Indiana Sports Betting

Indiana sports bettors have a huge variety of legal online sportsbooks at their fingertips, and the action is only getting bigger and better in 2022.

Compared to other states with sports betting, Indiana has very few restrictions. You can even place in-game bets on Indiana colleges as well as TV events like the Oscars. For sports bettors of all stripes, it doesn’t get much better than Indiana. Looking for the best sports betting app in the Hoosier State? Read on to discover our top choices.

Editors’ Choice For Best Sports Betting Apps In Indiana October 2022

• DraftKings Indiana: Best Overall App and Offer
• Caesars Sportsbook Indiana: Best for Vegas Bettors
• BetMGM Indiana: Best for MGM Fans
• BetRivers Indiana: Best for Deposit Bonus
• FanDuel Indiana: Best DFS + Sports App
• PointsBet Indiana: Best for Unique Betting Features
• Unibet Indiana: Best for Fans of International Sports

Best Sportsbook Apps In Indiana

Best Indiana Sportsbook Bonuses

Full List of Indiana Online Sportsbooks

• DraftKings Indiana
• Caesars Sportsbook Indiana
• BetMGM Indiana
• BetRivers Indiana
• FanDuel Indiana
• PointsBet Indiana
• Unibet Indiana
• Bally Bet Indiana
• Barstool Sportsbook Indiana
• Betway Indiana
• TwinSpires Sportsbook Indiana
• WynnBET Indiana

Top Retail Sportsbooks in Indiana

Indiana Legal Sportsbooks

The Indiana Gaming Commission meticulously verifies each sportsbook applicant before issuing a sports betting license. They also must approve each sport before its offered and enforces a strict regulatory code. You can find more resources here.

Illegal sportsbooks do not offer such protection for bettors. These sites are located in legal safe havens where they can offer their services to anyone in the world without restriction – and their oversight is minimal. 

That means you have no legal recourse if they refuse to pay, suddenly disappear with your money, give away your personal information, or any number of other scenarios.

Indiana Sports Betting Revenue

The Indiana Gaming Commission reported statewide handle of $256.3 million in bets made during June 2022, down from $308 million handled in May. May and June have been on a downward trend, but such a slowdown in the spring and summer months is common across the industry.

In 2021, $3.8 billion was wagered in the Hoosier State. That shattered the $1.8 billion that was bet in 2020.

Indiana compared favorably to relatively new legal sports betting markets in Arizona and Maryland. The bottom line here is Indiana sports betting has seen an incredible trend in a market that was expected to lose some business as Illinois and Iowa’s legal online sports betting markets grew. The Hoosier State remains a hyper-competitive market, and bettors will benefit in the form of promotions and exclusive odds.

How Indiana Compares To Other States

Indiana Versus The US

Indiana is the only state where you can bet on in-state college teams, place in-game bets on college games, and bet on TV events like the Oscars. Everywhere else places restrictions on at least one of those categories.

Indiana is a large market that inspires tons of competition. And all that competition means a great selection of odds across different sportsbooks.

Indiana Versus The Midwest

Illinois and Iowa both offer online sports betting. In Iowa, the in-person registration requirement expired on January 1, 2021. 

Further, Iowa does not allow in-game bets on college games, and Illinois restricts betting on in-state college teams in general. Indiana does not have either restriction.

Nowhere else in the Midwest allows bets on TV competitions like the Oscars either. And betting on politics—a popular activity in Europe and elsewhere in the world—could be next.

Ohio looks to be the next Midwest state to legalize online betting. With a strong college betting tradition in the Buckeye State, it will be interesting to see what the market looks like in Ohio in comparison to Indiana.

Indiana Betting Successes And Failures

Indiana Sports Betting Success

In January 2022, a new monthly record for sports betting handle was established in Indiana. An Indiana Gaming Commission report pegged the record number at $498.4 million. Over $476 million was wagered in March, $360 million in bets were made during April, and the handle in May was $306 million.

The Indiana Gaming Commission also approved gambling on the Winter Olympics at authorized Indiana casinos and with mobile sports betting operators. Bettors were be able to wager on seven Olympic sports including hockey, alpine skiing, bobsled, and more.

One inherent advantage lies in the fact that bettors never had to register in-person at an online sportsbook in Indiana, a requirement that was a significant nuisance for sports bettors in Iowa and Illinois.

Where Could Indiana Improve Online Gambling?

During a National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) conference in January 2020, Republican State Senator John Ford stated that Indiana lawmakers would take a look at legalizing online casinos in 2021. Although lawmakers introduced an igaming bill in early 2021 to expand into online casinos, the bill stalled in the legislative session. 

With the recent success of online sports betting, there’s likely enough political capital to get it done. Online casino playing hopefuls can cross their fingers for 2022.

As it stands, the only states that legalized online casinos are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, and Connecticut.

Legalization Effort In Indiana

Former Governor of Indiana Mike Pence was staunchly opposed to gambling expansion. However, he was replaced by fellow Republican Eric Holcomb, who began serving as the state’s governor on January 9, 2017, and has since led the state to its current status as a sports betting haven. Governor Holcomb ensured the legalization of sports gambling when he signed it into law in May 2019.    

