Is Sports Betting Legal in Indiana?
Yes, it’s now completely legal to bet on a wide range of sporting events in Indiana. The state became the 13th in the country, and only the second in the Midwest, to legalize sports betting. On May 8, 2019, Governor Eric Holcomb signed the new law into effect, instructing the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) to begin the licensing process.
A few months later, the first retail sportsbooks began taking bets, and it wasn't much longer before the first online betting sites were approved. Since September 2019, Indiana has been home to a number of different online sportsbooks, all of which offer bonuses, competitive odds, and mobile betting.
IN Sports Betting Timeline
- February 2019 – The Indiana Senate approves a bill that would legalize and regulate sports betting in the state. The bill is voted yes 38-11 and passed to the House.
- April 2019 – The House and Senate agree to changes to the bill, HB 1015, allowing mobile betting and also approving new land-based casinos.
- May 8, 2019 – Indiana’s Governor, Eric Holcomb, signs HB 1015 into law, prompting the Indiana Gaming Commission to begin working out license details.
- September 2019 – The first legal sports bets in the state are placed at land-based casinos.
- October 3, 2019 – The first sportsbooks go live in Indiana, allowing bettors to sign up and bet on mobile and other devices.
Indiana Sports Betting at a Glance
| Indiana retail sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Indiana online sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| Indiana online sports betting launch date | October 3, 2019 |
| Indiana sports betting regulator | Indiana Gaming Commission |
| Number of sportsbook licenses available | Fourteen |
| Total bets placed in first month | $35.2million |
| Sportsbook tax rate | 9.5% |
Top IN Sportsbooks
Although the Indiana Gaming Commission can approve up to 14 licensed operators, each is permitted to open up to three individual sportsbook sites. This means you can potentially choose from more than 40 different online sportsbooks. So far, these are some of our favorites:
- FanDuel – Most intuitive betting experience
- DraftKings – Best beginner guides
- Caesars – Biggest welcome bonus
- PointsBet – Best market variety
- BetMGM – Easiest banking
- BetRivers – Best loyalty scheme
- FOX Bet – Fastest Withdrawals
- Barstool – Best live odds
Choosing a Sportsbook in Indiana
Now that the state has agreed to regulate the sports betting industry, you can choose between thirteen legal sportsbooks in Indiana. All of these sites let you claim bonuses and bet real money on major sports when you sign up and create an account. However, the experience between sites can be different, with unique features and different benefits.
Before you join, make sure you consider the following aspects to see if you’re getting the best deal:
Reviews
Checking sportsbook reviews is the easiest way to quickly get an idea of which site to join. Considering there are thirteen different options to choose from, you probably don’t have time to sign up to each one and compare them yourself. Thankfully, our expert review team has done all the hard work for you.
We research and collect data on each legal IN betting site and give you all the information to help you choose which one to join. You can use our reviews to get a quick idea of what each site has to offer and join the perfect sportsbook for you.
Bonuses
Claiming a bonus is an exciting part of betting online. All of the sportsbooks available in Indiana have bonuses available, and you can claim most of them simply by signing up and making a deposit. Before you choose a sportsbook, it’s important to take a look at the bonuses it has to offer and how easy they are to claim and use.
Typical sportsbook promos include:
- Risk-free bets
- Matched deposit bonuses
- Bet credits
- Odds boosts
The best sportsbooks provide welcome bonuses to new customers, as well as lots of regular promos you can claim throughout your time betting. Ideally, these should be easy to claim and help you find more value in your bets.
Odds and Lines
Whenever you place a bet on sports, the odds will dictate how much profit you can win if your bet is successful. Taking a bet at higher odds gives you greater potential profits, and the odds can vary quite a bit between sportsbooks. Before you choose a site, be sure to check out the odds and compare them to other sites, especially on the events you prefer to bet on.
Lines will also make a big difference to how much you can win, with favorable lines giving you a greater chance of having a successful bet. Lines will also vary between sportsbooks, and different sites may be quicker to move them based on the latest news.
Sports and Markets
The availability of sports and markets to bet on will also have a major impact on how you use your sportsbook. The best sites give you loads of sports to bet on, including international and minor leagues as well as the big four US leagues. With more options, you'll also have more variety, so it’s important to check which sports are covered before you join. Typically, Indiana sportsbooks offer odds on the following:
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- MLS
- College Sports
- Tennis
- Golf
- Motorsports
- Premier League Soccer
- Champions League Soccer
- MMA
- Boxing
Aside from the sports, you should also look at what kind of markets your sportsbook offers. Markets are the options you have to bet on, and more options will give you a better chance of finding value. Most Indiana sportsbooks offer the following markets on all major events:
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Point total
- Player props
- Game props
- Futures
- Parlays
- Same game parlays
Usability
Usability is something that’s easy to overlook in favor of fancy features, but it’s just as important to your betting experience. If you want to be able to enjoy placing bets, you want to choose a sportsbook that’s easy to use. The sign up process should only take a few minutes, and you should be able to easily find the events you’re looking for without much hassle.
