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Sports betting in Indiana went live with the launch of the state’s first retail sportsbook in 2019, just a few days before the NFL kickoff game. By doing so, the Hoosier State became the 13th state to legalize sports betting in the US. Shortly after, online sportsbooks began to launch in October of the same year.

Governor Eric Holcomb, who’d signed the state’s betting bill into law in spring earlier that year, placed Indiana’s first wagers on Sept. 1st and ushered in a new age for the state’s residents. Since then, bettors in Indiana have enjoyed the benefits of legal sports betting and have been able to place bets from anywhere within the state.

Pros & Cons Of Betting On Sports In Indiana

Pros:

• Availability of both retail and online sportsbooks means that bettors can choose the option that they prefer.
• Sports betting provides a much-needed boost to the state’s economy.
• Remote registration is allowed, so bettors can sign up online instead of having to visit a physical casino to register.
• Indiana’s 9.5% tax rate is one of the industry’s lowest.
• The state enjoys the benefit of being one of the few Midwest States with legalized sports betting.

Cons:

• Online casinos are prohibited from operating, so bettors who prefer casino gambling alongside sports betting have to opt for retail casinos instead.
• In-play betting is restricted to specific breaks. These breaks are things like advertisement breaks or the end of a game’s quarter.
• The state has an overreliance on online betting, which is known to be highly addictive.
• Since bettors can bet on in-state college teams, such teams don’t have the protection that many other states offer to their local college teams.
• Prop bets on college players are prohibited.

Would We Bet On Sports At Indiana Sportsbooks?

Yes, we would. Indiana benefited by getting into the sports betting industry after several states had already opted in, and thus had a few successful states to model from. This gave it the ideal start, especially concerning things like online sports betting and remote registration where a few other states fumbled.

It has since exceeded expectations and is now considered more than an outsider when it comes to sports betting. Though the state may not be the ultimate gold standard for sports betting—and gambling in general—bettors still enjoy all that Indiana has to offer.

How To Sign Up At A Betting Site

One of the highlights of Indiana’s sports betting is that it permits remote registration. This means that bettors can simply register online, which is an easy, straightforward process.

All players have to do to register is go to a sportsbook’s homepage—either on an app or through the sportsbook’s website—and begin the sign-up process by clicking on the ‘register’ or ‘join’ button.

Once you’ve been redirected to a registration page, you’ll need to provide the following details:

• Full name.
• Preferred email address.
• Your cell phone number.
• Date of birth.
• Home/postal address.
• Some sportsbooks will ask for your full SSN while others will just ask for the last four digits.
• Copies of documents like your identity card or passport may also be required.
• A chosen username and password.

The sportsbook will send a confirmation email once your account has been verified. In this age of technology, verification is a swift process because almost all sportsbooks use e-verification—this means that the details you provide are cross-checked with public records, which is why it’s always important to ensure that all details that are provided are accurate.

Sometimes you may be asked to provide additional documents in order to complete the verification, and that process lasts a few hours or up to one day at most, though the length of this manual verification mostly depends on the sportsbook’s support team.

Since accounts these days are multipurpose, you only need to sign up with a site once, and then you can use that account for services other than sports betting. So say that you had previously signed up on a site for a horse racing account and you now want to bet on sports on the same site. You should use the account that you had previously signed up for instead of creating a new one.

This is because betting sites mandate that a user can only have one account. So trying to sign up for another one goes against their terms of services and may lead to serious implications such as both accounts being closed.

GeoComply

Sports betting providers have to follow certain legal requirements if they wish to operate. One of these legal requirements is that sportsbooks are only supposed to serve people who are within state lines; therefore, Indiana’s sportsbooks are only supposed to serve bettors who are within Indiana.

To ensure the above, sportsbooks have to partner with location validators; one of the most prominent ones is GeoComply.

GeoComply makes sure that a bettor is in the location that they say they are in. One of the reasons why GeoComply is such a necessity is because virtual private networks (VPNs) are commonplace these days and bettors often use them to fake their location.

