Best Casino In Indiana
However, the Indiana law against online gambling even bans sweepstake casinos from operating within the state. What Types of Gambling Activities Are Allowed in Indiana? At the moment, there are 13 land-based casinos, with two more coming in the future, that hold valid licenses to operate and offer gambling activities to their visitors. Shelbyville Indiana Grand Racing Casino The Indiana Grand Racing & Casino features a casino games and an horse racing. The Las-Vegas style casino features good numbers of slots and electronic tables of roulette 2 reviews.
Contents
The US states are slowly but surely changing their stance on online gambling activities. Recently, Indiana has become one of the states that have regulated and legalized some forms of online gambling. By reading this article, you will get an insight into the current state of online gambling in Indiana.
All forms of gambling activities are legalized on a state-by-state basis in the US. In Indiana, the first attempts at legalizing gambling activities were made in 1988 when the Hoosier Lottery was established. Then came the pari-mutuel betting on horse races in 1989. There were a few fruitless attempts to introduce and legalize casinos. Finally, in 1993, the construction of first riverboat (land-based) casinos was authorized.
Continue reading the article to find out the current legal status of all forms of gambling, which ones are legal, and which ones might become legal in the future. Additionally, we will select a few gambling options we believe will give you the ultimate gambling experience.
Top 5 Indiana Online Casinos
Is Online Gambling Legal in Indiana?
Generally speaking, online gambling isn’t legal in the state of Indiana, with the exception of online sports betting. The first sportsbooks were introduced in September 2019 and online sportsbooks followed just a month later. This gave sports betting fans from Indiana a wide range of sports to bet on.
Even though the online sports betting market is new in Indiana, it’s growing fast. In fact, many sportsbooks are currently operating through mobile apps — there are seven mobile sports betting apps you can use to place bets. We predict more will be coming soon.
Each of these online betting sites and apps has partnered up with a land-based operator. Below, you can take a look at the existing partnership deals in Indiana:
- Ameristar Casino Resort: DraftKings Sportsbook,
- French Lick Resort Casino: Rush Street Interactive,
- Belterra Casino Resort: FanDuel Sportsbook,
- Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg: Kambi,
- Blue Chip Casino: FanDuel Sportsbook,
- Horseshoe Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino: Scientific Games,
- Harrah’s Hoosier Park: Scientific Games,
- Rising Star Casino Resort: BetAmerica, Wynn Resorts,
- Horseshoe Hammond Casino: Scientific Games,
- Winner’s Circle Indianapolis: Scientific Games,
- Indiana Grand Racing & Casino: Scientific Games,
- Winner’s Circle Clarksville: Scientific Games,
- Tropicana Evansville Casino: William Hill,
- Winner’s Circle New Haven: Scientific Games.
While the online sportsbook market is flourishing, online casinos are strictly prohibited. Furthermore, anyone who plays in an online casino is committing a criminal act. That applies to online poker as well. At the moment, the only legal way to enjoy a real casino experience is to go to a land-based establishment.
In some states, an alternative to online casinos is sweepstakes casinos. However, the Indiana law against online gambling even bans sweepstake casinos from operating within the state.
What Types of Gambling Activities Are Allowed in Indiana?
At the moment, there are 13 land-based casinos, with two more coming in the future, that hold valid licenses to operate and offer gambling activities to their visitors. These facilities have a rich selection of top casino games, such as slot machines, blackjack and roulette tables, a few versions of poker baccarat, video poker, craps, etc.
In 2015, a new legislature modified the existing casino law and allowed the state’s riverboat casinos to transfer to land-based facilities on their sites. This was an attempt to help casinos have an edge against other land-based casinos in neighboring states.
The state of Indiana also has a national lottery — the Hoosier Lottery. The lottery includes scratch-offs, draw games, and fast-play games. Any authorized retailer in the state can sell Hoosier Lottery tickets.
Of course, you can’t buy tickets online. What you can do is install the lottery app and create your payslip. However, you will still need to go to a retailer to pay and print the payslip. The state of Indiana also allows charitable gaming and pari-mutuel wagering.
When PASPA was overturned in 2018, states began to legalize sports betting. Land-based casinos in Indiana have opened their doors to sports betting in September 2019, with their online counterparts being launched a month later. A large portion of Indiana’s land-based casinos holds the license to offer sports betting. Players can simply visit a retail sportsbook and place a bet.
