Guide to Gambling in Indiana

Like most states in the USA, Indiana has steadily relaxed its laws on the types of gambling it’s happy to tolerate within its borders. Up until the 80s, there weren’t many forms of gambling that were legal at all, however, after catching on to the economic benefits of being a gambling state, and after seeing the huge sums of revenue its neighboring states were generating each month, it would only be so long before Indiana decided it needed a piece of the pie.

While policy amendments have been rolled out much more slowly compared to other US gambling states, Indiana has been thorough and clear in how it defines unlawful gambling, and it's taken the time to make sure anyone who lives or visits the state still has a range of exciting gambling opportunities at their disposal.

Indiana Gambling Laws

Indiana state legislation defines gambling as “risking money or other property for gain, contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, or the operation of a gambling device.”

Indiana’s gambling laws prohibit most live gambling forms bar Riverboat gambling and horse racing. Because Indiana’s Native American tribes have sovereignty over the lands, any gambling establishments owned and operated by these tribes are exempt from Indiana’s standard gambling laws and are instead governed by the federal Indian Regulatory Gaming Act. The games that are legal in these establishments are games of skill like blackjack and poker, plus charitable games such as bingo, scratch cards and raffles.

While Indiana laws are very succinct when it comes to live casino gambling, riverboat casinos have used the outdated framework of the legislation as a loophole to operate legally. Before grey areas in the law were discovered, riverboat casinos were required to leave shore and then return soon after. Now, however, riverboats can be permanently docked to a port.

Apart from the following exemptions, all gambling is forbidden in the state of Indiana:

• Pari-mutuel wagering
• State and multi-state lotteries
• Sports betting
• Daily Fantasy Sports
• Riverboat gambling
• Slot machines at racetracks

If a resident of Indiana is found to be gambling illegally, this counts as a Class B misdemeanor and could lead to a fine or jail time. Even though it’s not legal to gamble online or set up an online gambling operation in Indiana, there has never been a case where a player has been prosecuted for gambling at a off-shore casino site. It is heavily frowned upon though, and as these sites aren’t regulated, they can can be extremely risky.

Indiana is rated at number 18 in the USA for offshore casino gambling. It sits just above Wisconsin and one position behind Colorado. Off-shore gambling in Indiana is said to equate to more than $15.1 billion in wagers every year. The state with the highest number of off-shore wagers is California, with an estimated $180 million collected each year.

Deposit Options at Indiana Gambling Sites

Online casinos are not permitted in Indiana but sports betting sites and social gaming sites are. If you want to place wagers on your favorite sporting events, you can with a range of available payment methods. State-licensed sportsbooks accept all major debit and credit cards, e-wallets like PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill, wire transfers, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies. Some sites also accept bank checks.

Do note that most deposits are instant for sportsbooks and regulated gambling sites, but most withdrawals options can take a few working days to process. You can speed the withdrawal process up by ensuring you have the correct documentation and proof of identity to show to the accounts team upon submitting your request.

Indiana Casinos

Thanks to the new 2007 and 2015 amendments to the state legislation, Midwest gamblers and residents are now able to access several live casinos in Indiana. At one point, only the state’s riverboat casinos on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River were able to operate table and slot games, but now, land-based casinos can also offer casino gambling, entertainment, and top-class dining options.

What is most convenient for residents and visitors is the fact that most of Indiana’s land-based casinos are located just outside of Chicago. The Ameristar Casino is situated only 25 minutes away from downtown Chicago; a venue that oozes luxury and decadence throughout its casino floor, hotel, and entertainment venue. Add an extra 10 minutes onto your journey and you’ll arrive at the Majestic Star Casino (formerly Trump Casino), which is open 24/7, offers a fantastic range of games, and runs shuttles to and from Chinatown to the casino directly.

Indiana Poker

Poker is available at Indiana’s live casinos, but online poker is prohibited. The good news is, residents and visitors can take part in online sweepstakes poker at sites like Global Poker. This is the world’s largest sweepstakes poker site, and it operates in exactly the same way as a standard sweepstakes casino.

