Indiana Sports Betting

Indiana sports betting is heading into its third year. Indiana bettors have a huge variety of legal online sportsbooks at their fingertips and the action should only get better throughout 2021.

Compared to other states with sports betting, Indiana has very few restrictions. Here, 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.

Indiana Sports Betting Updates

• More Than $200 Million Handled For The Third Month- On December 10, 2020, the Indiana Gaming Commission reported the third consecutive month (September, October, November 2020) of more than $200 million in total sports wagering across the state. In fact, sports betting has steadily grown every month since legalization.
• Indiana Largely Unaffected By Illinois Legalization- Despite Illinois again suspending the in-person registration requirement in September 2020, Indiana has only seen sports betting revenue continue to grow. However, Iowa’s in-person registration requirement expired on January 1, 2021,  so we’ll see how that affects Indiana’s sportsbook revenue. On April 4, 2021, Illinois started to once again require in-person registration for new bettors, which could give Indiana apps an edge. 
• Remodeled Barstool Sportsbook Opens On Christmas Eve- On December 24, 2020, the newly reimagined Barstool Sportsbook at Ameristar Casino in East Chicago opened its doors. Located at the casino entrance, this sportsbook features huge screens, a full food and drink menu, and plenty of betting kiosks.
• Betting Begins On The Academy Awards- In early January 2020, some Indiana sportsbooks, including Caesars Southern Indiana, began accepting bets on the Oscars. This is despite the fact that the nominations won’t be announced until March 15, 2021. As one of just two states (along with New Jersey) with legal Oscar betting, they’re already capitalizing on the privilege. 
• Indianapolis Colts Made It To The Playoffs- The Colts made it to the playoffs but faced off against the Bills during the Wild Card weekend. Maybe next year?

Best Sportsbook Apps In Indiana

William Hill Indiana (8.2/10)

Visit: William Hill Indiana and Claim $500 Risk Free Bet

• Welcome Offer: Risk-free bet up to $500
• Available Platforms: iOS App, Android App, Web Browser 
• Retail Partner: Tropicana Casino
• Live betting is the cornerstone of the William Hill app
• Creative bet boosts
• Competitive odds and moderate vig
• Accepts PayPal for deposits and withdrawals as well as credit/debit, online bank transfer, and more.

William Hill is one of the olds sports betting companies in the world, with an international footprint. It is also quickly expanding across the US. Part of this expansion involved the launch of William Hill Indiana in 2019.

In addition to its sign up bonus offer, William Hill also offers regular bet boosts and ongoing promotions. There is no end to their creativity on promotions and parlays. They have a strong live betting offer as well. Click the InPlay tab from the middle of the screen to see available live betting options.

FanDuel Sportsbook Indiana (9.5/10)

Visit: FanDuel Indiana and Claim a $1,000 Risk Free Bet

• Welcome Offer: Risk-free bet up to $1,000
• Available Platforms: iOS App, Android App, Web Browser 
• Retail Partner: Blue Chip Casino
• Highly Rated Mobile Platform
• Exclusive Daily Tournaments
• Often Unbeatable Odds
• Same login across DFS and sportsbook platforms
• Accepts PayPal for deposits and withdrawals as well as credit/debit, online bank transfer, and more.

FanDuel Sportsbook was the first sports betting site and app to launch in Indiana. But despite receiving tons of competition since, it remains one of the most popular platforms in the state. 

The reason is simple: FanDuel Indiana offers odds that rival anyone, some of the best ongoing promotions and tournaments, and a smooth, intuitive, and reliable mobile app.

New members can receive a risk-free bet up to $1,000. But existing members have access to a wide range of additional offers in both FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel DFS.

BetMGM Sportsbook Indiana (9.25/10)

Visit: BetMGM Indiana and get up to $600 Risk Free Bonus

• Welcome Offer: Risk-free bet up to $600
• Available Platforms: iOS App, Android App, Web Browser
• Retail Partner: Belterra Casino
• Tied for best app rating with DraftKings: 4.8 out of 5.0
• Massive market depth, including exclusive sports offerings
• Exclusive Cross-Sport Parlays
• Allows cash deposits and withdrawals at Belterra Casino cage (plus PayPal, credit/debit, online bank transfer, etc.)

BetMGM Indiana has arguably the best mobile platform in the US, with a quality that’s right alongside the big dog sportsbook apps like FanDuel and DraftKings. 

They also have competitive odds on moneyline and points spread bets. And with incredible consistency, BetMGM offers the highest win potential in futures betting.

Where BetMGM Indiana falls a bit short is with their welcome offer: a risk-free bet up to $600, which is half of what FanDuel Indiana offers. On top of a comparable app, FanDuel edges in front of BetMGM by a narrow margin.

