iGaming Industry and Regulation Indiana Gambling
Online Gambling in Indiana: Regulated Sports Betting, Riverboat Casinos, and Offshore Gray Area
Indiana maintains a regulated gambling framework centered on riverboat casinos, sports betting, and the state lottery, but no intrastate online casinos or poker sites operate legally. The Indiana Gaming Commission oversees licensed activities, while the state lottery manages draw games and instant tickets. Offshore platforms accept Indiana residents in a legal gray area, with no documented prosecutions of individual players for participation as of 2026, though authorities emphasize the lack of consumer protections and potential risks on unregulated sites.
Legal Framework for Online Gambling
Indiana Code Title 35 classifies unauthorized gambling as a criminal offense, with penalties targeting operators more severely than players. No specific statutes prohibit individual participation in offshore online gambling, and courts have not applied land-based rules directly to internet play. While operating unlicensed gambling businesses constitutes a felony, player-level enforcement remains absent. Legislative efforts to introduce iGaming have stalled, with no active bills advancing toward regulated online casinos or poker in recent sessions.
Riverboat and Land-Based Casinos
Indiana’s casino industry launched in 1993 with riverboat gambling authorization, overriding a gubernatorial veto. Eleven licensed riverboat casinos operate along the Ohio River, Lake Michigan, and Patoka Lake, including major properties such as Horseshoe Hammond, Horseshoe Southern Indiana, Belterra Casino Resort, and Hard Rock Northern Indiana (formerly Majestic Star). These venues offer thousands of slots, table games including blackjack, roulette, craps, and live poker rooms. Some properties feature retail sportsbooks. No state-sanctioned online casino access exists for residents.
Poker in Indiana
Live poker thrives in approximately 10 casino poker rooms, with Horseshoe Hammond hosting frequent WSOP Circuit events and large tournaments. No regulated real-money online poker platforms are available. Offshore poker sites accept Indiana players, but such activity falls outside state regulation and carries legal ambiguity. No pending legislation targets online poker legalization.
Sports Betting in Indiana
Mobile and retail sports betting launched in 2019 following the PASPA repeal, regulated under House Enrolled Act 1015. Residents access wagering via licensed apps and in-person sportsbooks at casinos and racetracks. Operators include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and others, with a 9.25% tax rate plus integrity fees. Pari-mutuel horse racing continues at Hoosier Park and Indiana Grand (now Harrah’s Hoosier Park). Offshore sportsbooks serve Indiana players unregulated, with no player enforcement reported.
Daily Fantasy Sports Availability
Daily Fantasy Sports gained legalization in 2016 via Senate Enrolled Act 4, classifying contests as skill-based rather than gambling. Major platforms including DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo Fantasy, and others remain fully accessible to Indiana residents without restrictions. Minor technical updates to regulations have occurred, but the market operates stably.
Hoosier Lottery and Other Games
The Hoosier Lottery offers multi-state draws (Powerball, Mega Millions), in-state games (Cash 5, Quick Draw), instant scratch-offs, and fast-play options. Tickets are sold exclusively at licensed retailers—no direct online purchases are authorized, though the official mobile app enables ticket scanning, results checking, second-chance promotions, and personalized alerts. Charitable bingo operates through nonprofit organizations with prize limits, but no state-regulated online bingo exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of gambling are available in Indiana?
Indiana provides riverboat casinos with slots and table games, regulated mobile and retail sports betting, live poker rooms, pari-mutuel horse racing, the Hoosier Lottery, and charitable bingo. No online casinos or poker operate legally.
Is real-money online gambling legal in Indiana?
Regulated online gambling is limited to sports betting; casinos and poker lack authorization. Offshore play occurs in a gray area without individual player prosecutions, though it offers no state protections.
Which offshore sites accept Indiana residents?
Many offshore casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks welcome Indiana players, but participation involves unregulated risks regarding security, fairness, and dispute resolution.