To take part in any games, players can buy “Gold Coins” to use as play money on Global Poker’s games collection. These coins can also be exchanged and redeemed for cash prizes. The coins are awarded to players as a gift because Indian’s gaming laws prohibit them from being purchased directly.

Indiana Sports Betting

Sports betting became legal in Indiana in 2019, after the state jumped on the bandwagon with several other states following the dissolution of PASPA. Since sports betting opened up, its drawn some massive crowds to various sports facilities and casinos that are licensed to operate sportsbooks. Online wagers are also accepted at top sports betting sites like FanDuel and DraftKings.

Sports bettors and enthusiasts have wagered over $4 million since online and retail sports betting became legalized. Indiana has been ranked as one of the top five states for sports betting in the whole of the US, and has shown itself to be a consistently competitive marketplace with dozens of successful sports betting providers. Since the new laws were brought in, Indiana’s casinos have each been permitted to enter into partnership with up to three online-based sports brands. As a result of these team-ups, the state’s sports betting industry is flourishing.

Indiana Daily Fantasy Sports

FanDuel and DraftKings are the most popular DFS wagering platforms that are a huge hit with US players. At this moment in time, daily fantasy sports is legal in 21 states, and this number is continuing to grow as each one adopts a more relaxed approach towards this form of gambling as a whole.

Believe it or not, Indiana was the second state to legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports. This was all thanks to former governor of Indiana and the USA’s 48th Vice President, Mike Pence. Back in March 2016, a year before Donald Trump was inaugurated into office, Pence signed Bill 338 into law to make DFS an officially legal pastime.

Due to the state’s attitude towards online gambling, the approval of this bill was a significant turning point for gambling in the eyes of Indiana players. Unsurprisingly, both FanDuel and DraftKings are the DFS brands leading the market.

Indiana Lotteries

Indiana does have a state lottery called the Hoosier Lottery, but online ticket purchases are not permitted at this moment in time. However, according to the Indiana Business Journal, the state is looking at the possibility of amending the laws so that the lottery may run online. Instead of needing to visit a kiosk or retailer, this would give players the freedom to purchase these tickets online or through a mobile gambling app. The games would include the state lottery and games with instant win prizes.

Like many other states, Indiana residents are also able to take part in multi-state lotteries like the Powerball and Mega Millions. Again, if all goes to plan, players will eventually be able to purchase tickets for these lotteries online as well. State neighbours Kentucky and Illinois have already allowed online tickets, which so far has greatly boosted revenues and ticket sales.

Indiana Esports

According to Indiana law, sportsbooks are prohibited from posting lines and accepting wagers on esports competitions. It’s unclear as to why the state frowns upon esports when DFS and sports betting is legal, but it is presumed to be motivated by the high risk of wagering on such events, particularly as it’s a form of gambling that’s still in its infancy. So far, Indiana is the only US state to enact such laws for sports betting under these provisions.

Indiana Bingo

Indiana is home to over 600 bingo halls and parlors. There is at least one in most towns, and many more in surrounding cities as well as Indianapolis. Bingo comes under the state’s charitable gaming laws, which means all proceeds go towards educational, religious, or general public causes. It’s also a popular means of entertainment for the elderly. Keno machines are also available to play in Indiana and you can find these at both racetracks and riverboat casinos. Online bingo is prohibited.

Indiana Horse Racing

There are two large-scale horse racing tracks in Indiana. One is situated in Indiana Downs near Shelbyville and the other is located in Hoosier Park, Anderson. These tracks haven’t been established for very long, but are already proving to be a hit with residents and visitors thanks to its first-class facilities and regular events. Many horse racing enthusiasts and horseman also flock here to watch and partake in the action each month.

The oldest out of the two tracks is Hoosier Park, which was built in 1994. The venue hosts a number of high-profile races, including The City of Anderson Stakes, the Indiana Breeder’s Cup, and the Indian Stallion Stakes. Indiana Downs was established in 2002, and features two race tracks designed for both thoroughbred racing and standardbred racing events.

