Gambling Laws in Indiana

Indiana classifies many forms of gambling as legal, but a few activities remain prohibited. While recent changes to the law have made offline and online sports betting legal, online casino gambling is still forbidden.

Which Gambling Activities are Legal in Indiana?

Laws are laid out in the Indiana Code sections 35-45-5-1 and 4-31-1-1 and the Indiana Gaming Division regulates the gambling industry.

The activity is defined by the state as 'risking money or other property for gain, contingent upon lot, chance, or the operation of a gambling device'. This means that everything that could fall under the broad definition of gambling is deemed illegal unless otherwise specified.

Online and Land-Based Casino Games

Gambling in casinos is legal in Illinois and began in 1993 when legislation was passed to permit riverboat casinos. Land-based establishments were then allowed in 2015. Venues currently available include six riverboats, four land-based casinos, two racinos and one tribal casino. Between them, these venues offer the full range of all the best casino games, including slots, traditional tables and bingo.

Online casinos are illegal in Indiana, with the state being one of only a few that specifically mentions the activity in its legislation. Despite this, many offshore sites still accept players from Indiana.

Playing Poker With Real Money

Playing the game in a land-based establishment is legal but only via one of the licensed venues. This includes the larger casinos and a few charitable organisations' poker rooms. Playing real money games at unlicensed venues, including private residences is illegal though.

Online poker gambling is also illegal with the state not permitting card games at all. Whether they are classed as games of chance or skill (technically, all card games are deemed games of chance in Indiana). This sees many residents flocking to other USA online casinos at their own risk, to partake in games and satellites.

Bingo Gambling

You can play bingo for real money but only at licensed venues or permitted charitable events. Whilst online bingo gambling has always been illegal in the state.

Purchasing Lotto Tickets

This activity has been legal in Indiana since 1988 after residents voted to overturn a ban in 1851. It's possible to buy draw tickets for local and national lottery games, scratch cards and instant games at any Hoosier Lottery retailer.

Although Hoosier has a website, it serves just as a results-checking facility and retailer locator and online lottery casinos are not permitted.

Social Gambling at Home and Online Crypto Casinos

Any form of social gambling involving real money that takes place outside of licensed premises is illegal in Indiana. That means even home-based games of poker are not permitted.

Lootboxes and skins gambling are unregulated, but both could be construed as forms of gambling under existing legislation.

Regarding cryptocurrencies, Indiana recognises that virtual coins hold monetary value, but they are not legal tender in the state. Those wishing to play at an online casino that accepts Bitcoin or gamble with any other cryptos will have to sign up at an offshore site.

What Are the Laws on Sports Betting in Indiana?

Both offline and online sports betting have been legal since 2019. Some 13 sportsbooks offer their services via land-based operations or online via a website or app (or both). Markets cover most mainstream sports and DFS, but eSports betting is currently not available. The main providers in Indiana include the popular FanDuel and DraftKings.

Horse race betting on a parimutuel basis has been legal since 1989. The state's two racetracks, Harrah's Hoosier Park and Horseshoe Indianapolis, offer betting on live races. Due to their racino statuses, they are legally permitted to host some casino-style games. Off-track betting (OTB) is also legal in Indiana.

Gambling Age Restrictions

The Indiana gambling age is split depending on the type of activity. Those aged 18 or over can bet on the lottery, bingo, daily fantasy sports and horse racing. While those aged 21 or over can legally play casino games and bet on sports.

Indiana Gambling Tax Regulation

Currently, all winnings from any type of gambling are taxed as income at 3.23% for residents.

History of Gambling Laws in Indiana

These date back to 1851 when a ban on lotteries was implemented, which many considered a ban on gambling in general. This was finally lifted and the Hoosier Lottery launched in 1988 after a constitutional vote.

Parimutuel horse race betting was legalised in 1989 and riverboat casinos were legally permitted from 1993. New laws passed in 2015 expanded upon existing casino legislation to allow the building of land-based casinos.

2019 saw the legalisation of online and offline sports betting in the state.

Key Facts

• Casino gambling is legal in Indiana, but only at the state's licensed venues.

• Online casino gambling is illegal.

• Poker gambling is legal but only at licensed venues.

• Online poker gambling is illegal.

• Bingo gambling is legal, with most games run by charities.

• Online bingo gambling is illegal.

• Lottery gambling is legal via the Hoosier Lottery, but online ticket sales are illegal.

• Both online and offline sports betting is legal in Indiana.