Indiana online casino gambling is likely on the horizon, but it won’t be legalized in 2023. We can say with confidence the bill will be reintroduced next year, and it could definitely pass in 2024, expanding online gambling in Indiana to a level only rivaled in the Midwest by Michigan.
There’s a lot of information to take in regarding online gambling in Indiana, and specifically Indiana online casinos, and we’re here to help you digest it all. We’ll review the best options, as well as bonus codes, full reviews, and information on how to make the most of your Indiana gambling experience. We’ll also review social casinos, which Indiana players currently have access to while they wait for legal online casinos to make it to market.
Indiana Online Casinos — Which Sites to Expect
With the pending legalization of online gambling in Indiana, players should expect all of the best online casinos in the US to enter the Hoosier State, such as the below. They will most likely offer bonus codes for new players as well, opening up an excellent opportunity to get a headstart when online gambling in Indiana begins. With no lack of options incoming, you’ll be able to find an Indiana online casino that suits your play style.
| Casino | Expected Bonus Code | Sign Up | Earliest Launch |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Casino Indiana | TBA; 100% deposit match up to $1,000 + $25 FREEPLAY® in states where BetMGM Casino is available | Sign Up | 2024 |
| FanDuel Casino Indiana | TBA; Deposit $10, Get 50 Bonus Spins & Get Up to $1,000 Back in states where FanDuel Casino is available | Sign Up | 2024 |
| DraftKings Casino Indiana | TBA; 100% first-deposit match of up to $250/Up to $50 in casino credits/Custom high-roller welcome bonus in states where DraftKings Casino is available | Sign Up | 2024 |
| Golden Nugget Online Casino Indiana | TBA; 100% first deposit match up to $1,000 + 200 free spins in states where Golden Nugget is available | Sign Up | 2024 |
| Caesars Palace Online Casino Indiana | TBA; 100% Deposit Match up to $2,500 + 2,500 Reward Credits on $25+ Wager | Sign Up | 2024 |
Other Indiana online casinos we expect to launch include:
We’ll keep updating this list as the potential landscape continues to take shape.
Play Casino Games for Cash Prizes in Indiana
Players in most of the US, including Indiana, can access online-casino-style and poker-style games through social casinos and sweepstakes casinos. To stay within state law, social casinos must give players a chance to win for free, no purchase necessary.
We’ve compiled a table of the best social and sweepstakes casinos below, along with exclusive new player bonus codes.
of Gold Coins for $10
Here’s our full guide to promotional sweepstakes casinos.
Online Gambling In Indiana At A Glance
Indiana has had quite a history of online gambling, and Indiana online casinos are next on the docket. We’ve put together a quick summary below of how we got to this point.
| Game Type | Indiana Gaming Options |
|---|---|
| Online sportsbook promos | Legalized online sports betting platforms debuted in Indiana in October 2019 |
| Online horse race betting | Betting on nationwide horse racing is available on various mobile apps |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Formally legalized in Indiana in 2016 |
| Social casinos | Funzpoints Casino and other social casinos open to Indiana players. |
| Social poker sites | Global Poker open to Indiana players. |
| Online casinos | Online casinos are explicitly illegal in Indiana; playing on an illegal/offshore online casino is a criminal act in the state |
| Online lottery | Not available in Indiana |
| Online poker | Online poker is illegal in Indiana and playing on any online poker site is punishable by law |
Top Casino Games in Indiana
Although online gambling in Indiana is not yet legal, we can make strong assumptions based on history which games will be the most popular at Indiana online casinos.
Slots
Slots almost always take the top spot on the top casino games list, and this should be no different for Indiana online casinos. There are many reasons why slots are so popular with players both in land-based casinos and online, and we’ve highlighted just some of those reasons below:
- Large Variety: Far and away, online casinos offer the most variety in the slots category. There’s only a select number of table games, but slots offer endless variety in theme, function, and features.
- Jackpot Potential: What other game could you win $500,000+ on with a 10-cent spin? The answer is none. Slots such as Divine Fortune offer massive progressive jackpots that can be won on any spin, adding to the excitement.
- Many Features: Slots offer tons of features, keeping each play session fresh and exciting. Players can trigger free spins, scatters, various bonus rounds, and more on any spin.
- Theming: Whether you’re into Ancient Egypt, Asian lore, or futuristic cyberpunk themes, you can find them all in slots. This allows players to find a game that strongly appeals to them, rather than just sitting at a table.
- Inexpensive: Most video slots can be spun for as little as 10 cents per play. This allows players to get in without spending much of their own money (or any, if you take advantage of bonus codes).
- Bonuses: Most online casino bonuses cater to slot players. That means you can most likely earn extra bonus funds by playing slots. We expect this to be no different at Indiana online casinos.
