Thankfully, Indiana has one of the best systems for problem gambling in the nation. It is possible to receive treatment for the condition completely free. For those who are hurting or know someone who is, contact the Indiana Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) as soon as possible. Indiana legislators have approved a wide-ranging gambling bill that legalizes sports betting in the state and allows new casinos in Terre Haute and Gary. Indiana Gaming Commission - Legal Division East Tower - Suite 1600 101 W. Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204. Comments may be inspected, upon request, at the Indiana Gaming Commission at 101 W Washington Street East Tower, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Proposed Rule LSA #20-466.

By modernizing our laws, this legislation will spur positive economic growth for our state and for an industry that employs over 11,000 Hoosiers. I will direct the Indiana Gaming Commission to. The law is firm in Indiana – anything not specifically exempted in the statutes counts as illegal gambling, and while in some cases one might be just charged with a misdemeanor, many acts may qualify as felonies including professional gambling, internet gambling and promotion of gambling activities.

We do understand how exploring legal online gambling for Indiana residents can cause pause. As with the laws of other states, we had expected Indiana's legislature to not yet include anything related to online gambling. This is not the case, as the legalities of online gambling in Indiana are covered by the state's statutes. While they are prohibitive, there is something in the wording that indicates that casual players are not liable for criminal charges for deciding to gamble online. We also want to point out that while citizens are always encouraged to follow the law, there are online gambling sites that accept Indiana gamblers each and every day without penalty. Just remember that laws are up to interpretation, which is why we will provide you with the pertinent statutes related to legal online gambling for USA players.

Mobile NFL Betting in Indiana

Indiana is a state that has a reputation for its passion for basketball but by the way gamblers in the state place bets on the Indianapolis Colts. One of the fastest growing ways to bet on the NFL is via mobile betting. This type of betting allows users to place bets or add/withdraw funds from anywhere in the state as long as the user's phone, laptop, or tablet is connected to a stable internet source. The convenience of mobile betting is what sports gamblers in the Hoosier state like most. Mobile NFL betting has made it possible for Indiana residents to place bets while at Lucas Oil Stadium cheering on the Colts or at a local coffee shop. Using mobile betting features to bet on the NFL you’ll never miss out on the latest odds or futures.

Live NFL Betting In Indiana

The NFL is one sport where the tide of the game can change with one pass, run, or turnover. One of the best ways to take advantage of the momentum swings in football is to use live betting. This form of football betting allows bettors to place their bets as the action unfolds. If a bettors believes Phillip Rivers has a second half comeback in him after being down to the Patriots at halftime this would be the moment to take advantage of the Colts money line odds since they’re behind. Live betting is the only betting feature at legal sports betting sites that allows bettors to see the game first and then place bets during or later in the contest. While Live betting isn’t the most popular way to bet on the NFL in Indiana it will slowly become one of the most common ways to bet on professional football in a couple of years.

Online Gambling Age For Indiana Residents

Before we go into actual laws related to gambling, we will tell you that there are a few age requirements that you must adhere to. These are fairly typical - 18 for bingo, lottery games, and online bingo. For poker and casinos, both online and offline, you have to be 21 years of age. For online sports betting, you also have to be 21. Remember that state law always supersedes the age requirement of a gambling site, so you will have to adhere to the state law even if the gambling site allows for a lower age.

Indiana Online Gambling Laws

If you are going to gamble online in the state of Indiana, you will want to be aware of the laws of your state. If you decide you want to play the games, you will want to read the text of the law. IC 35-45-5-2 states that 'unlawful gambling' takes place when 'an operator...knowingly or intentionally uses the Internet to engage in unlawful gambling.' This is only one law related to online gambling in the state. You will then see that IC 35-45-5-3 states that, and we're paraphrasing, anyone who knowingly or intentionally engages in pool-selling, bookmaking, or maintains a gambling site, or accepts or offers to accept bets or wagers online is committing a class D felony. That having been said, it is not exactly safe to gamble online due to the laws related to gaming.

As you will notice, there is no specific mention of any one type of gambling in the Indiana online gambling laws. In the case of sports betting, this could change in the coming years. Now that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) has been repealed, it is quite possible that Indiana will regulate online, land-based, and/or mobile sports betting. More than half of the United States is expected to offer regulated sports betting by 2023, which means that Indiana residents may have expanded online gambling options in the future.