GeoComply is simply packaged as an app. Most sportsbooks will tell their users to download and turn on GeoComply before they are allowed to use the site. To turn on GeoComply after downloading it, simply open the app and give it access to your device’s location services. Once it has this permission, it will operate in the background and give any relevant location data to GeoComply supported sites.

Sports Betting Apps

Sports betting apps are available for users who want the convenience of placing wagers on the go. Just like other mobile apps, sports betting apps package the web-betting experience into easily accessible smartphone apps, so bettors miss out on nothing when they opt for sports betting apps.

Pros & Cons Of Sports Betting Apps

Pros:

• One can access the app at any given time.
• Live video streaming is available on many sportsbooks, so bettors can keep up with live events even when they are on the road.
• Bettors have flexibility since they don’t have to plan their days around their betting needs.
• App notifications keep bettors updated at all times.
• Sports betting apps can also be used to access funds.

Cons:

• It is easier to get addicted since one has the app with them at all times.
• Users with lower-end devices may have difficulty betting because most apps are made to serve users with high-end devices.
• Phones have small screens. This is less than ideal for old-school players who are used to big screens.
• Distraction is also a problem. One may start gambling at times that they shouldn’t, e.g. betting while driving, which is extremely dangerous.
• Budgeting issues may arise since one is prone to bet at times that they hadn’t planned simply because they have the convenience of the app.

Sports betting apps have become the norm and are widely used by all major sportsbooks. Additionally, all sportsbooks have tailor-made apps for both iOS and Android devices.

The following sports betting apps are available in Indiana:

DraftKings Sportsbook App

Many originally knew of DraftKings sportsbook because of fantasy sports, but the company has also proved to be a titan in the sports betting world. DraftKings first ventured into sports betting in 2018 and has since opened sportsbooks in many states, including in Indiana.

In fact, it was one of the first online sportsbooks to launch in Indiana. One of the highlights of its app is its great user interface which bettors highly praise. DraftKings also gives bettors DFS offerings, which many of its competitors lack.

FanDuel Sportsbook App

FanDuel, probably DraftKings greatest rival, launched its online sportsbook a few weeks after DraftKings did. FanDuel also has two retail sportsbooks in the following Casinos: Belterra Casino Resort and Blue Chip Casino.

All that aside, FanDuel is one of the state’s best mobile sportsbooks and that’s why it has gained a substantial fanbase in Indiana. Some of the sportsbook’s perks include a top-notch user interface, quick in-play betting, unique events, and great odds.

BetMGM Sportsbook App

The MGM brand is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, and this sportsbook definitely lives up to that name. BetMGM first launched in New Jersey, though it was originally known as PlayMGM before it changed its name to BetMGM.

The sportsbook then went live in Indiana in February 2020 and has also been a major player in the state. Its website and app are all easy to use, but one of BetMGM app’s main perks is its promotional offers. Some of its promos even extend to its resorts.

Unibet Sportsbook App

Unibet, a major player in the European sports betting market, went live in Indiana on July 30, 2020. Since the sportsbook has served many regions around the world, it has a large portfolio of international events that will surely meet the needs of any bettor looking to bet on other non-American sports and events.

Additionally, the sportsbook also boasts some of the best odds in the industry.

Bet365 Sportsbook App

To say that Bet365 sportsbook is a titan would be an understatement. The sports betting platform is one of Europe’s most revered sports betting providers; as such, it has a lot of expectations to live up to. The sportsbook, which struck a partnership with Hard Rock Casino AC, is expected to launch in Indiana soon.

How To Fund Your Betting Account

Funding your betting account is one of the easiest things associated with betting. So whether you’re depositing or withdrawing funds, you shouldn’t have any problems since the processes are all straightforward.

When depositing money, follow these easy steps:

• Log in to your account.
• Tap the ‘Deposit’ button. It is commonly situated at the top of the page or on the menu.
• Select the deposit method that you prefer to use.
• Type in the amount you feel comfortable betting with. If using a card, add the card and its details.
• A prompt may show up. If it does, follow the directions.
• The sportsbook will confirm the transaction. The deposited amount will immediately be added to your betting balance.

