Best IN Gambling Sites 2024
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Indiana online casinos are currently not available in the state. However, online betting has found a home in Indiana in the form of sports betting and daily fantasy sports. That’s in addition to the state’s 14 brick-and-mortar casinos, which offer plenty of live casino gaming action, and the state’s racetracks and off-track betting facilities.
Latest Indiana Gambling Updates
After not being able to meet a committee deadline in Feb 2023, there is now no hope for the online casino bill in Indiana. Several issues prevented this bill from meeting it’s deadline, the biggest of which was the inclusion of VGTs in discussion of the bill. Although there were also serious concerns that online casinos would cannibalize land-based casinos. This concern mainly arose from a fiscal note which cited a 2011 study, this study predates U.S. legal online casinos by two years.
Online Gambling Laws Indiana Timeline
There will be more casinos in Indiana thanks to a move by Churchill Downs and the Gaming Commission. The racetrack owner was selected to develop the Queen of Terre Haute Casino Resort in Vigo County, Indiana, on November 18, 2021. A completion date for the $240 million project wasn't initially available but plans for the 400,000-square-foot resort include space for 1,000 slots, 50 table games, and a sportsbook.
BetMGM and PointsBet become the fifth and sixth online sportsbooks in the state, joining DraftKings, FanDuel, BetAmerica and BetRivers, which launched the previous year.
Gov. Eric Holcomb signs House Bill 1015 into law, which legalizes and regulates sports betting both online and at the state’s licensed casinos and racinos. In-person sports betting begins in September, online and mobile wagering a month later.
The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which restricted sports betting outside of Nevada. The decision allows each state to determine if it wants online and/or land-based sports wagering.
Indiana becomes second state (after Virginia) to pass DFS regulation.
Indiana lawmakers approve land-based casinos, meaning casinos no longer must be riverboats docked on lakes or rivers.
Casino gambling is expanded to allow online slots and video poker machines at the state’s two racetracks, Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs (later renamed Indiana Grand).
After several local referendums and licensing delays, Indiana’s first two riverboats open in Gary on June 11: Trump Casino and the Majestic Star, followed weeks later by the Empress Casino in Hammond.
Five years after pari-mutuel wagering is approved, Hoosier Park in Anderson becomes the state’s first regulated live harness/thoroughbred racing track on September 1.
Lawmakers pass the Indiana Riverboat Act on July 1, allowing for 10 riverboat casinos to be located on the shore of Lake Michigan, the Ohio River and Patoka Lake near French Lick.
Online gambling in Indiana is not permitted. One alternative is playing at sweepstakes casinos, also known as social casinos, which offer online slots and casino games through their websites or Facebook apps. Two great examples are Luckyland slots and Chumbas Casino, where the games are free and played without real money. Instead you purchase sweeps coins and gold coins to use as virtual currency on these sites. You can then redeem sweeps coins that you win as cash. The top-rated sweepstakes casinos sites are listed above.
Daily fantasy and are both legal in Indiana.
Indiana became the second state to regulate DFS in 2016, with then-Gov. Mike Pence signing the legislation. Sports betting was legalized in May 2019, with retail Indiana sportsbooks going live in September 2019, followed by online and mobile betting a month later.
What’s the Potential Launch Date for Indiana to Legalize Online Gambling?
There's no scheduled timeline for legalized online casinos or online poker legislation in Indiana. Players looking for something similar to will have to travel to a neighboring state. Still that doesn't mean that we won't be seeing online casinos at some point in the future. It would be a shame for Indiana residents to miss out on promotions similar to .
Sweepstakes Casinos
There aren't any regulated online casinos in Indiana yet. However, in lieu of Indiana casino laws changing, you can use sweepstakes sites. These platforms use a federal sweepstakes law to offer a variety of draw-based games, such as keno, slots, and video poker.
The defining feature of these legal online casinos is that you don't make deposits or withdrawals. Instead, you purchase onsite credits known as sweeps coins. These coins allow you to play a variety of games and win additional coins. Eventually, if you have enough, you can redeem these coins for prizes (including cash prizes).
The other important caveat is that operators must offer free entry into their "draws" (i.e. games). As per US sweepstakes laws, there must be no purchase necessary. To comply with this rule, these Indiana casinos give you free sweeps coins every day.
They do this through a variety of mechanisms, such as rewards for using your account, free spins bouses, and prize wheel giveaways. So, you can choose to purchase coins or get some for free. Whatever way you do it, you'll be able to play casino games and win tokens that can be redeemed for prizes (including cash).
List of Retail Casinos in Indiana
Indiana has more than a dozen land-based casino and racinos in operation throughout the state, along with a tribal casino in South Bend. The complete list:
Ameristar East Chicago
Address: 777 Ameristar Blvd., East Chicago
Amenities: More than 50,000 square feet of casino space with 1,700 slot machines, 70 tables games and expanded baccarat room.