Gambling Sites That Accept Indiana Residents

Even though the law is not favorable for online gamblers, you will find that there are plenty of gambling options available for players in the state. We have found that you do not have to worry about being rejected very often, as most online gambling sites accept anyone. You are liable under the rules of these laws, so keep that in mind before you decide to begin playing. Our sole intent with sharing these sites is that we want you to be safe if you decide to break the law - not to tell you to actually break the law. This is something we do not condone.

Bovada: One of The Best Online Casinos Out There

Although sports get all the attention on Bovada, let us not forget about the online casino that is up for many bettors to use. Sporting events are so big that sometimes online casino gets lost in the shuffle as a Bovada feature that you can bet on and make good money! You have many options there which include a live dealer. This live dealer will make you feel like you are at an actual casino while you are actually on your computer. With everything being done at home, there is more reason for bettors to sign up for Bovada. All the features you want are just a click away! So don’t waste any more time and sign up as soon as you can! Go To Bovada Now

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Online Casinos That Accept Indiana Residents

Even if the laws in the state are not very friendly toward online casinos, there are still quite a few that will accept you regardless of whether or not you are based in the state. Are we going to recommend you join these sites? No. Committing a felony is never a good idea. What we can say is that sites like Lucky Red and Aladdin’s Gold are reputable if you decide to go ahead and play regardless.

Online Sports Betting Sites That Accept Indiana Residents

If you really think it is worth breaking the law to play some odds on sports, you can turn to any of the online sports betting sites that accept Indiana residents. BetOnline and Bovada have been providing the latest betting odds on popular American sports for well over a decade. Bet on the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana Pacers, or any other popular team all year long!

Online Poker Sites That Accept Indiana Residents

Indiana Gambling Law

As with other forms of gambling, the state laws have not actually eliminated access to online poker rooms. If you feel like ignoring the laws, you should have no trouble joining up with one of the gambling sites we have found. Regardless, online poker sites that accept Indiana residents are out there for you to join and play regardless of the legal complications. The leading online poker room can be found at SportsBetting, just don't blame us if you get in trouble.

Online Bingo Sites That Accept Indiana Players

Bingo players will find that even online bingo is outlawed in the state. You will still be able to play if you want to break the law, something we do not recommend. In the event that you want to try to earn some money, you can do so by way of online bingo sites that accept Indiana players. Downtown Bingo is the most popular site, as there are bingo tournaments, special funding bonuses, cash prizes.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Indiana?

If you are going to gamble online, you will have to find that you cannot do so legally in the state of Indiana. If you wish to engage in any form of gambling, you will find that you could be indicted or arrested for gambling online in the state. We do not recommend or condone breaking the law, so you will want to be careful if you decide you want to take a chance. We are here solely to share with you the laws and where you can safely play if you are actually going to push your luck with online gambling.

Indiana is quite strict with their gambling laws, which makes it hard to say if online gambling is legal in Indiana. IC 35-45-5-3 states that it is illegal for an individual to participate in bookmaking and use the internet for the purpose of collecting bets for profit. While this law could be interpreted to only apply to gambling operators, it truly is up for interpretation. We are not legal experts and would never encourage illegal activity, but we can say that there have been no reported instances of a casual Indiana bettor getting fined for gambling online.

The decision is ultimately yours when it comes to gambling online in Indiana. The sites that we feature on our page are all legal gambling sites that operate in other countries but are able to accept USA players. We have used the sites without issue for years, and if you do opt to place bets on the internet you should use one of these legitimate online gambling sites.

Are Online Gambling Sites For Indiana Residents Safe?

This is a two-part question. The first answer has to do with the legal aspect of online gambling in Indiana, in which case Indiana does have some laws in place to prevent residents from gambling. That being said, internet gambling laws are not typically heavily enforced. Indiana only goes after those who have illegal gambling operations in the state, online or in person. As long as you do not own/operate an illegal gambling establishment in Indiana, you are likely not to be a target. The second part of this deals with the gambling sites you use when playing in Indiana. You want to stick to the reputable sites like the ones we have listed on this page. These sites have a great record for being fair and paying players as they are requested. The casinos have favorable payouts, the sports betting sites have fair odds, and the online poker part comes down to your skill. All the things you would expect to get in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or any other gambling hot spot.