Important Dates For Indiana Sports Betting

• February 26, 2019 – Indiana Senate passed Bill 552, which expands the number of casinos in the state and began the legalization efforts of sports betting. 
• May 8, 2019 – Republican Governor Eric Holcomb signs the new gambling expansion bill into law, allowing for more Indiana casinos as well as legalized retail and online sportsbooks.
• September 1, 2019 – Three Indiana casinos—Indiana Grand Casino in Shelbyville, Ameristar East Chicago, and Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg—began taking in-person bets at their retail sportsbooks.
• September 19, 2019 – As of this day, 13 different casinos across the state accept retail sports bets. Rising Star Casino and Caesars Southern Indiana also opened sportsbooks.  Hard Rock Northern Indiana will open one in Spring 2021. The only casinos without sportsbook lounges will be Four Winds South Bend and Majestic Star riverboat casinos.
• October 3, 2019 – BetRivers and DraftKings launched in Indiana, the first two legally-licensed online sportsbooks in the state.
• January 2022 – The Indiana Gaming Commission issued a report that revealed $3.8 billion was wagered in the Hoosier State last year. That was compared to just $1.8 billion in 2020.

Indiana Professional Sports Teams

Indianapolis Colts

The NFL reigns supreme as the most popular sport for betting in the US. And the Indianapolis Colts are by far the most popular professional team for betting in Indiana. 

Caesars Sportsbook is the official sports betting partner of the Colts, making that platform a premier NFL betting option. But all online sportsbooks in Indiana will have a wide range of NFL betting lines and promotions.

The Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl in 2007 under the direction of QB Peyton Manning.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have no NBA titles to their credit, but that’s largely due to a relentless string of bad luck, including injuries, suspensions, and more.

Indiana College Sports Teams

Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish are the most popular sports team in the state. Not the most popular “college” sports team. This state treats Notre Dame football like Chicago treats all their sports teams combined. Indiana bleeds green.

You’ll find a huge number of lines for Notre Dame games at Indiana’s online sportsbooks. The sports betting lounges across the state are also electric on game days. (They’re essentially Indiana sports bars with gambling kiosks, so how could they not be?)

Everyone Else

Unfortunately for other in-state programs, there’s Notre Dame and everyone else. But Indiana boasts some of the most competitive NCAA D1 athletic departments in the country beyond the Fighting Irish. These include:

• Ball State
• Butler
• Purdue
• Indiana University
• Indiana State

With few restrictions on college sports betting in Indiana, every sportsbook in the state will take bets on every game these teams play.

Other Sports To Bet On In Indiana

All the best Indiana sportsbooks offer bets on all types of sports, including racing, individual competitions like MMA and golf, and even the Academy Awards. 

Some brands also specialize in international competitions, such as European soccer. Sportsbooks such as Caesars Sportsbook, PointsBet, and Unibet are particularly diligent about listing tons of events for these more obscure overseas events.

Indiana Bans Esports Wagering

Besides banning bets on high school and amateur sports, Indiana has some of the most relaxed sports betting laws in the country. However, regulators have outright banned esports wagering in the state. This is due to the fact that many esports teams have underage players. 

How To Place A Bet In Indiana

Step 1: Choose Your Sportsbook

The easiest way to place a bet on sports in Indiana is online. However, you can also visit a retail sportsbook and bet in-person at casinos across the state.

Here are some features to look for when deciding which online sportsbook to join:

• Great Welcome Offer, including agreeable terms and conditions
• Best odds on the sport or event you’re planning to wager on first
• Preferred banking methods
• App Store rating

When you’ve found the right sportsbook, iOS users can download the state-specific app in the App Store. Android users need to download the app directly on the sportsbook’s website per Google Play restrictions. You can also bet at most sportsbooks via web browser on any device.

Step 2: Create An Account

All online sportsbooks in Indiana make it easy to register an account. Simply click the “signup” button and follow the steps, where you’ll provide your personal information and create a login. Make sure to include any promo code if one is required during signup.

Step 3: Verify Your Location

The app or website will prompt you to share your location, and you must do so to wager. This is per Indiana Gaming Commission regulations, as you must be physically located within the state of Indiana to wager.

Step 4: Make A Deposit

You can deposit during the signup process or after. To deposit, you transfer money to your sportsbook account using an available banking method.

Important Note: Using a credit card as a payment method may count as a cash advance, which often comes with hefty fees. Your best bet is to use PayPal, Skrill, or online bank transfer.

Step 5: Place Your Bets

You have a lot of risk-free bet offers in Indiana, but you can also choose to simply skip the welcome offer and place any bets you like. Add one or several wagers to your bet slip – and remember to gamble responsibly!

Indiana Sports Betting FAQs

More Resources On Indiana Sports Betting

• Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) website offers a host of resources about casino licensing, Indiana gambling news, and a contact page for questions or disputes.
• Monthly Revenue Reports from Indiana gambling companies are updated monthly by the IGC..
• Indiana Sports Wagering Statute details all sports betting rules and regulations.
• IndyStar Sports offers the latest news on all Indiana athletics from the high school to the professional level.
• WISH-TV Sports also offers a valuable resource for breaking news about Indiana sports.