Expect to see some of the most popular slots available at Indiana online casinos when the market opens, including favorites such as 88 Fortunes, Cleopatra, Wheel of Fortune, and more.
Table Games
Table games are popular for their high return-to-player (RTP) in comparison to slots. This means that players generally have better odds playing table games than they do playing slots. In addition, they allow players to practice higher levels of strategy rather than simply hitting a spin button. All of the most popular table games are expected to hit Indiana online casinos when online gambling in Indiana launches, including:
Keep in mind that this is just the tip of the iceberg, as online table games usually come in multiple variations, offering players unique features and different rules. In many cases, table games at online casinos offer better odds and lower minimum bets than their land-based counterparts, which only adds to their popularity.
Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games are a newer development in the online casino world, and they’ve proven to be extremely popular. These are the closest you can get to an in-person casino experience, which many players enjoy. Most live dealer games are based on table games (live dealer blackjack, live dealer roulette, live dealer baccarat, live dealer poker, etc.), but there are other varieties such as Dream Catcher, which is essentially a spinning prize wheel.
How We Rank Indiana Online Casinos
Our ranking system is in-depth, and has many different facets to ensure we only recommend the best of the best to our players. For Indiana online casinos, the same applies. Here’s just a few things we look at when ranking an Indiana online casino:
- Licensed & Regulated: First and foremost, we start with ensuring that the online casino is licensed and regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission. This government body ensures that all online gaming is safe, secure, and fair. Without these standards, an online casino would not even be considered for our rankings.
- Security & Data Protection: Security and data protection is one of the most important considerations for any online casino, Indiana online casinos included. If a casino is regulated, it will use the same SSL and security encryption standards that online banks use. We check this to ensure the safety of our players.
- Game Selection: Now that the two most important considerations are dealt with, we take a look at the game selection. This includes not only categories of games (slots, table games, live dealer, etc.), but also the variety within those categories. For example, we take a look at how many slots are available, how many different themes within that slot selection, etc.
- Welcome Offers: We search far and wide to find the best Indiana online casino welcome offers and bonus codes for our players. That’s why you can rest assured that all bonus codes you take advantage of on Bonus.com are tested to work and always impressive.
- Loyalty & Rewards Program: While not a necessary puzzle piece to an Indiana online casino, we take a look at what they offer for loyalty and rewards. This can be reward points or a full-blown loyalty program.
- Reputation: Nobody wants to get stuck with a shady operator. The good news is that if an operator is licensed and regulated, they are held to high standards. That being said, we still take a look at the overall reputation of the operator and their other online casino ventures.
History Of Online Gambling In Indiana
Indiana is unique when it comes to state laws on online gambling. The launch of state-regulated, legal online sportsbooks introduced a new era of mobile gambling in Indiana.
However, any other kind of online gambling within state borders should be approached with extreme caution.
Under Indiana law, any other form of online gambling outside of state-regulated mobile sportsbooks is illegal. It is not just against the law but subject to criminal prosecution. This means that playing on offshore casinos, poker, or sports betting sites could result in legal ramifications.
This stance differs from most other US states. In most cases, states place the criminality of unregulated gambling sites on the site’s site’s operators, not the player.
In spite of these strict laws, Indiana joined the ranks of US states to legalize online sports betting in 2019. Governor Eric Holcomb signed legislation in May 2019 to bring legal sports wagering to the Hoosier State.
It’s unknown if Indiana’s new mobile sports betting industry will change the state’s stance on other forms of online gambling. For now, Indiana joins the list of states at the front of the curve of online sports betting legislation in the US.
Indiana’s Live Gambling Industry
Timeline Of Gambling In Indiana
Indiana introduced the first forms of legalized gambling in 1989. This included introducing pari-mutuel horse race betting and the Hoosier Lottery.
That same year, pro-gambling lawmakers also went to work on legislation to bring retail casino gambling to Indiana. These efforts went back and forth for years. Then, in July 1993, the state finally passed the Indiana Riverboat Act into law.
The law allowed riverboat casinos to operate in Indiana. As of 2021, Indiana hosts 14 retail casinos. The language of the Indiana Riverboat Act required Indiana casinos to operate as riverboat properties. However, in 2015, the state relaxed those laws to allow casinos to move into land-based buildings.
These casinos are home to traditional Las Vegas-style games, like slots, blackjack, video poker, baccarat, and craps. In 2019, Indiana legalized sports betting. As a result, nearly all Indiana casinos added sportsbooks to their retail properties.