Belterra Casino Resort and Spa
Address: 777 Belterra Drive, Florence
Amenities: More than 1,100 slot machines with denominations from 1 cent to $100. Offers fusion blackjack and roulette that utilize video dealers, among other casino games.
Blue Chip Casino & Hotel
Address: 2 Easy Street, Michigan City
Amenities: Online slots and more than 40 tables games, including 3 Card Poker Progressive, Caribbean Stud and Mississippi Stud. Eight poker room tables.
Caesars Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino
Address: 11999 Casino Center Drive SE, Elizabeth
Amenities: More than 1,600 slot machines, craps, blackjack, roulette and mini-baccarat. A high-limit gaming area offers blackjack limits up to $50,000.
Four Winds Casino South Bend
Address: 3000 Prairie Avenue, South Bend
Amenities: Tribal casino of Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians offers 1,400 electronic gaming machines and a poker room. Players can also sign up at their social gambling site and play online for free.
French Lick Resort
Address: 8670 West State Road 56, French Lick
Amenities: Slots, 37 gaming tables, several poker-themed games. Resort offers two 18-hole courses (one Pete Dye design, one Donald Ross) and a six-lane bowling alley and arcade.
Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino
Address: 4500 Dan Patch Circle, Anderson
Amenities: Racino features 2,000 slots and 28 table games with plenty of blackjack. Track offers live harness racing and is home to the 2020 Breeders Crown.
Hollywood Casino & Hotel Lawrenceburg
Address: 777 Hollywood Blvd., Lawrenceburg
Amenities: More than 1,500 video, reel and progressive slots, electronic table games, crapless craps, poker room with 19 tables.
Horseshoe Casino Hammond
Address: 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond
Amenities: The state’s largest casino with more than 3,000 gaming machines (including over 250 for video poker), more than 100 table games, and huge poker room with 34 tables. Located less than 17 miles from downtown Chicago.
Indiana Grand Casino
Address: 4300 N. Michigan Road, Shelbyville
Amenities: More than 2,200 slots and variety of table games including Three Card Poker and Face Up Pai Gow. Annual live thoroughbred racing meet from April through mid-November.
Majestic Star Casinos & Hotel
Address: 1 Buffington Harbor Drive, Gary
Amenities: Two boats docked on Lake Michigan will become Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, a $300 million facility with target opening of Dec. 31, 2020 or early 2021. For now, slots, tables games with several versions of baccarat and a poker room.
Rising Star Casino Resort
Address: 777 Rising Star Drive, Rising Sun
Amenities: Approximately 1,000 slot machines, several progressive table games and varieties of blackjack, along with traditional and crapless craps.
Tropicana Evansville
Address: 421 NW Riverside Drive, Evansville
Amenities: Slots, more than 30 table games with blackjack, craps, roulette and mini-baccarat, eight-table poker room featuring Texas Hold’em and Omaha games.
Indiana Casinos Expected to Offer Online Services
Many of Indiana’s casinos are owned by some of the top national players in the regulated gambling industry and would quickly be able to offer online and mobile online gambling services, if legalized. They include:
Caesars Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino, Horseshoe Casino Hammond: Are both owned by Caesars Entertainment, which also owns the state’s two racinos, Hoosier Park and Indiana Grand. already has successful online casino and operations in other states.
Ameristar East Chicago, Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg: Both are owned by Penn National Gaming, one of the top online casino gaming operators in Pennsylvania. Ameristar is partnered in Indiana with and site DraftKings, which has also launched their regulated online casinos.
French Lick Resort Casino: Is partnered with Rush Street Interactive, which focuses on developing online products and has online casino and sportsbook operations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Indiana Daily Fantasy
There’s some good news to end on if you're a fan of daily fantasy sports betting. This has been legal in Indiana since 2016. Despite the fact that many other states are making or have made this legal (some don't consider it a form of gambling), it’s somewhat surprising that Indiana, given its generally hard-line approach to gambling, has followed suit. This could be taken cautiously as a sign that change is on the horizon. Either way, you can currently play on DFS sites like and in Indiana.
Indiana Casino Mobile Apps
It’s hard to beat the convenience of mobile , which allow players to make wagers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere inside their respective state. Mobile apps are already an integral part of Indiana’s legal sports betting business and would play a similar role if the state were to add online gambling.
In states that offer mobile casino gambling, the apps are generally available for both iOS and Android and can be downloaded for free on the operator’s website or through the App Store.
Games Expected at Indiana Online Casinos
If legalized online casinos become a reality in the Hoosier state, Indiana residents can expect to see the same popular casino games that can be found in the state’s casinos. Among them:
Online Slots: Just as traditional casinos offer an extensive selection, so do , with no waiting for a machine. The casino games are adjusted to your screen and 3D imaging and special effects add to the fun, without lower payout ratios. You will also be able to play , too.
