Online Sports Betting in Indiana
Published: | Updated:Welcome to safe and legal sports betting in Indiana! Indiana is known for having fantastic basketball skills. The state has produced some of the biggest stars, like Larry Bird and Louie Dampier. If you’re in Hoosier State and ready to start betting on your favorite sports, here’s what you need to know about how betting works in Indiana.
First, Hoosiers must be at least 21 years old to place a bet. This requirement is set by the Indiana Gaming Commission, which regulates all sports betting activities in the state. We recommend everyone also set a betting budget before placing any bet. After creating any betting account, explore the options available under “Responsible Gambling.”
If you meet the age requirement and can afford entertainment, you can place a bet at any licensed land-based or online sportsbook in Indiana. Many land-based casinos in Indiana offer sports betting in an old-fashioned way. But our expertise at OG is the online mobile betting apps that you can flexibly bring along on your phone or laptop:
What do you need to start betting in Indiana?
Firstly, you will need to verify with the operator that you are located in Indiana. It’s essential to stay within state lines as betting laws differ from state to state. Most online sportsbooks use geolocation services to verify your location, so you will need to download an app to verify your area before placing any bet.
Once you’ve been verified as being located in Indiana, you can start betting on a wide range of sports and events. The NFL, NBA, and MLB are all popular sports to bet on. College sports, like football and basketball, are also widely popular. In-game betting and Micro betting, where you can place bets on the outcome of specific plays or events within a game, are also allowed in Indiana.
Betting in Indiana has something for everyone, whether you’re a sports fan or just looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy sports. It’s never been easier to get in on the action with a wide range of events and a large variety of betting options! Check Indiana betting sites below:
Where does the tax money from IN sports betting go?
In Indiana, a 9.5% tax is imposed on sports betting revenue. This money funds state parks, education, health care, and prisons.
10 interesting facts about betting in Indiana
- Legal sports betting in Indiana was legalized in 2019, which Gov. Eric Holcomb signed.
- The Indiana Gaming Commission oversees all sports betting activities in the state.
- Indiana offers sports betting in both land-based and online casinos.
- The Hoosier state is known to produce the fifth-highest number of professional basketball players per capita of any state.
- Betting in IN is expected to bring in $12-20 million annually.
- IN has a 9.5% tax on sports betting revenue from the casinos to help the state.
- The Hoosier state was one of the first to legalize daily fantasy sports (DFS).
- Indiana is one of few states that has banned online casinos and criminalized iGaming (icasino). This might hopefully change soon (2023, maybe?).
- Betting on player trades is not legally approved yet in Indiana.
- Indiana is home to several professional sports teams, including the Indianapolis Colts (NFL), Indiana Pacers (NBA), and the Indianapolis Indians (Minor League Baseball). These Hoosier teams can be bet on at licensed and legal bookies in the state.
What are the most popular sports in Indiana?
The Hoosier State is home to several professional sports teams, including Indiana Pacers (NBA), the Indianapolis Colts (NFL), and the Indianapolis Indians (Minor League Baseball). College sports are also top-rated to bet on, especially football and basketball.
Professional Sports Teams in Indiana
The state of Indiana is home to two major professional sports franchises. The Indiana Pacers (NBA) and the Indianapolis Colts (NFL). The before-mentioned Indianapolis Indians are a minor league MLB team (MiLB).
The Pacers began to play an American Basketball Association (ABA) team in 1967 before joining the NBA when the leagues merged in 1976. The name “Pacers” refers to the state’s storied history with the Indy 500’s pace cars. Indiana has won three championships, albeit all in the ABA, along with nine division titles. Six former Pacers – Reggie Miller, Chris Mullin, Alex English, Roger Brown, Mel Daniels, and George McGinnis – are in the NBA Hall of Fame. The franchise also boats three Hall of Fame coaches, Larry Brown, Jack Ramsay, and Bobby Leonard.
The Colts, members of the South Division of the American Football Conference (AFC South), have origins dating back to 1913. Originally known as the Dayton Triangles, the team moved to Baltimore in 1953 and became the Colts. In 1984, that team was moved in a highly controversial decision to Indianapolis, where they became the Indianapolis Colts.
That decision led to a rivalry with the Baltimore Ravens (formed in 1996) as fans in Maryland never forgave then-Colts owner Robert Irsay for moving the team. The Colts have won two Super Bowls, one in 1970 in Baltimore and the other in 2007 (the 2006-2007 season) in Indianapolis.
College Sports Teams in Indiana
There are plenty of well-known collegiate teams in the state of Indiana. In Division 1 alone, there are 11 programs with sponsored sports ranging from football to basketball to soccer. Those programs are listed below:
- Ball State (Cardinals)
- Butler (Bulldogs)
- Evansville (Purple Aces)
- Indiana (Hoosiers)
- Indiana State (Sycamores)
- IUPUI (Jaguars)
- Notre Dame (Fighting Irish)
- Purdue (Boilermakers)
- Purdue Fort Wayne (Mastodons)
- Southern Indiana (Screaming Eagles)
- Valparaiso (Beacons)
The country’s most popular teams are the Hoosiers, the Fighting Irish, and the Boilermakers. Those schools have combined to win over 40 national championships across their collection of offered sports.
Bets on in-state college teams are allowed and legal. Across the board, the teams and programs above are available for bettors to place wagers on.
Most Famous Athletes from Indiana
- Scott Rolen (baseball)
- DeMarcus Beasley (soccer)
- Don Mattingly (baseball)
- Kenny Lofton (baseball)
- Shawn Kemp (basketball)
- Chuck Klein (baseball)
- Bob Griese (football)
- Ray Ewry (Olympics – High Jump)
- Rod Woodson (football)
- Larry Bird (basketball)
Responsible Gambling in Indiana
You can read more about available RG tools in Indiana here. There is always help to get from the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling. You can also call the National Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700. The call is anonymous, and the phone hotline is available 24/7/365. You can also text the number 1-800-522-4700 or enter the website chat here.
Want to learn more about online casinos and sports gambling? Follow our Online Gamblers Academy and learn how to have fun responsibly!
Yes, sports betting has been legal in Indiana since 2019.
To legally place a bet, you have to be 21 years or older, have a social security number and be located in the state of Indiana. The operator will require you to verify your location with a geolocation program, and you will have to supply documents to verify your identification. Bets can be placed through mobile, desktops or retail shops (land-based casinos, racetracks and more). Read more about Sports betting and learn how to bet on sports.
Yes, it’s legal to bet with licensed operators in the state of Indiana. In addition to sports, you can also bet on daily fantasy sports (DFS) in The Hossier State.
