Gambling Legislation in Indiana
Indiana online casinos aren't yet permitted by the gambling legislation in the state.
In 1988, an overwhelming 62% of Indiana voters approved a state lottery for the first time. The first lottery tickets were sold on October 13, 1989, and gambling in the Hoosier State was off and running.
The only full-size horse track in the state, Hoosier Park, opened in 1994, giving Indianans a taste of live pari-mutuel betting. Since that time, many off-track betting parlors have also opened.
Perhaps the biggest moment for the Indiana gaming industry came was when the Indiana Riverboat Gaming Act was passed in 1993. Ten casinos were approved at that time, with the first one opening its doors in 1995.
Eventually, the waterway requirements for riverboat casinos were lifted, and seaworthy vessels were no longer required. More casinos were added to the mix and Indiana casino gambling expanded into a billion-dollar industry. Consequently, hundreds of millions went to the state in tax revenue.
However, that industry has yet to take the final step toward legalizing online casinos. With the successful launch of online sports wagering, it seems only natureal that online casino gaming may also be on the horizon. Perhaps even in the very near future.
Available Online Casino Games
Any online casino game that is offered will have to be approved by the Indiana Gaming Commission. This is the regulator body that oversees all gambling activity in the state. Even so, we can already see which games are popular in land-based Indiana casinos. W can therefore make some educated guesses as to what will be included when legal online casinos come to Indiana.
Slot Machines
They are popular the world over and the main attraction in any casino, live or online. With more than 26,000 slots at Indiana retail casinos, expect a huge number of slots to populate online casinos.
Video Poker
Video poker machines are some of the most popular on the floor. Indiana casino bars are filled with video poker machines, and they are sure to be an online offering.
Blackjack
Indiana casinos feature several different types of blackjack, including DD Blackjack, 21+3 Blackjack, and Top 3 Blackjack. There may not be the different dealer games available online, but blackjack is an obvious addition.
Baccarat
An easy game to learn and a fun game to play, baccarat has seen a huge rise in popularity. At the Ameristar Casino in East Chicago, they even have an entire room dedicated to baccarat with 20 different tables. Online it’s also common to see a smaller version of the game called mini-baccarat.
Roulette
Another easy game to understand and simulate online, roulette is likely to become a popular online offering. Online casinos typically feature both American Roulette, which has two green wells, and European Roulette - which has only one green well.
Craps
Craps is another very popular live casino game, partly because of the social element involved. It is therefore likely to be an online offering from some of the bigger casinos. Incidentally, Indiana casinos feature craps with “Sharp Shooter” and “Bonus Craps” side bets. It will be interesting to see if they also become available online.
Three Card Poker
Available at most Indiana retail casinos, this easy to play table game also has a six-card bonus side bet. Three Card Poker is a common addition to online casinos elsewhere in the country, and Indiana won’t be much different.
Indiana Online Casinos
Online casinos in Indiana are not yet legal, so there aren’t any venues that are currently active. There is no legislation in process to change this situation, so it is impossible to predict online casinos will arrive.
That said, many believe that the law will eventually change. For those eternal optimists, here are the operators that are likely to launch straight away.
DraftKings Casino
A variety of bonuses make DraftKings one of the better places to play. DraftKings is already in Indiana with its online sportsbook, so an online casino offering would be a no-brainer.
Whenever online casino gambling has become legal in other states, DraftKings has been quick to act. It has introduced both a website and mobile app, and both are of the highest quality. Indiana would no doubt enjoy the same approach.
FanDuel Casino
FanDuel was also one of the first on the scene in Indiana when sports betting was legalized. For that reason, we would expect them to quickly expand their offerings with a legal online casino. The casino has a wide selection of games, generous bonuses, and a fast and nimble platform that is perfect for quick and responsive play. They will definitely become a top choice once they are available.
Bet MGM
This is another big name in the industry. It is also another that opened a sportsbook in Indiana soon after it was legal to do so. In other states, BetMGM has integrated its online sportsbook and online casino into one app. The same approach would make BetMGM a top choice in Indiana when the time comes.
BetAmerica
BetAmerica is a one-stop shop for all things gaming. Owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated, this operator isn't quite as well known as some. However, it know exactly what it is doing and would make the most of online casinos in Indiana being legalized.
Caesars Online
Caesars is one of the most famous casino gaming brands in America. It has also established itself as one of the better sportsbooks in Indiana. With its retail casino in Southern Indiana, Caesars is a natural to enter the online casino gaming market here.
Hollywood Casino
Partnered with Penn Interactive, Hollywood Casino is one of the most popular retail venues in the state. It has already introduced an online and mobile sportsbook in Indiana. The parent company is aggressive in entering new markets,. For that reason, when Indiana begins accepting online casinos, the Hollywood Casino is sure to be a player.
Retail Indiana Casinos
Any online casino launching in Indiana will partner with one of the retail casinos already located in the state. These are as follows:
Ameristar - East Chicago
Located just 25 miles from downtown Chicago, Ameristar features a 56,000 square-foot casino and 1,700 slot machines.
Belterra Casino - Florence
Located a short distance from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Indianapolis, Belterra Casino has 1,300 slot machines and more than 50 table games.
Blue Chip Casino - Michigan City
On Lake Michigan and the Indiana-Michigan border, Blue Chip Casino has 1,700 slot machines and 65,000 square feet of gaming.
Caesars Southern Indiana - Elizabeth
The newly renovated Caesars features table games, slot machines, a poker room, and the area’s only operating sportsbook.