Indiana Gambling Facts
| FAQ | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Lottery legal in Indiana? | Yes; the Hoosier Lottery offers numerous instant win and draw games tickets for purchase throughout Indiana. Indiana also participates in multi-state lotteries like Powerball and MegaMillions. |
| Does Indiana have casinos? | Yes; Indiana is home to 14 casinos, most of which operate as riverboat casinos under state law |
| Does Indiana have racetracks? | Yes; Indiana is home to two major horse racetracks |
| Where else can I play in Indiana? | Online sports betting is legal on state-regulated platforms, which can be accessed from anywhere within state borders |
| What is the minimum gambling age? | 21 (18 for horse race betting and lottery) |
| Who regulates gambling? | The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) |
Indiana’s Live Casinos
According to the language of the Indiana Riverboat Act, most of the state’s casinos began as riverboat properties. This is because the casinos were situated along the rivers and lakes of the state.
When signed into law in July 1993, the Indiana Riverboat Act permitted the construction of five casinos along Lake Michigan, five on the shores of the Ohio River, and one on Patoka Lake. All 11 of those casino sites still operate as of 2021.
Indiana authorized the state’s two horse racetracks, Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs, to add slot machines in 2007. Both currently operate as racinos (combined casino and racetrack venues) in the Indianapolis area.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians opened the Four Winds South Bend as a tribal casino in South Bend in 2007.
Current Indiana Casinos
| Casino Name | Location | Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|
| Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago | East Chicago | Barstool Sportsbook |
| Belterra Casino | Florence | FanDuel Sportsbook |
| Blue Chip Casino | Michigan City | FanDuel Sportsbook |
| Four Winds South Bend | South Bend | Four Winds Sportsbook |
| French Lick Resort Casino | French Lick | French Lick Casino Sportsbook |
| Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg | Lawrenceburg | Barstool Sportsbook |
| Harrah’s Hoosier Park | Anderson | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Caesars Southern Indiana | Elizabeth | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Horseshoe Casino | Hammond | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Indiana Grand Casino | Shelbyville | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Rising Star Casino Resort | Rising Sun | Coming Soon |
| Bally's Evansville | Evansville | Bally Bet |
Success Of Indiana Casinos
Since the state introduced casino gambling in the mid-1990s, the Indiana casino industry has grown into a multi-billion-dollar market. In a three-year period from 2017-2019, Indiana’s retail casinos brought in more than $2.2 billion in casino win. For the 2022 state budget year from July 1, 2021, and June 20, 2022, Indiana tax revenue exceeded $1 billion. The same period from 2021 generated $958 million in gambling taxes for Indiana.
Horseshoe Casino in Hammond (with its proximity to Chicago), Indiana Grand Casino, Caesars Southern Indiana (formerly known as Horseshoe Southern Indiana), Ameristar Casino, Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Gaming and Leisure Properties, and Caesars Entertainment all have a major presence in the Indiana casino industry, the last two each owning four casinos in the state.
More On Indiana Gambling
Indiana Online Casino FAQs
Yes. Indiana legalized riverboat casino gambling in 1993. Indiana is home to 14 casinos, most of which still operate as riverboat casinos.
Indiana amended state laws in 2015 to allow riverboat casinos to move ashore. However, the new land-based casino facilities must be located on the original property where the riverboat casino was moored.
The state’s two major horse racetracks added casino gaming in 2007. These two racinos and the tribal casino Four Winds South Bend are the only Indiana casinos not situated along the water.
21 and over. They can also wager on sports via the state’s legal, regulated sportsbooks. The minimum age for the Hoosier Lottery, horse race betting, and Daily Fantasy Sports is 18.
Minors can enter Indiana casinos but are not allowed to loiter on the casino floor, play, or consume alcohol.
Yes, but the only legal form of online gambling in Indiana is betting on state-regulated sportsbooks.
All other forms of online gambling are not only illegal but are criminalized in Indiana. Any kind of play on online casino or poker platforms are subject to penalty by law.
As such, playing on offshore online casino or poker sites should be avoided.
Any gambling winnings derived from a casino, online sportsbook, horse race bet, or the state lottery is subject to the Indiana personal income tax rate of 3.23%. It is the responsibility of the player to report all gambling winnings.
Note that this 3.23% is the state tax rate owed on gambling winnings. The federal tax rate for gambling winnings over $5,000 is 24%.
For more on Indiana gambling tax laws check out this link.
Yes. Indiana legalized both live and online sports betting in May 2019.
Players can wager on mobile sports betting from anywhere within state borders. These online sportsbooks use geolocation technology to determine a user’s location.
Online sports betting on offshore sites, or any site not regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission, is criminalized in Indiana. See our Indiana Sports Betting Promo guide for more information.
The Indiana Gaming Commission. The IGC, a government agency, oversees and regulates Indiana’s legal casino industry.
The IGC regulates all casino gaming conducted at a legal Indiana casino. The agency also regulates all sports betting, at retail sportsbooks or regulated mobile platforms.
About the Author