But a smart sports bettor will compare the odds before placing a bet to make sure they’re getting the best deal. And BetMGM Indiana is an essential inclusion in that strategy.

PointsBet Sportsbook Indiana (8.5/10)

Visit: PointsBet Indiana and get $2,000 in Risk-Free Bets

• Welcome Offer: Two risk-free bets up to $2,000 with code BIGBONUS
• Available Platforms: iOS App, Android App, Web Browser
• Retail Partner: Lawrenceburg’s Hollywood Entertainment
• Range of American and international sports
• “No Juice” on select points spread bets for NFL playoff games and more
• Unique PointsBetting feature for totals wagering
• $5 minimum deposit and $50,000 maximum deposit with no minimum withdrawal

PointsBet has a lot to offer in terms of unique betting features. The most notable is PointsBetting, where over/under totals trigger multipliers that apply to both losing bets and winning bets. That means a $5 bet could be a $50 loss if you’re off by 10 points, but it could also mean a $50 payout if they score well over or well below the sportsbook’s total.

The PointsBet Indiana welcome bonus is two bets up to $1,500 with promo code BIGBONUS. This includes a risk-free fixed-odds bet up to $500 and a risk-free PointsBetting wager up to $1,000.

PointsBet Indiana’s biggest drawback is its limited banking options, which do not include PayPal or Skrill. However, the minimum deposit is $5, and there is no minimum withdrawal, which makes PointsBet a highly accessible platform for low-stakes bettors.

DraftKings Sportsbook Indiana (9.75/10)

Visit: DraftKings Indiana and get up to $1,000 Deposit Match Bonus

• Welcome Offer: 20% deposit match up to $1,000
• Available Platforms: iOS App, Android App, Web Browser
• Retail Partner: Ameristar Casino East Chicago
• Highest Rated Sportsbook App in Indiana
• Flawless mobile platform in terms of navigation and reliability
• Great odds and exclusive lines
• Offers both PayPal and Skrill for deposit and withdrawal (plus credit/debit, online bank transfer, and more.)

If you could only choose one sportsbook in Indiana, DraftKings would be a safe bet. They offer hands down the best mobile app for iOS and Android, and their odds usually match or beat all competitors. 

DraftKings Indiana technically has the highest deposit-match bonus up to $1,000, but they match it by 20%, meaning you need to deposit $5,000 to receive the maximum amount. For most bettors, the 100% deposit match up to $250 at BetRivers Indiana is better.

But in all other respects, DraftKings beats out BetRivers 99 times out of 100 – and most other sportsbooks for that matter.

BetRivers Sportsbook Indiana (7.5/10)

• Welcome Offer: 100% deposit match up to $250
• Available Platforms: Android App, Web Browser
• Retail Partner: French Lick Resort
• Doubles first deposit up to $250 with only 1x wagering requirement
• Competitive odds worth checking before placing a bet
• iRush Rewards offers a great loyalty program to regular bettors
• Credit and debit card accepted for deposits and withdrawal

BetRivers Indiana does not yet have an iOS App in a state where at least 80% of bets are placed on mobile devices. Worse yet, BetRivers does have sportsbook apps for other states, but even those are subpar.

That means iOS users will have to play the web browser version of the BetRivers, which takes major points off for this brand.

Also, BetRivers Indiana only offers the following deposit methods:

• Credit/Debit Card
• BetRivers Play+ Card
• Cash at casino cage (French Lick Resort)

That’s even more limited than what’s offered at PointsBet.

Still, it can still be worth it to play at BetRivers Indiana, because their odds will often beat out the likes of DraftKings and BetMGM for certain events, and they have arguably the best welcome offer in the state.

New members of BetRivers Indiana can have their first deposit doubled up to $250. And the wagering requirement is only 1x on bets with odds -200 or longer, including parlays. This can be any combination of bets within those requirements, even wagers as low as $1.

All Indiana Sportsbook Sites

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 legally 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 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 likely scenarios.

Indiana Sports Betting Revenue

Indiana surpassed $200 million in total wagering in the month of September 2020. That increased to more than $230 million in October 2020, then to over $250 million in November 2020.

That’s where the most recent reports end at the time of writing this Indiana sports betting guide. But that’s already an incredible trend in a market that expected to lose some business as Illinois and Iowa’s legal online sports betting markets grow.

Perhaps Indiana’s sportsbooks are growing in popularity and losing some customers at the same time. But whatever the case may be, 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.

It can be argued that states with more bettors bring in more revenue, and more revenue means better deals. For example, while Indiana sportsbooks handled $230 million in October, Illinois sportsbooks handled $435 million that same month.

