Gambling Laws in Indianapolis, Indiana: Everything You Need to Know

Gambling laws in Indianapolis are regulated by Indiana Code 35-45-5-1 and following. Learn more about legal gambling age, sports betting regulations and more.

Gambling Laws in Indianapolis, Indiana: Everything You Need to Know

Gambling in Indianapolis, Indiana is regulated by Indiana Code 35-45-5-1 and following. The legal age for betting on casino games and sports betting is 21, while the minimum age for lottery, horse racing betting, DFS contests and charity bingo is 18. Betting on high school, e-sports, and youth amateur sports events is prohibited by law. The tax rate for operators is set at 9.5% of gross sports betting revenues. Mobile sports betting is expected to begin in September, but only existing land-based facilities can offer it. Indiana has a progressive set of gambling laws, with the legal age to play varying from 18 to 21 depending on the type of game.

Ten land-based or riverine casinos on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River, a land-based casino in French Lick, and Los Racinos on the state's two racetracks are authorized by law. Sports betting has a unique charm in Indiana, as it is one of the few states that have adopted it. The Indiana Gaming Commission requested its own study to assess the financial prospects of legal electronic gaming in the state. The legal gambling age in Indiana doesn't allow people under 21 to enter their casinos due to alcohol being a fundamental part of the experience. Proposition bets are also allowed in Indiana, such as betting that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett throws four touchdown passes against the Atlanta Falcons in the third week of the NFL regular season.

In addition to major leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, the Indiana Gaming Commission has approved betting on events such as professional boxing, golf, soccer, tennis and auto racing. Rising Star Casino in Rising Star, Indiana, and the Majestic Star Casino in Gary have been allowed to place sports betting. The latest news is that the Indiana legislature wants to raise the minimum age to 21 for all forms of gambling. Online poker and online casino gaming may be legalized in the coming years. Indiana players have plenty of options for entertainment, from the lottery to mutual betting and from commercial operations to those of tribal casinos.

However, Indiana Casino revenues have declined for the third consecutive month.