Indiana Tribal Casinos

At current, Indiana only has one tribal-operated casino. Opened in early 2008, The Famous Four Winds Casino South Bend offers bingo, slot machines, and other types of Class II games. There are two commercial casinos in the state that are owned by Native American tribes. One is the Hark Rock Casino Northern Indiana, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe; the other is Caesars, which in 2021 was sold to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. While Fourstars is regulated by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the two commerical casinos are governed by the state.

Land-Based Casinos in Indiana

As mentioned, Indiana is predominantly known for its Riverboat casinos. These floating casino and hotel venues make the state millions in revenue each year, and they have upheld their reputation as one of Indiana’s biggest tourist attractions for the last couple of decades. If you’re thinking of paying a visit to the Hoosier state, here is a detailed list of the casinos you’ll certainly want to pay a visit to during your stay:

Four Winds South Bend Casino

Four Winds South Bend Casino’s long-time motto is “Ask and you shall receive” which some people may take too literally when it comes to winning. This casino is famous for being Indian’s first Native American casino, and it’s still the only one that is operated as a tribal casino. The venue is home to 1,800 slots and bingo machines and 10 poker tables. There is also a poker room with live dealer games available. At the other side of the casino, guests can dine away in four restaurants, enjoy a drink or two at the venue’s three bars, and make use of the casinos other great amenities. As the establishment is regulated by the Indian Gaming Act, smoking is strictly prohibited.

Ameristar Casino & Hotel East Chicago

Ameristar Casino is a 56,000 square-foot venue that houses over 1,700 slots and 2 tables offering various classic table games. There is also an adjoining 288-room hotel and restaurant with affordable meals and drinks options. As the venue is a riverboat, some guests may find the lack of space a bit intimidating, but its certainly worth a visit if you want to experience a real slice of Indiana gambling culture.

Horseshoe Casino Hammond

On the other end of the scale is the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, which is massive in comparison to the Ameristar. This riverboat casino is located on Lake Michigan and offers a 10,000 square-foot gaming floor with 3,002 slot machines, 103 tables games, and a 34-table poker room. And that’s just the casino floor! Guests will also find a steakhouse with buffet on the top level, plus a bar and smoking area. It’s one of the most popular riverboat casinos in the state, which means it can get extremely busy on weekends.

Belterra Casino Resort

The Belterra Casino Resort on the Ohio River features a 12-story hotel complete with multiple restaurants renowned for delicious, well-priced cuisines that guests can take their pick from. The gaming floor is positioned to provide idyllic views of the Ohio River and offers patrons a collection of 1,300 slot machines, video poker machines, and high-stakes poker rooms. The atmosphere is said to be extremely relaxed in this venue, and the staff are helpful and highly attentive when it comes to guests and making sure they have a night to remember.

Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa

This hotel holds everything on one single floor, and features a 65,000 square foot gaming area with 1,946 slots and 50 tables – 8 of which are poker tables. Patrons also have a range of dining options to choose from, and the venue even features a swimming pool, gym, spa, and performance centre. Nearby are other amusements and amenities including a shopping mall, microbrewery, and winery. Chicago is only an hour away if you decide to venture further.

French Lick Casino Resort

The French Lick Casino Resort is tiny in comparison to the other casinos in Indiana, but no less entertaining. It’s renowned for being a super fun casino that is immaculately clean and well maintained. Inside are a bunch of slots and other electronic gaming machines, plus 37 table games, and a few poker tables.

Indiana Gambling FAQ

Is it legal to gamble at a casino in Indiana?
Yes. Riverboat casino gambling has been legal in Indiana since 1993. Land-based casino gaming is also legal here, but the majority of casino establishments are not situated on land. Horse racing is also legal in Indiana and casino games were added to the state’s two venues in 2007. These two racetracks as well as the tribal-owned Four Winds Casino South Bend, are the only three gambling facilities that are not based on water.

What is the legal minimum gambling age in Indiana?
The minimum age to gamble at land-based casinos and riverboat casinos in Indiana is 21. If you want to wager on horse racing, daily fantasy sports, or purchase a lottery ticket, you must be at least 18 years of age.

Will I need to pay taxes on my winnings in Indiana?
According to the Internal Revenue Service, all gambling winnings acquired in Indiana are considered taxable income.