If you wish to withdraw your earnings, these are the steps to follow:

• Log in to your account.
• Locate the ‘My Account’ or ‘Cashier’ section. Once there, you should see the ‘Withdraw’ button.
• Select the withdrawal method that you prefer to use.
• Enter the amount that you want the sportsbook to send to you.
• Follow any directions from a prompt in case one pops up.
• The sportsbook will notify you of the transaction once the funds are transferred.

Online Sportsbook Payment Process

Since bettors use all types of payment methods, sportsbooks work hard to try and accommodate every customer. So whichever payment option that you favor, rest assured that your funds will always be within your reach.

The following are the deposit options available on most sportsbooks:

• Credit and debit cards
• PayNearMe
• Play+ cards
• PayPal
• ACH/e-check
• Skrill
• Prepaid cards

Withdrawal options are known to be fewer on most sportsbooks when compared to deposit options. However, the options are still plenty enough for most bettors. The following are the most commonly used withdrawal options:

• PayPal
• Play+ prepaid cards
• ACH/e-check
• Skrill
• Check by mail
• Cash at the casino cage

How Do Sports Betting Sign Up Offers Work?

One thing that new bettors should always look forward to is sports betting sign-up offers. These offers are solely reserved for new bettors who sign up on sports betting sites. To claim these sign-up offers, bettors have to complete registration on sportsbooks giving out such promotions.

After their new accounts have been created, bettors immediately get these sign-up offers when they deposit money into their accounts. These offers are very easy to claim, so bettors should always jump on such promotional offers whenever they see them.

The most common sign up offers are explained down below:

First Deposit Offer

In this offer, a bettor needs to make a deposit after they are done with registration. Once the bettor has done so, the sportsbook will match that very first deposit, though the amount matched will be limited to an initially stated amount.

For example, let’s say that FanDuel has the following first deposit offer: 100% match up to $1,000. In this case, a bettor who deposits $1,000 gets an extra $1,000 to play with.

No Deposit Offer

No deposit offers are special. This is because, as suggested by the name, no funds are required to unlock this deposit. So a bettor gets free money when they finish signing up on a sportsbook; it is as straightforward as it sounds. However, a deposit is needed to withdraw any winnings earned from the deal.

Risk-Free Bet

A risk-free bet is a type of bonus applicable to the first bet that a bettor wagers on a new site. In short, if that first bet ends up losing, the sportsbook will compensate you with the stake that you used on that first bet.

However, there’s usually a stated limit, so bettors should always check on that before opting in.

Be sure to read the full terms and conditions of each deal type before moving forward. Promotions such as the First Deposit offer have wagering requirements based on the deposit and bonus amount that must be met before a win can be withdrawn. Understanding these conditions are key to clearing a deal correctly.

Where Can I Place A Bet In Indiana?

Bettors who wish to place a bet in Indiana can do so at a land-based sportsbook or through an online sportsbook.

Land-based sportsbooks have been allowed to operate in places such as riverboats, casinos, racetracks, and off-track-betting amenities. The following are locations with land-based sportsbooks:

• Ameristar Casino
• Belterra Casino
• French Lick Resort Casino
• Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg
• Blue Chip Casino
• Horseshoe Southern Indiana Hotel and Casino
• Horseshoe Casino Hammond
• Rising Star Casino Resort
• Indiana Grand Casino
• Harrah’s Hoosier Park
• Tropicana Evansville Casino
• Caesars Southern Indiana Casino
• Winner’s Circle – OTB available in three locations: Clarksville, New Haven, and Indianapolis.

Indiana Sports Betting Laws And Tax Rates

It didn’t take long for Indiana to jump into sports betting post-PASPA. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned on May 14, 2018, giving states the freedom to pursue sports betting. Almost a year after that ruling, Gov.Eric Holcomb signed House Bill 1015 on May 8, 2019, that legalized both retail and mobile sports wagering. Retail sportsbooks launched in September 2019, while online sportsbooks launched in October.

Indiana’s tax rate is pretty low, especially when that rate is compared to the tax rates of other states. Sports betting revenue in Indiana is taxed at 9.5%, while most other states have a rate of between 10-15%.

Gambling Problem? Find out how to exclude yourself from betting sports in Indiana.