates in the U.S. Neighboring Illinois charges 15%–40% graduated, Ohio charges 20%, and Kentucky charges 14.25%. Indiana’s low rate is a major reason operators have offered sharper pricing and more promotions in the Hoosier market.
Can I bet on Indiana, Purdue, or Notre Dame college games?
Yes, you can bet on game outcomes, spreads, and totals for all in-state college programs. However, player prop bets on individual college athletes were banned statewide in 2024 following NCAA lobbying. High school and youth sports betting is prohibited outright in Indiana.
Is online poker legal in Indiana?
No, online poker is not legal in Indiana, and there is no active 2026 bill that would legalize it. HB 1052 (signed March 2026, effective July 1, 2026) is a sweepstakes-casino ban and does not address online poker. For live poker, Horseshoe Hammond hosts regular WSOP Circuit events and Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville has a 20-table World Series of Poker Room added in its 2022 expansion.
Is DraftKings legal in Indiana?
Yes, DraftKings is fully licensed and legal in Indiana for both sports betting (21+) and daily fantasy sports (18+). The app went live in Indiana on October 3, 2019 as part of the state’s initial mobile sports betting launch and is one of the top two operators by handle every month.