Four Winds Casino - South Bend
Over 175,000 square feet of gaming, four restaurants, and a 10-table poker room highlight what can be found at the only tribal-owned casino in the state.
French Lick Resort Casino - French Lick
Located between Indianapolis and Louisville, French Lick Resort Casino has 51,000 square feet of gaming and offers accommodations at a pair of historic hotels.
Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino - Anderson
Harrah’s Hoosier Park features complete casino gaming and the only live harness racing anywhere in the state.
Hollywood Casino - Lawrenceburg
Just 20 minutes west of Cincinnati, this Hollywood themed casino has high-end gaming, a massive sportsbook with hundreds of flat-screen TVs, and a 300-room luxury hotel.
Horseshoe Casino - Hammond
Multiple bars, 100 table games, poker, and a dance club highlight the offerings of this Caesar owned property just outside of Chicago.
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino - Shelbyville
Just outside of Indianapolis, you can find thoroughbred and quarter horse racing, sports betting, table games, and more than 2,000 slot machines.
Majestic Star - Gary
Just a half-hour from downtown Chicago this casino offers six full floors of gaming and an award-winning steakhouse.
Rising Star Casino Resort - Rising Sun
Formerly the Grand Victoria, the Rising Star has 1,000 slot machines, table games, dockside gambling right on the Ohio River, and a links-style golf course.
Tropicana - Evansville
Right on the Ohio River, Tropicana features 45,000 square feet of gaming, 30 table games, a live poker room, and nearly 1,200 slot machines.
Indiana Online Casino Bonuses
Like almost every other state with online casinos, Indiana online casinos will offer bonuses to attract new customers. When legalization finally does come to Indiana casinos will be looking to create loyal customers by giving them free money.
No-Deposit Bonus
The most basic bonus is a no-deposit bonus. Simply sign up for a new account and it will be credited with free bonus money before you even place a bet. That free money is usually given to you in the form of a risk-free bet, so it’s not quite cash in your pocket. Nevertheless, any opportunity to place a bet using the casino’s money is a good thing.
Deposit Bonus
These tend to be higher than no-deposit bonuses. While you may get between $20 and $100 for registering your new account, you can often get up to $500 in deposit bonuses as a first time customer.
There will also be playthrough requirements to meet before you can withdraw that money as cash.
As an example, let’s say you get $500 in a deposit match bonus. You may have to wager five times that amount, which is $2,500, before that money goes from a credit to actual withdrawable cash.
Even with the playthrough requirements, deposit bonuses are a great way to build a bankroll.
Loyalty Programs
Almost every retail casino in the world has a loyalty program. You sign up and receive a card in return. You then insert that card into a gaming machine every time you are playing so all of your action can be recorded. Online loyalty programs work in exactly the same way, without the need to insert a physical card.
Loyalty programs are free to join, and the more you play, the more you earn. Rewards include free plays and special bonus boosters. Some venues even offer birthday gifts, free dinners and overnight stays at their partner casino. If you are offered a loyalty or rewards program, you should definitely sign up for it.
Other Possible Promotions
Once a casino has your business, they will want to keep it. They may therefore offer you a series of other incentives to keep you active and playing.
These additional bonuses might include a refer a friend program. This is where you encourage a friend to sign up for a new account using your unique code. When he or she does so, you both get a risk-free bet.
You may also encounter day-of-the-week promotions, where certain games are cheaper to play or pay off more than usual.
There are also jackpot drawings and many other giveaways designed to reward the biggest players and the most loyal customers.
Signing Up with an Indiana Online Casino
Casinos work very hard to make it easy for you to register for a new account. And they succeed!
Based on what we’ve seen from the online sportsbooks operating in the state, the information that an online casino will ask you to provide is:
- First and last name
- Residential address
- Mailing address
- Date of birth
- Phone number
- Social Security number
- Username
- Password
You will then be prompted to answer a pair of security questions and decide if you want to opt-in to two-factor notification. This means that each time your account is accessed, a PIN will be sent to your mobile phone. You must then enter that PIN to complete the log-in process.
Banking at Indiana Online Casinos
Since Indiana has several online sportsbooks already on the market, we’ve been given a preview of what kind of banking options online casinos are sure to offer. Not all will offer each of these methods of deposit and withdrawal, but all of these ways of moving money are available in the state.
Deposits
- Online bill pay/bank transfer
- ACH/eCheck
- Credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard)
- PayPal
- Play+ prepaid card
- PayNearMe
- Cash paid in person at the casino cage
Credit card payments are the most common method of deposit. But be warned: Some issuing banks treat the payments as if they are cash advances and charge additional fees. Be sure to check with your credit card company before making any payments.
In some cases, the transaction will be denied outright, and in that case, you’ll need to call your bank and authorize the payment directly.
The most recommended method of deposit is using online bill pay - for the reason above, but also because it is the most secure. You never have to give your account number to anyone. You set up the transaction directly through your bank account.
E-wallet options are also a good way to make deposits because of the lack of additional fees and secure electronic connection.
Withdrawals
Many of the methods of deposit can be reversed into an easy and fast withdrawal. If you are unable to do that, or your Indiana casino of choice doesn’t offer it, these will be your withdrawal options.
- ACH/eCheck
- PayPal
- Personal check
- Cash received in person at the casino cage
Just always know that when cashing out with a personal check, there will be delays of five to ten business days for processing and mailing. This is another reason why electronic banking is recommended by ourselves and others in the industry.
