Gambling Laws In Indiana

With the all-encompassing federal laws which regulate and/or prohibit gambling across the United States such as the Federal Wire Act and the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), there are a number of state laws which further regulate gambling on their own. Indiana is one of these states and the Indiana gambling laws make a clear definition of what is allowed, and what is prohibited. The State of Indiana has taken it upon itself to enact legislation which goes into detail on what residents of the state may or may not do when it comes to betting on a game of chance or skill. Federal laws prohibit the business of facilitating bets for profit throughout the country with minimal exceptions provided, but they do not inhibit a casual gambler from the act of simply placing a bet. Indiana follows the lead of U.S. law to expound upon those facts.

We know this all sounds confusing but this guide to the gambling laws in Indiana should help clear up some of the confusion. We do not claim to be lawyers, just avid gamblers with real-world understanding of how the laws are implemented and enforced. The information given within this guide does not qualify as legal advice and it is always recommended that anyone reading this page to consult an Indiana licensed attorney if they need more help. Additionally, all of the gambling laws mentioned on this page can be directly referenced on the Illinois state legislature's website.

Legality of Gambling in Indiana - Is It Legal?

In the state of Indiana, the definition of "Gambling" can be found in the state's code under IC 35-45-5-1(d)(1)(2). This defined act, when committed under the wrong circumstances, is unlawful in the Hoosier State and is a Class B misdemeanor but the language implies that there are certainly legal exceptions, as indeed there are. Gambling is regulated in the state of Indiana, not outright prohibited. It is also important to note that there is a major difference between ‘Gambling’ and ‘Professional Gambling’ (IC 35-45-5-3) as both carry different definitions and charges.

Indiana also is one of the few states to bother to mention the internet in regards to gambling within its legislation. Again, as is the case with federal law, ‘Professional Gambling’ (the act of facilitating bets for profit) is strictly prohibited and Indiana gambling laws make certain to include the internet for such unlawful activities. What is important for residents to note from this section of the legislation however, is that it only applies to gambling sites located within the borders of Indiana. This is a pretty massive fact of importance as it means that the social gambler is not affected by the state law provided that they use an online gambling site which is located outside of Indiana jurisdiction.

Exceptions to many of these laws exist through the state’s licensed casinos, racinos and of course the Indiana state lottery. The Hoosier State has only recently began to legalize and regulate gambling and appears to celebrate the decision with an annual tax revenue of over $646 million per year. Las Vegas styled casinos can be found with table games, live poker and slot machines, however they are primarily located on riverboats which line the Ohio River on the southern border of the state. Sports betting is prohibited in the state along with most others in the nation, as the federal legislation of PASPA strictly forbids the act aside from 4 states which are exempt.

Land-Based Gambling In Indiana

Due to the legalization of gambling in recently passed legislation, Indiana offers quite a few land-based betting opportunities. The majority of the state’s 13 land-based casinos are actually located on the water housed in riverboats. 5 exist on the Ohio River on the southern borders of the state while 3 are located on the shores of Lake Michigan. The casinos offer all forms of gambling ranging from table games, slot machines, video poker and even live poker. One may not find legal land based sports betting located anywhere in the state. Indiana also has two racinos where bettors may take part in pari-mutuel betting in horse races as well as live poker, slots and electronic gaming machines. The nearest major casino to Indianapolis is the Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville which is a massive Las Vegas-style establishment with over 233,000 square feet of gambling and entertainment.

Online Gambling In Indiana

As discussed earlier on this page, Indiana does have language in its laws regarding gambling over the Internet. It is specific in that it outlaws operating a gambling business or facilitating bets for profit within the state’s borders. It does not, however, prohibit Indiana residents from visiting sites which facilitate bets. The solution then, if one wishes to gamble online, is to simply visit a site located outside both Indiana and U.S. jurisdiction.

There are a number of online gambling sites which offer every form of wagering whether it be casino games, poker or even sports betting and they are entirely legal for Indiana residents to use. These sites are typically based in the United Kingdom, Europe, South and Central America and the most popular, Canada. They are legitimate businesses which are used my many millions across the globe as well as Americans looking to place bets under the rules of PASPA and the Federal Wire Act. Indeed, even many folks in Indiana use these sites to much success receiving payouts for winning bets regularly delivered in check form to their home addresses right here in the state.

Popular Gambling Options In Indiana:

Online Sportsbooks - Online Casinos - Online Poker

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One particularly successful online gambling site is Bovada.lv which is located in Canada, just outside of Montreal, Quebec. The site originally began as American company Bodog and only moved its location to the great white north after federal legislation forced a move for legal operation. With nearly two decades of perfecting its service, Bovada has a long list of positive user testimonials and endorsements from many major American companies such as CBS Sports and USA Today as well as their sports betting lines and odds being referenced by such giants as ESPN when reporting on favorites and underdogs.

This online gambling site features all major forms of wagering from casino games, multiple poker rooms, horse racing and virtually every sport played on the planet both American and International. Betting options on the online sportsbook include betting the moneyline, the spread, fractional odds, futures, props and even live betting while a game unfolds. The mobile interface at Bovada scores even further high marks as Indiana residents can get in on betting action at anytime, anywhere, as news and events unfold. Signing up at Bovada is quick and simple as well, as users can become full-fledged members with funded accounts within minutes. The welcome bonus for the sportsbook is also particularly enticing as a new member will score a 50% bonus to their initial deposit worth up to $250 to be spent anywhere on the sportsbook that they wish.

Legal Indiana Gambling Sites
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What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In Indiana?

The legal gambling age in Indiana is 18 years or older however, the minimum age to gamble is 21 for certain land-based casinos throughout the state. For those Indiana residents who wish to gamble online, the legal gambling age for the sites we recommend is 18 years or older simply because that is the age designated by the State of Indiana. If the standard gambling age would have been higher, many legal Indiana gambling sites would have stuck to that number instead of just 18 years old.

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