Here’s the selection of sports you can bet on in Indiana:
- Football
- College football
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Boxing
- Tennis
- College basketball
- Basketball
- Rugby
- Soccer
- MMA
- Golf
- Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
- Car racing
- Other disciplines
The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) oversees all these gambling activities, apart from horse racing. Wagering on horse racing is legal in Indiana, and it’s regulated by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC). By legalizing sports wagering, Indiana has attracted numerous bettors from neighboring states.
Future of Online Gambling in Indiana
With two more land-based casinos coming in the future, we are hoping to see more sports betting opportunities. Even though, at the moment, there are only sports betting apps players can use, Indiana might follow in the footsteps of other US states that have launched their first online sports betting sites. As far as we are concerned, online sportsbooks have a bright future in Indiana.
Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for online casino & poker platforms. Due to the state’s legal structure, online casinos and poker sites aren’t permitted to operate. If anyone gets caught playing in online casinos, they might suffer some pretty serious consequences.
Therefore, we can’t guarantee that Indiana will change its stance on online casinos and poker rooms. In the meantime, you can always visit one of the land-based options and enjoy an amazing gambling experience.
Where to Gamble in Indiana — Land-Based & Online Options
Anyone who wants to try out some form of gambling in Indiana won’t be faced with a shortage of gambling opportunities. There are plenty of options you can choose from.
Let’s start with land-based casinos that offer a wide range of casino games, poker rooms, and sports betting opportunities:
- Ameristar Casino East Chicago – East Chicago
- Belterra Casino – Florence
- Blue Chip Casino – Michigan City
- Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg – Lawrenceburg
- Horseshoe Casino Southern Indiana – Elizabeth
- Horseshoe Casino Hammond – Hammond
- Indiana Grand Racing & Casino – Shelbyville
- Tropicana Evansville – Evansville
There are still some casinos that don’t have a license for offering sports betting and some that refrain from offering poker rooms. However, there is still a wide range of possibilities for anyone who wants to try out diverse forms of gambling.
Additionally, sports aficionados have the option of betting online on their favorite sports events.
There are seven mobile apps dedicated to sports wagering:
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- BetMGM
- Caesars Sportsbook
- BetAmerica Sportsbook
- PointsBets
Due to Indiana’s laws being so strict, online sports betting sites still haven’t been launched. One thing is certain — sports betting enthusiasts are very interested to see when online sportsbooks will join the gambling market.
FAQ
At the moment, the state of Indiana hasn’t regulated the online casino market. However, given that the number of online casinos in other states is on the rise, Indiana might change its stance on online casinos. If sports betting proves to be a profitable endeavor, it might motivate the government to rethink their decisions.
Best Casino Buffet In Indiana
Online sportsbooks and sports betting apps use special geolocation technology to determine every player’s location. However, you don’t necessarily have to be a resident of Indiana. What matters is that you are located within the state of Indiana when placing bets. That means you can also be a visitor.
Yes, mobile sports wagering is up and running in Indiana at the moment. Usually, all the apps are compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices. Follow the instructions and you will easily install the app and begin placing bets using your mobile device.
If you want to place a bet or partake in any form of gambling, you need to be older than 21. A valid ID is a must.
Unfortunately, the state of Indiana is strictly against online slots. Maybe that will change in the future, but for now, online slots are prohibited.
Introduction to Indiana Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2021
Indiana slot machine casino gambling consists of fourteen commercial casinos, two of which are proposed casinos, as well as one tribal casino.
I’ve dedicated this weekly series to slot enthusiasts such as yourself as you master casino slots and win your way to success by using this State-By-State Online Resource to improve your slots gambling performance by reviewing your state’s slots gaming industry.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Indiana
The minimum legal gambling age in Indiana depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 21
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
Indiana’s 1851 constitution banned lotteries, historically interpreted by courts to mean all gambling. In 1988, Indiana approved a constitutional amendment removing this ban. Within months, cities with economic difficulties had casino proposals including ten riverboat casinos.
In 2007, Indiana allowed horse tracks to have as many as 2,000 electronic gaming machines. Further, the state legislature approved land-based casinos in 2015 and allowed riverboat casinos to move into a land-based casino facility if located on their current property.
The state of Indiana has a federally recognized American Indian tribe. In 2015, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians successfully negotiated a tribal-state compact subsequently approved by the U.S. Department of Interior.
By the compact’s terms, the tribal casino could only have Class II bingo-style gaming machines. In 2018, the tribe opened a casino in South Bend.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Indiana
It is legal to own a slot machine privately in Indiana if it is 40 years old or older.