Are Online Casinos Legal In Indiana?

If you want to play casino games, you will encounter the same laws that cover all of online gambling. You will find that there are plenty of gambling sites that accept residents of Indiana, but you will be faced with the same laws that prohibit everything else. The risk of losing at the slots is compounded by the fact that you could even be arrested for doing something that should be regulated at any rate.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Indiana?

While you can replace the lack of online casinos or poker rooms by visiting land-based gambling locations, you cannot do so with online sports betting. This is why sports betting is the most common type of online gambling in Indiana. Being that hundreds of thousands of residents are already betting online and the repeal of PASPA, online sports betting in Indiana may eventually become legal.

Article: Is online sports betting legal in the USA?

Is Online Poker Legal In Indiana?

Indiana residents will find that online poker is also assumed to be banned in the state of Indiana. Again, while not directly cited within the laws it could easily be argued that it is another illegal form of internet gambling. Unfortunately, the law is the law but there are still plenty of poker players that go online and try their hand at Omaha, Texas Hold’Em, and other popular variants.

Horse Racing Betting Sites That Accept Indiana Residents

Even with the laws, Indiana residents have several options when it comes to choosing a horse racing betting site. You can bet on the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont stakes at online racebooks such as Bovada and BetOnline. You will find that horse betting sites also have live horse race streams, horse racing results, and free handicapping tips for all of their members. If you decide to bet on horses online, choose one of the most trustworthy online racebooks.

Indiana Legal Gambling FAQs

What Is The Fastest Deposit Method For IN Residents?

The fastest deposit method that Indiana residents can use is bitcoin. Bitcoin is the cryptocurrency that is now widely accepted at online gambling sites due to its reliability and speed. Unlike credit card transactions, you do not have to worry about your transaction getting declined. Instantly send anywhere from $10 to $25,000 with no additional deposit fees. All you have to do is visit the cashier at the online gambling site and specify the amount that you would like to send. Once confirmed, send the exact amount to the wallet address of the cashier. Within minutes, your gambling account will be credited and you can start using your funds.

How Safe Is Bitcoin For Wagering On Sports?

Without question, bitcoin is one of the safest ways that you can wager on sports. When you use bitcoin you are using your secure wallet to send and receive funds. This means that you never have to divulge checking account information or credit card numbers. Bitcoin is essentially anonymous and you just use your bitcoin wallet address when accepting funds. The currency is also decentralized, which means that you do not have to worry about a bank or other processor interfering with your transactions. When you want to gamble online safely, bitcoin should be your preferred banking method.

When Do Bonuses Get Credited To My Account?

There are two different ways that bonuses will get credited into your account. Most bonuses are credited to your account or a separate free play account and are available immediately. Others will be disbursed incrementally as a way to manage any rollover requirements. Always read the terms and conditions before redeeming a bonus.

Will I go to jail for online gambling in Indiana?

There is a theoretical risk involved in online gambling, and this is the possibility that you could be arrested for online gambling in the state of Indiana. We have not yet heard of anyone being arrested for participating in the games, and it is entirely unlikely that you will not be the test case for these laws. With some luck, these laws will change. If you are going to gamble online, you technically run the risk of being arrested but it is unlikely.

Those who wish to enjoy a responsible gambling hobby in the United States have an uphill climb ahead of them. Proponents of the hobby need to overcome not only the negative stigma associated with casual gambling, but perhaps one of the most confusing legal landscapes to navigate in all the country. Regular gamblers know how fun the hobby can be when enjoyed responsibly, but many prospective gamblers never get to see for themselves due to the high degree of misinformation and bad popular assumptions abound in pop culture at the moment concerning the subject of Indiana gambling laws.

In an attempt to hurt organized crime and racketeering operations back in the 60’s, several federal laws were passed through the Supreme Court that helped to outlaw and criminalize the facilitation of gambling throughout the country while leaving the gambler him or herself well enough alone.

From here, most states add their own legislation concerning the hobby. Most states use the template provided by federal law in shaping their own policies, but each state has unique wrinkles. The purpose of this webpage is to help guide Indiana residents through the confusing legal landscape surrounding a gambling hobby as well as help to steer them towards the safest means of taking part in one possible.

Legality of Gambling in Indiana

The State of Indiana actually expounds upon the federal laws with regards to gambling and goes to the lengths to both define and criminalize gambling. That’s the bad news. Indiana Code chapter 35-45-5-1 section one, heading d defines gambling as “risking money or other property for gain, contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance.” Unfortunately, this is a fairy encompassing definition that eliminates the most popular forms of gambling. Additionally, the same Indiana Code goes on to classify the offense of “unlawful gambling” as a class B misdemeanor, which can land a resident in jail for 180 days and up to a $1,000 fine.

There is, however, good news. Although being caught gambling on land in Indiana does constitute a criminal act, it is not one that is actually prosecuted within the state. In fact, in the entire history of state legislation, no otherwise honest Indiana resident has ever been brought up on charges for merely gambling. While the letter of the law forbids it, the spirit and intent of gambling laws within the state are in place and always have been in place to attack those who would facilitate gambling, not mere participants.

However, this should not be taken to mean that gamblers living in Indiana have free reign with legal immunity when it comes to their gambling hobby. Residents of the Hoosier State need to take special care to not fall into the trap of “professional gambling,” which comes with incredibly steep legal penalties.

Chapter 35-45-5-3 of the Indiana gambling code classifies professional gambling as a Class D felony on just a first offense. This entails anywhere from six months to three years in a state prison, along with a $10,000. Any subsequent offenses are hit with a class C felony, which also carries a $10,000 fine but a jail sentence of up to eight years.

It goes without saying the Indiana residents should be extremely careful to avoid this crime.

What Is Professional Gambling? How Is It Different?

The good news for Indiana residents is that Indiana gambling laws offer several distinctions between what state legislation defines as “unlawful gambling” versus “professional gambling” besides just the hefty penalties attached to the latter and the fact that the former is really not prosecuted within the state.

In order to take part in “unlawful gambling” one must make a bet on a game of chance or some future event over which they have no control (think sports betting, or even betting on the outcome of something like a political race) and in order to place that bet, they have to give the money to someone. That person who takes the money is well on their way to being in the business of “professional gambling.”

Sports Gambling Law In Indiana

How far on their way are they? Merely one stipulation. They must be in a position to make a profit off of the gambling event for which they are taking money. Keep in mind that this does not mean they are winning bets and wagers where the playing field is even for them and other participants, but that they stand in a position to make money even if they do not place any bets on the event.

The most popular means of doing this are by operating a table game as the “house,” (because in table games the house always has the highest chance of winning) operating a sportsbook in which they collect money on losing bets and assume the responsibility for paying out winning bets, or, in the context of a social poker game, either charging admission for the privilege to play or collecting a “rake” from the game. Rake is a small percentage of each pot collected as profit for the host of the game.

Just so long as an Indiana resident can avoid these very specific actions with related to gambling ,they should be able to avoid any and all negative attention associated with their new hobby.

Betting Laws In Indiana

When the federal government passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection act of 1992 which effectively banned the facilitation of all sports betting in the United States, four states were exempt. Unfortunately, Indiana was not one of them. This being the case, there are no land based facilities in Indiana through which a resident may bet on a sports event.

However, the act of betting, just as the act of gambling in general in Indiana is not prosecuted, so if one finds a legal venue to bet, be it in a small group of friends with no “bookmaker” or over the internet, the law should have no cause to take up arms.

With the strict definition of “Professional Gambling” that Indiana endorses, casino games are nowhere to be found on land, at least in a legal, state sanctioned venue. The key work here is “land.” Indiana has sanctioned several riverboat casinos in which a resident may purchase a cruise ticket and spend all their time aboard the boat gambling on all means of casino games.

Still, these are often restrictive means of gambling and come with strict time limits. Indiana residents are already subject to a lax enforcement of gambling law, and are free to use the internet for casino games as well.

Due to the enormous popularity of poker and the money state sanctioned facilities bring in, many states allow room in their legislature for poker games to be allowed by defining them as “games of skill” rather than “games of chance.” Indiana does no such thing, claiming that poker is at least in part reliant on chance, and therefore fall under the definition of gambling.