The best sportsbooks make it straightforward to find different sports and events thanks to a helpful menu. They also layout the homepage in a way that makes it suitable for desktop and mobile users. If you prefer betting on your mobile, it’s a good idea to check out the mobile app before you sign up.
Payments
To start betting with real money, you need a way to conveniently add funds to your sportsbook account. The payment process should be straightforward, fast, and free, giving you more time to spend picking out your bets.
Before joining a betting site, check out which payment methods it accepts and how easy it is to add funds and request payouts. More payment options mean an easier and smoother experience and most Indiana sportsbooks accept a wide range of popular options.
Customer Support
Customer support is another important factor to consider when choosing an online betting site. All the best sites in Indiana provide customer support should you ever need assistance. However, some sites have better options and availability than others.
When you’re considering which sportsbook to join, make sure you check out which support options are available and how easy it is to get in touch if you have a question or issue. Popular customer support options include:
- Email support
- Phone support
- Live chat
- Social media
How to Join an Indiana Sportsbook
Once you’ve chosen an Indiana sportsbook, you’ll need to create an account if you want to start betting. Thankfully the sign up process is very simple and shouldn’t take long, provided you have all your details to hand. All you have to do is follow these steps:
- Visit the sportsbook through your browser or download the app
- Choose the Sign Up option and fill out your details
- Ensure they’re correct, then agree to the sportsbook’s terms and conditions
- Verify your account by uploading your ID and accepting the location check
IN Sportsbook Deposits Explained
Once you’ve set up your account, you’ll still need to add some funds before you can start betting. Some Indiana sportsbooks may offer no deposit promos, but a deposit is normally still required before you can fully use the site.
Making your first deposit is very simple, as you only need to open the cashier and choose your preferred payment method. It’s then a case of entering how much you’d like to add and confirming the deposit, with the funds added to your account instantly.
Based on our research, Indiana sportsbooks commonly accept the following payment methods for deposits:
- Online banking
- Debit/credit cards
- Wire transfer
- ACH/eCheck
- PayPal
- Paynearme
Claiming Your Indiana Betting Promos
Indiana sportsbooks often have betting promos for you to claim, which help you get more value out of your bets. These promos come in lots of different forms, but they’re used as a way to encourage new customers to sign up and start betting. While they can be lucrative, it’s important to read through all of the terms and conditions before you claim. Some common terms at Indiana sportsbooks include:
| Terms and Conditions | Example | Explanation |
| Wagering requirement/rollover | 25x | Complete the wagering to withdraw your bonus |
| Promo code | BONUS10 | Enter the promo code when making a deposit to claim your bonus |
| Minimum deposit | $20 | Deposit at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum bet | $10 | Make a bet of at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum odds | -200 | Make a bet at these odds or greater to claim the bonus |
Indiana Payouts Guide
If you have sufficient funds in your sportsbook account, you can request a withdrawal at any time. This will send your money to the payment method of your choice, allowing you to spend any winnings you make from your bets.
The payout process varies depending on the site you use, but from testing Indiana sportsbooks, we’ve written up this quick guide to help you out:
- Open up the sportsbook and log into your account
- Head to the cashier section and open the withdrawals page
- Choose your preferred payment method and enter the amount you’d like to withdraw
Note that in most cases, you’ll only be able to make a withdrawal using a payment method that you previously used to make a deposit. In addition, most sportsbooks have a minimum withdrawal amount, and very often, there are limits on how much you can withdraw too.
The time it takes for your withdrawal to be processed depends on the sportsbook you’re using. But our data shows that it rarely takes longer than 48 hours. After that, you’ll need to wait for your payment method to process the payout. Here are some average processing times for popular payment methods:
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time |
| Debit card | 1-5 days |
| PayPal | 30 minutes to 1 day |
| Bank transfer | 1-7 days |
Betting on Your Mobile in Indiana
You can bet from any device you want, as all Indiana sportsbooks are fully compatible with smartphones and tablets. As long as you have a mobile connection and you’re within the state borders, you can bet anywhere and anytime. All of the licensed betting sites in IN can be accessed through your mobile browser, but most also offer mobile apps.
If you want the best possible experience betting on the go, we recommend downloading and installing your preferred sportsbook app. The app makes it even more convenient, offering you all the same events, markets, bonuses, and features that you’d find on the desktop site. In addition, Indiana mobile betting apps are incredibly easy to use and mean you can quickly log in and check on the status of your bets.