Gaming Control Board in Indiana
The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) regulates gaming in Indiana.
The IGC has its Gaming Control Division as a law enforcement arm with a primary role to investigate illegal gambling. Enforcement of illegal gambling at bars and taverns is by the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission.
Indiana’s two other gaming commissions regulate the Hoosier Lottery and Indiana Horse Racing.
Casinos in Indiana
Indiana has fourteen commercial casinos including two proposed casinos and one American Indian tribal casino.
The largest casino in Indiana is Horseshoe Hammond with 3,002 gaming machines.
The second-largest casino is Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg with 2,534 gaming machines.
Commercial Casinos in Indiana
Indiana’s fourteen commercial casinos, including two proposed casinos in Terra Haute and Gary, are:
- Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago, 11 miles northwest of Gary.
- Belterra Casino Resort in Florence, 116 miles southeast of Indianapolis on the Kentucky border.
- Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City, 26 miles northeast of Gary.
- Caesars Southern Indiana in Elizabeth, 123 miles south of Indianapolis across the river from Louisville, Kentucky.
- French Lick Resort, 100 miles south of Indianapolis.
- Hard Rock Northern Indiana in Gary – proposed casino with Spring 2021 planned opening.
- Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, 43 miles northeast of Indianapolis.
- Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, 98 miles southeast of Indianapolis on the Ohio border.
- Horseshoe Hammond, 20 miles northwest of Gary.
- Indiana Grand Racing Casino in Shelbyville, 27 miles southeast of Indianapolis.
- Majestic Star Casinos I & II in Gary.
- Rising Star Casino Resort, 105 miles southeast of Indianapolis on the Kentucky border.
- Rocksino at Terre Haute – proposed casino with 2022 planned opening.
- Tropicana Evansville, 169 miles southwest of Indianapolis.
Tribal Casinos in Indiana
Indiana’s tribal casino is Four Winds Casino South Bend, 150 miles north of Indianapolis directly east of Chicago on the border to Michigan. It offers 1,800 Class II competition-style gaming machines alongside live poker tables.
Unique to Indiana, the table game of poker is a skill-based game and, therefore, just another Class II game as players bet against each other and aren’t betting “against the house” or casino.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Indiana slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Indiana is:
- North: Michigan Slots
- East: Ohio Slots
- South: Kentucky Slots
- West: Illinois Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Indiana.
Our Indiana Slots Facebook Community
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Indiana? If so, join our Indiana slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to freely join this closed Facebook Group community.
There, you can meet online and privately share your slots experiences with local slots enthusiasts about playing slot machines in Indiana. Join us!
Payouts and Returns in Indiana
Indiana has no theoretical payout limits. However, monthly and annual return statistics are publicly available for commercial casinos.
Neither theoretical payout nor return statistics are available for Indiana’s tribal casino.
The IGC offers comprehensive annual reports on all aspects of legal gaming in Indiana.
The casino hold percent for each commercial casino is WIN divided by COIN IN. Subtraction from 100% gives the player win percent. Calculate annual win% from p. 43 of the FY 2020 Annual Report. Beginning in 2020, this annual report no longer offers annual win% by slot machine denomination.
Monthly win% is from p. 6 of the pdf, or worksheet Sheet6 of the MS Excel spreadsheet, from Monthly Revenue Reports.
The monthly player win percent for Indiana’s casinos in December 2020 are:
Best Casino In Northwest Indiana
- Ameristar East Chicago: 90.6%
- Belterra: 90.4%
- Blue Chip: 90.6%
- Caesars Southern Indiana: 89.6%
- French Lick: 90.9%
- Harrah’s Hoosier Park: 90.2%
- Hollywood Lawrenceburg: 91.4%
- Horseshoe Hammond: 90.3%
- Indiana Grand Racing: 89.6%
- Majestic Star I: 90.2%
- Majestic Star II: 89.9%
- Rising Star: 89.4%
- Tropicana Evansville: 90.0%
The casino with the highest return in December 2020 went to Hollywood Lawrenceburg followed by French Lick. The casino with the lowest return was Rising Star followed by a tie
Summary of Indiana Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2021
Indiana slot machine casino gambling consists of fourteen commercial casinos, including two proposed commercial casinos, and a tribal casino with Class II bingo-style gaming machines.
Annual Progress in Indiana Slot Machine Casino Gambling
In December 2019, Caesars Southern Indiana moved into its new facility in Harrison county. Further, the cities of Gary and Terra Haute each have a proposed casino.
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Best Casino In Indianapolis
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By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC