Indiana is one of six states to allow riverboat gambling along with Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri and Mississippi. Gambling boats are legal in state counties contiguous to Lake Michigan, the Ohio River and Patoka Lake and allow house games such as blackjack, poker and craps. In addition, the French Lick Resort Casino hosts similar games while horse racing and parimutuel wagering are also permitted along with bingo, raffles and the state lottery.

Best Betting Sites in Indiana

Gaming Laws in Indiana

Indiana Code Section 35-45-5-2 defines unlawful gambling as a person who knowingly or intentionally engages in gambling, which is “risking money or other property for gain, contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, or the operation of a gambling device.” This is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor in the state.

Furthermore, professional gambling and professional gambling over the Internet is a Class D felony according to IC 35-45-5-3 and includes engaging in pool-setting and/or bookmaking, maintaining gambling devices such as slot machines, conducting lotteries without a license and accepting, or offering to accept, for profit, money, or other property risked in gambling.

Promoting professional gambling according to IC 35-45-5-4 is also a Class D felony and involves knowingly or intentionally owning, manufacturing, possessing, buying, selling, renting, leasing, repairing, or transporting a gambling device, or offering or soliciting an interest in a gambling device, transmitting or receiving gambling information or having control over the use of a place for professional gambling purposes.

Tribal Casinos

There are no tribal casinos currently in the state of Indiana.

Sports Betting in Indiana

Sports betting is not allowed in the state of Indiana in accordance with Code Section 35-45-5-2 that defines unlawful 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.”

Online Sportsbooks

Even though there are no sportsbooks available at physical locations or online in the state of Indiana, bettors still have the opportunity to choose from many offshore options. Online sports betting sites are widely considered to be a much safer option than local bookmakers. In addition to having the convenience of placing bets right from a personal computer or mobile device and a variety of options, online bettors can trust reputable and well-reviewed offshore books to always offer lines and pay out, which may not always be the case for local bookies.

Poker and Casino in Indiana

Indiana has 13 casinos licensed by the state, 10 of which are riverboats. The French Lick Resort Casino is the only land-based casino in the state, including two historic resort spa hotels, a casino and three golf courses as part of a $500 million restoration and development project with a Las Vegas theme. The casino there opened in 2006 and features more than 1,300 slot machines plus table games, including blackjack, poker, craps and roulette.

The Indiana Gaming Commission licenses and regulates riverboat gambling in Indiana and ensures compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and regulations in a manner that promotes the integrity of gaming, and the best interest of the state and its citizens.

Online Poker

Online poker is banned in the state of Indiana per IC 35-45-5-3, which involves public gambling over the Internet. But interested players can still find games at offshore websites.

Other Gaming Options in Indiana

Contests of skill, speed, strength and endurance are allowed if entrants are only awarded prizes while horse racing, bingo, raffles and other charitable games are also permitted.

Indiana Lottery

The Hoosier Lottery began in 1989 after a majority of Indiana residents voted “yes” on a referendum in 1988. The lottery offers hundreds of different games to players and raises money for the state of Indiana and its residents through the support of local police and firefighters’ pensions, the Teachers’ Retirement Fund and the Build Indiana Fund. Total transfers to the state between 1989 and 2013 totaled $4.3 billion.

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