However, if in Indiana resident deeply wishes to play poker in a casino environment, the riverboat casinos in Indiana are all open for business, and host many poker tables. It’s also worth noting that the Indiana legislation makes many exceptions for what they consider to be “social gambling.” A small poker game amongst friends would certainly seem to fall in this category. For poker in Indiana, while options are not ideal, when you take into account the riverboat casinos, an active social life and the internet, there is no reason a prospective player should not be able to find great poker action somewhere nearby.

Legal Gambling Age In Indiana

If there is one takeaway from long write-ups concerning Indiana gambling laws, it should be this: gambling is complicated in the legal sense. Although it’s possible, it’s really not a situation one should complicate further, therefore, we cannot recommend highly enough that one wait until they are at least 21 years of age before attempting to gamble in any of Indiana's land-based casinos.

If one is caught gambling underage in the state of Indiana, not only will they be subject to any punishments from the state, but whichever facility catches the minor gambling will surely place a ban on that person as well as seizing any winnings or funds already spent in the casino. In order to preserve both their criminal record and their bank account, we strongly recommend Indiana residents avoid underage gambling.

Indiana Gambling Options

On-Land: Although there are no state sanctioned, land based casinos in Indiana, there are several riverboat casinos available to Indiana residents all along the Ohio River. Aboard these boats, gamblers are able to participate in all forms of table games as well as slot machines and even poker. For all intents and purposes, these casinos function identically to any casino in Las Vegas.

For a few hours at least. Upon purchasing a ticket, prospective gamblers are entitled to a full cruise around the river, generally lasting about four to six hours. Although some casinos will allow gamblers to buy consecutive tickets, most will not, meaning your gambling experience is limited to an incredibly narrow window. Still, this is a preferable alternative to states who have no sanctioned gambling at all, and even if the options are narrow, it can still make for a fun afternoon out.

Online/Web-Based: What if someone interested in gambling who lives in Indiana wishes to gamble more frequently for a smaller period of time, or indeed to have the ability to gamble without investing in a riverboat ticket? The answer is on the internet.

Through the advent of legal online casinos, Indiana residents may gamble when, where, and however they like. It has already been established that while gambling in Indiana is technically illegal, it is not a prosecuted crime, which means that as long as Indiana residents are not engaged in professional gambling, they should be safe from the long arm of the law.

Now, one may be wondering how these online gambling networks are able to function legally in Indiana where professional gambling is such a heavy crime. They are able to pull this off by establishing themselves and operating overseas, in countries where gambling is legal. In foreign territories, they are well out of reach of not only Indiana, but federal jurisdiction, providing Indiana residents with a fully legal and legitimate operation through which they can gamble 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

While the thought of gambling with a foreign entity may make some prospective gamblers nervous, there is really no cause for alarm. In order for all of these websites to operate legally in their home countries, they must be certified by reputable international agencies such as the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. This not only assures fair play in all games and wagers with these sites, but efficient, secure, and speedy payouts as well.

Trusted Indiana Online Gambling Sites

Live Sports Betting, Big Poker Tourneys, 24-Hour Casino

When it comes time for you to select the perfect legal gambling site open to Indiana residents, you must take a few key aspects into consideration. To you want to place bets with the most reputable and complete sportsbook in the business? Perhaps you’d prefer access to hundreds of legal online poker rooms with a variety of stakes and tournaments, or maybe even an online casino with all kinds of table games and thousands of different slot machines. As you may have guessed, there’s no need to choose – Bovada has all three!

As the world leader in legal online gambling networks, Bovada has been providing a top notch product will stellar customer service to Indiana residents for well over 20 years. No website carries speedier or more reliable payouts, ensuring that you collect and keep your winnings faster than you can with any other gambling website. As often as once a month, Bovada will even cover all fess associated with a payout, meaning you get the most out of your winnings! Go on and sign up for Bovada, it’s risk free and you’re sure to love it.

Best Overall Betting Sites Taking Indiana Players

Indiana Sports Gambling Law

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Illegal Gambling Indiana

Here at IndianaGamblingLaws.com we do not even pretend to be lawyers. While we are confident that all of the information on this page is accurate, it cannot be considered an official legal consult. If you have additional questions, please establish contact with a lawyer or pay a visit to the state's online legal code database where the exact language of Indiana gambling laws are on full display.