: The most popular casino table game is equally popular online. With no casino space restrictions, more variations of blackjack can be offered with a wider variety of stakes and lower minimums.
Poker: Many of Indiana casinos already offer live poker with a varied selection of and Omaha cash games and daily tournament schedules.
Online Lottery: The Hoosier Lottery uses the state’s nickname as its official name. The state also participates in multi-state games such as Mega Millions and Powerball. At this time, tickets must be purchased in person at retail locations, though new legislation could change that.
Online Roulette: Simple rules make a popular game both at casinos and online. In the online version, an electronic random number generator replaces the physical wheel.
Live Dealer Games: Adds a social element to online table games, with a live person dealing the cards from a studio. The table games are streamed to your computer or online device and you can chat online with the dealer and other players. It’s not clear if regulated online casinos would offer this option as its availability has varied state-by-state in jurisdictions with legal online casinos.
Most of the same used to deposit and withdraw funds available in other states would likely be available for regulated online casinos accounts. Usually you can have these saved to your preferences after your first deposit. Among the most popular:
Play+: A prepaid card usually branded with your casino operator that allows you to make both deposits and withdrawals. Funds are deposited instantly with little or no fees. You add funds to the card with a credit card or bank account.
PayPal/Neteller: The most popular e-wallet options, which store your information and transfer funds to your online account at your request. Low fees and works for deposits and withdrawals.
Cash at casino cage: Any Indiana online casino would likely be required to partner with an existing physical casino in the state. A bettor can simply head to the cashier cage at the casino affiliated with that online partner and present valid ID.
ACH/bank transfer: An electronic connection is established between your bank account and online gambling account. Fees are generally low, but transactions can take several days to process.
PayNearMe: Deposit option using cash at any Indiana 7-Eleven, CVS Pharmacy or Family Dollar.
Credit/debit cards: The most convenient funding option since most people already have one, with deposits processed almost instantly. Some banks treat deposits as a cash advance so fees vary. Generally not allowed for withdrawals. Though legal, some banks may reject gambling transactions.
Casino Bonus Offers Expected in Indiana
Legal online gambling sites generally compete in a competitive marketplace. That means a variety of bonus offers from online operators seeking to sign up new players. Some popular bonus offers:
No Deposit Bonus: Sign up for an account and receive an immediate bonus, usually in the $20-$30 range. You may be required to wager that money at least once before redeeming.
First Deposit Match: Make a first deposit and your casino operator will match that amount up to 100% or more. These bonuses require more play before the bonus money can be redeemed.
Free spins: Sometimes offered to new customers interested in slot play.
Reload bonuses: May be offered to help boost a depleted account or to players whose accounts have been inactive for a period of time.
Rewards programs: Online operators reward existing players by awarding them points, which can be converted to cash or prizes. The number of points awarded is determined by the player’s wagering level and frequency of play.
Indiana gambling was fairly limited historically. That has steadily changed over the past three decades.
Starting with riverboat casinos in the early 1990s, Indiana has steadily expanded and improved its array of retail casinos, giving most Indiana players (as well as those in adjacent states) a short drive to a licensed gaming operator.
Indiana has responded to the changing dynamics in Midwestern gambling and pushed other states to follow suit. Since Iowa began commercial casino gaming with its first riverboats in 1991, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio have all tried to one-up each other with the latest gaming offerings. That has sparked dozens of new casinos and other gaming options.
By quickly launching mobile and in-person sports gambling markets, Indiana has taken a huge leap and should continue its role as a regional gambling leader.
Horse racing was the first sport Indiana residents could legally wager on, with Hoosier Park in Anderson opening in 1994. Indiana off-track betting parlors opened the following year, and Indiana Downs in Shelbyville in 2002.
Indiana became the second state to regulate daily fantasy sports in 2016. DFS operators in the state can offer contests on pro sports, but not amateur events, including college sports.
Sports betting legislation was approved and signed into law in May 2019. At one point, the provision authorizing online and mobile sports wagering was stripped from the bill, but later reinserted. In-person sports betting began on September 1, and DraftKings and BetRivers launched online betting sites about a month later on Oct. 3.
In its first six months of legal sports betting from September 2019-February 2020, Indiana casinos handled $794,234, the fourth highest total in the nation. Only Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania handled more. In February 2020, 78% of all Indiana sports wagers were placed online or on mobile devices. Other states seem to be following in the steps of Indiana, with launching in January 2023.
All Indiana casinos and betting sites, whether they're land-based or online sweeps platforms, have to offer help and support when you need it. As well as customer service reps, you can get contact details for problem gambling organizations, such as GamBlock and Gamblers Anonymous. Additionally, all licensed betting sites have to provide responsible gambling tools. These are things like deposit and betting limits, reality checks, timeouts, and the ability to close your account permanently.