Top IN Sports to Bet On
Indiana has a rich sporting history, with fans across the state following a range of different sports and teams. You can bet on all major sporting events at IN sportsbooks, including the state’s very own home teams. Aside from the major leagues, you can also bet on Indiana events such as the Indianapolis 500.
NFL
Football is America’s favorite sport by some margin, with millions of fans following the NFL season. In Indiana, most fans support their local side, the Indianapolis Colts. Playing out of the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the Colts have played in the NFL since 1953 and have a fierce following. While they’ve won a division championship as recently as 2014, they haven’t lifted the Super Bowl since 2006.
NBA
Basketball has its origins in Indiana, with the sport growing in high schools throughout the state. Interestingly, it’s also produced the largest number of NBA players per capita of any state, with major players such as Larry Bird growing up here. Most NBA fans in Indiana support their local side, the Indiana Pacers, despite the fact that their side hasn’t won a championship since the 70s.
MLB
Perhaps the oldest and most important sport in the US, baseball is still enjoyed by millions of fans across the country. Even if its popularity has waned over the decades, baseball is an exciting sport to watch and bet on. Indiana doesn’t have its own MLB franchise, though the state is home to plenty of other professional baseball teams competing in the Frontier League, Midwest League, and American Association.
NHL
Hockey is growing in popularity across the US, and the NHL has undergone expansion recently, with several new franchises joining. While Indiana hockey fans don’t have their own NHL team to follow, many support teams based in the same time zone, such as the Chicago Blackhawks, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Nashville Predators. All NHL games are available to bet on, as well as hockey from other leagues.
MLS
Soccer and the MLS are becoming more popular every year in the US. Although it will likely never be the most watched sport because of the dominance of football and basketball, more fans are now able to enjoy it. This is especially thanks to the improving quality of the MLS. While Indiana is without an MLS franchise for now, it is home to the Indy Eleven, who play in the USL Championship.
College Sports
Betting on college sporting events is also permitted in Indiana, though some restrictions do apply. You can bet on the outcome of all college games, but you won’t be able to place game or player prop bets. This is to help preserve the integrity of the game and prevent possible match-fixing. You’ll be able to bet on all Indiana college games, including the Ball State Cardinals and the Indiana Hoosiers.
Why Join Multiple Indiana Sportsbooks
Don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to just one sportsbook. There are loads of choices for IN bettors, and the more you join, the better experience you can have. In fact, we recommend that you sign up to all of the top Indiana sportsbooks, as that way, you’ll be able to enjoy the following benefits:
More Bonuses
All IN betting sites offer promos and bonuses as an incentive to encourage new customers to join. While you can only claim one of these per site, there’s nothing to stop you from joining each site and claiming all of the available bonuses. This can be extremely lucrative if you maximize the value of each offer.
Best Odds
Odds can vary a lot between sportsbooks, with many sites offering better odds on some events compared to others. If you want to find the best odds consistently, it’s a good idea to have accounts with all the major IN sportsbooks. This way, you can instantly compare the odds and always make sure you place your bets while getting the best price, giving you more profits to enjoy.
New Features
Every betting site you come across will offer different features to give bettors a unique experience, and it’s a good idea to try them all out. By experiencing these different features, you can have a better idea of which ones are most important to you. While some Indiana sportsbooks may offer better menus or markets, others might have better live odds or live streams.
Indiana Sports Betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Indiana?
Yes, it’s completely legal to place bets on sports in Indiana as of May 8, 2019. This means you can bet on a wide variety of sporting events from a legal and licensed sportsbook, either online or in person.
How do I join an online sportsbook in Indiana?
To create your online sportsbook account, you’ll need to choose a site and choose to register. Then you simply need to provide your details, prove your location and supply a copy of your ID.
What are the legal requirements for betting in Indiana?
To legally start betting in Indiana, you must be at least 21 years old. You must also make sure you’re using a licensed betting site. Finally, it’s important to note that betting on most sports is allowed, but politics and eSports are not permitted for betting on.
Do Indiana sportsbooks have bonuses and promos?
Yes, all of the Indiana sportsbooks we’ve tested have great betting promos for you to claim. Check out our list of the best Indiana sportsbook bonuses for more details.
Sources
Author
Tom Edlin is a senior author and contributor to SportsbookPromo.com. He's been writing and reporting on the US sports betting industry for years and has crafted hundreds of in-depth reviews and guides.
Chris Williams is a senior editor and fact checker at SportsbookPromo.com. He's been active within the US sports betting industry for over five years and has edited and fact checked hundreds of articles.