The state of Indiana is an excellent place for gambling fans. Home to several established casinos, as well as two horse tracks, Indiana is the perfect gambling holiday destination, with a choice of large resort hotel-casinos and riverboat casinos.
History of gambling in Indiana
Prior to 1993, there were no legal casinos in the Hoosier State. It was the Indiana constitution of 1851 that first banned gambling across the state. However, this all changed in 1993, thanks to the Indiana Riverboat Act. In order to drive tourism, the act permitted riverboat casinos. Vessels, on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan, became increasingly popular with both tourists and locals alike. The rules relaxed after a few years, and from 1999 a greater number of land-based casinos were in operation in Indiana. From the start of the 21st century, many of the original casinos moved to land-based properties where a handful of new venues also opened.
In 2019, both online and offline sports betting became legal in Indiana. It is now one of the foremost gambling states in the Midwest. Currently, the state has eleven casinos, as well as two horse tracks. The Indiana Gaming Commission regulates all state gambling and casinos.
Is gambling legal in Indiana?
Various types of gambling are legal in Indiana. Legal gambling in the state includes lotteries, charity gambling (such as bingo and raffles), slot machines, and table games. Sports betting and paid fantasy sports betting are also legal in Indiana. Those looking to bet at a race track can either wager at a horse track, or they can make an OTB (off-track bet). While it is not possible to bet in a live dog race, as there are no dog tracks in the state of Indiana, it is possible to make off-track bets on dog races. Indeed, sports betting is legal both online and offline. However, online casino gambling, such as slots and table games, is not currently legal in the state.
Popular gambling games in Indiana
The most popular gambling games in Indiana include slots and poker. Both sports betting and horse track racing are popular types of gambling in Indiana.
Is online gambling legal in Indiana?
It is perfectly legal to make an online sports bet in Indiana. Residents of the state can also play sweeps poker online legally at Global Poker.
However, it is not legal to gamble on slots and table games at an online casino in the state of Indiana. Hopefully online casinos will become legal in Indiana soon.
Indiana gambling laws
State legislatures vote on Indiana’s gambling laws and the Indiana Gaming Commission enforces all laws relating to gambling. One of the most significant laws is that Indiana residents cannot play at online casinos while players must be over 21 to engage in any types of gambling in Indiana.
The benefits of gambling in Indiana
There are plenty of reasons to get excited about gambling in Indiana. The state is home to some of the best casinos in the Midwest. This includes the French Lick Casino in Hoosier National Park, a historic hotel with a natural spa. The French Lick resort has been home to an excellent casino since 1993. Additional benefits of gambling in Indiana include the chance to visit one of the state’s famous riverboat casinos, such as the Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg.
Gambling in Indiana also gives players the chance to visit the state’s biggest casino; Horseshoe Hammond. It’s home to a popular poker room, a high-limit floor, two Asian casino rooms, and a VIP lounge. The Horseshoe Hammond also offers a Vegas-like experience, right on Lake Michigan. It’s also got more slots than any casino in the Chicagoland area, with over 1500+ penny slots.
The cons of gambling in Indiana
Not everything about gambling Indiana is ideal. With only 11 casinos at the time of writing, it has one of the lowest per capita numbers of casinos in the USA. There are no dog tracks in Indiana either, which is unfortunate for those who enjoy live dog racing. The most restrictive aspect of gambling in the state is that residents of Indiana cannot legally access online casinos.
Always gamble responsibly
Whether you’re gambling at one of the state’s casinos, the horse tracks, or via a sports book, it’s important to gamble responsibly. Residents who feel they have a gambling problem should contact the Indiana Problem Gambling Help website, or call Indiana Problem Gambling Hotline on 1-800-994-8448.
Summary of gambling in Indiana
The Hoosier State offers plenty of gambling opportunities. While there are nowhere near as many casinos in the state as there are in Nevada or New York, there are still plenty of choices. Indiana is home to 11 casinos as well as two race tracks. Many Indiana casinos are renowned, such as the Horseshoe Hammond or the French Lick. Residents can enjoy sports betting, both on and offline. It’s also likely that online casino playing will soon be legal.