Still, Indiana is a large market that inspires tons of competition. And all that competition means a great selection of odds across the 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. The governor of Illinois suspended their in-person registration requirement via executive order in response to COVID-19. Unfortunately, for Illinois bettors, the governor reinstated the in-person registration requirement on April 4, 2021. 

However, compared to Indiana, both states have about half as many online sportsbooks to choose from.

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

Indiana Betting Successes And Failures

Indiana Sports Betting Success

As mentioned above, Indiana sportsbooks saw a gradual increase in sports betting handles every month from October through the end of 2020. With the Colts in the playoffs, the Super Bowl, and March Madness all occurring in early 2021, that trend is expected to either continue or level out.

Indiana rolled out sports betting in a way that allowed for tons of competition and a huge variety of bets. You also 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. It remains a problem for Illinois bettors as of April 4, 2021. 

Where Could Indiana Improve Online Gambling?

If Michigan sees success with legalized online casinos in 2021, it’s a safe bet that Indiana will eventually follow suit.

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. 

With the recent success of online sports betting, there’s likely enough political capital to get it done.

As it stands, the only states that legalized online casinos are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan. But Indiana stands a good chance of becoming among the next few to do it too.

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.

But it wasn’t all his doing by any stretch. The Indiana Senate passed Bill 552 on February 26, 2019, and it saw a huge number of revisions from Democrats and Republicans alike. When the dust settled, the bipartisan bill to legalize sports betting ended up on Governor Holcomb’s desk, and he signed it into law on May 8, 2019.

Interestingly, Indiana has one of the most accessible markets for operators. They have a 9.5% tax rate and an annual $50,000 license fee. Illinois sportsbooks are subject to a 15% tax rate and $10 million license fee, which has kept the competition relatively low in the state. While Indiana will have a dozen or more sportsbooks in 2021, Illinois has just six.

Another area of interest is the tax revenue sports betting can bring into the state. Indiana estimated tax revenue of $10 million in the first year, and $38 million by the fifth year (2024). They were off by $1 million in the first year (September 2019 – September 2020), but COVID-19 saw March Madness 2020 canceled and a host of other sports paused, shortened, or canceled as well.

So, while it’s too early to say if those initial estimates are accurate, they don’t seem to be too off target. Time will tell.

Timeline 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.
• September 25, 2019: In partnership with French Lick Casino, Rush Street Gaming (owner of the BetRivers Sportsbook) became Indiana’s first approved online sports betting platform.
• October 3, 2019: BetRivers and DraftKings launched in Indiana, the first two legally-licensed online sportsbooks in the state.
• October 2019 – December 2019: DraftKings, FanDuel, William Hill, and BetAmerica also launch online sportsbooks in Indiana.
• February 2020 – September 2020: Five more online sportsbooks launch in the state—BetMGM, PointsBet, Caesars Sports, Unibet, and theScore—for a total of ten different options. And three more are expected in 2021.
• September 2020 – November 2020: Indiana reports three consecutive months where the state’s sportsbooks handled over $200 million.

Indiana Teams

Indiana Professional Sports Teams

Indiana Colts

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

This came into an especially bright spotlight when the Colts made it to the playoffs in 2021, with a regular season that helped inspire over $200 million in Indiana sports bets through the end of 2020.

As one of only two professional sports teams in the state, the Indiana Colts don’t have much competition for local fandom. But they won the Super Bowl in 1970, which was the first one after the AFL-NFL merger. And they won it again almost four decades later, with Peyton Manning leading the Colts to a victory over the Chicago Bears in 2006.

Fans of the Colts have a love-hate relationship with the team. While we’ll root for them no matter the circumstances, there’s a reason the team is nicknamed “The Dolts.” 

This is a team with a history of being the underdog as long as their history of being the favorite. Some would even say the underdog days overshadow the times of glory.

But at the end of the day, this is Indiana’s team. Through thick and thin, through good offenses and legendarily bad defenses.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have no NBA titles to their name despite their roster including Reggie Miller, Isiah Thomas, Ron Artest, Paul George, and the great Danny Granger. But that’s largely due to a relentless string of bad luck, including injuries, suspensions, family tragedies, and beyond.

The Pacers are due, and I’d bet on the fact that their year is coming in the near future.

Indiana College Sports Teams

Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish are far and wide 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.

College football is the second most popular sport for betting in the US after the NFL. But college football is the most popular sport in the state of Indiana. And we place a lot of bets on the fifth most winning team in college football history.

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 William Hill, PointsBet, and Unibet are particularly diligent about listing tons of events for the 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. 

But they could have allowed sportsbooks to take bets only on competitions with players over 18. Further, how do they square that with betting on international soccer, where teams regularly have players under the age of 18?

Hopefully, Indiana considers changing this restriction as esports betting grows in popularity across the US, including in Indiana.

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.