Question Everything: IN Online Wagering FAQ

Indiana Mobile Betting FAQs vs Fiction

Before we continue, please understand that every question in this FAQ guide has been thoughtfully and responsibly answered to the best of our considerable knowledge, at time of writing. When and where applicable, many of the answers below are drawn directly from the law books of Indiana legislation, and/or the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC); the government agency responsible for regulating the state’s live and online sports betting industry. That being said, let’s dive right into the Q&A.

1. What is “mobile betting”?
2. Is mobile betting legal in Indiana?
3. What forms of mobile betting are legal?
4. How long has sports betting been legal?
5. Who can bet online in Indiana?
6. Who is responsible for regulating mobile sports betting?
7. What sports can Hoosiers bet on?
8. Can I bet on eSports in Indiana?
9. Do I have to register an account in person?
10. Can I use my account when I’m outside Indiana?
11. Can I have more than one online sportsbook account?
12. How do I know my personal information and payments are secure?
13. What if an event I bet on is canceled?
14. Where can I view a sportsbook’s “House Rules”?
15. Where do all the tax dollars go?

1. What is “Mobile Betting”?

Mobile betting is the act of using a mobile device – smartphone or tablet – to access a gambling app or online gambling portal, for the purpose of placing real money wagers.

2. Is mobile betting legal in Indiana?

Yes, to an extent. Not all forms of mobile betting are legal.

3. What forms of mobile betting are legal?

Sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS) betting are the only legal ways to gamble online in Indiana.

4. How long has sports betting been legal?

On May 8, 2019, the government of Indiana passed a law to authorize the regulation of sports betting. In the months that followed, provisional licenses were issued to both land-based and online entities. By September 1, the state’s physical casinos had set up shop, accepting their first sports bets. A month later, on October 3, the first online bookmakers began launching their services.

5. Who can bet online in Indiana?

Not everyone is eligible to gamble online. There are four conditions that may effect eligibility.

To be eligible, you must…

1. …be of legal gambling age; 21 or over.
2. …be physically located in Indiana.
3. …not be actively excluded from gambling in Indiana (see Exclusion List below).
4. …not be classified as a “prohibited sports wagering participant”, defined as:
   • employees of the sports governing body.
   • game officials employed/contracted by the sports governing body.
   • coach, manager, or other personnel employed/contracted by a club member of the sports governing body.
   • athlete contracted by a member club of the sports governing body in the case of a team sport, individual sport, or who is eligible to participate in events conducted by the sports governing body.
   • employee of a union representing such athletes or game officials.

Exclusion Lists: This condition refers to Voluntary Self-Exclusion from gaming, as well as names appearing on the state’s involuntary, court-mandated Exclusion List. Please refer to the link below to for more information on gaming exclusion.

• Indiana Gaming Exclusion and Voluntary Self-Exclusion

6. Who is responsible for regulating mobile sports betting?

The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) is responsible for enforcing all real money internet gaming regulations in the state. Its responsibilities include reviewing all license applications, monitoring the operations of existing licensees, responding to and investigating player complaints, and the general provision of “a fair, transparent and dynamic regulatory environment”.

7. What sports can Hoosiers bet on?

Indiana laws permits sportsbook operators to “accept wagers on professional and collegiate sporting events approved for sports wagering by the commission”. The IGC specifically prohibits any sports wagering operator from “offering wagering on high school and other amateur youth sporting events”.

Based on those guidelines, the sports available for wagering include:

See the IGC’s Approved Events for Sports Wagering data sheet for a comprehensive list of all domestic and international leagues, events, series, award ceremonies, etc.

8. Can I bet on eSports in Indiana?

No. Competitive video games, known as electronic sports, or eSports, are specifically exempt from betting by Indiana state law.

IC § 4-38-5-4 Permissible wagers; in-play wagers, clearly states:

“(b) A certificate holder or vendor may not accept wagers on e-sports regardless of whether the e-sports event involves one (1) or multiple players.”

9. Do I have to register an account in person?

No. While it’s true that every online and mobile sportsbook licensed in Indiana is partnered with a land-based gaming operator, it is not necessary to register an iGaming account in person. Special security measures, safeguards and geolocation procedures are in place to ensure identify verification of accounts registered online, and that each individual is physically located in the state of Indiana when placing a wager.

10. Can I use my account when I’m outside Indiana?

Yes, for general purposes, but not to place a bet. Members of most Indiana mobile sportsbooks can register an account, access their account information, and make deposits or withdrawals, all from outside the state’s borders. Betting, however, is strictly prohibited beyond state lines. You must be physically located in the state to place any real money wagers.

The only known exception is William Hill Sportsbook, which does not permit members to access their account whatsoever when they are physically located outside the state.

11. Can I have more than one online sportsbook account?

Yes. Hoosiers can register an account with as many IGC authorized sportsbooks as they wish. However, multi-accounting (opening multiple accounts with the same sportsbook) is strictly prohibited. Indiana law allows, “one account, per person, per sportsbook.”

12. How do I know my information and payments are secure?

Indiana requires its licensed iGaming operators and associated payment processing services to employ the same security standards as government-run online banks. They are the highest standards any internet website can employ. Suffice it to say, if you do any financial transactions online, whether it be banking, bill payment, purchasing of goods, etc., you are already taking the same low level of risk.

13. What if an event I bet on is canceled?

Every sportsbook is required to post house rules that state what will happen in the case of an event being canceled, postponed, or otherwise altered/interrupted, including how wagers will be handled in straight bets and multi-leg parlays where one or more event is impacted. You should be able to find this information in the ‘House Rules’ section of the website.

14. Where can I view the house rules?

Every Indiana mobile betting app and website is required to clearly display a link to its house rules on its website (usually at the bottom of each page), and within its terms and conditions. If you can’t find it, ask customer support for the link.

15. Where do all the tax dollars go?

When Indiana lawmakers chose to regulate sports betting, they did so in an effort to raise much needed tax dollars for the state. According to the IGC, a tax rate of 9.5% is imposed on all adjusted gross receipts. Licensed operators are required to pay this tax each month.

Unlike many authorized iGaming states, the revenue is not directed to any specific departments or projects. Sports betting tax revenue goes into the State General Fund (a.k.a. the State Budget). Collectively, that money is used to fund education (62%), health and human services (24%), public safety (6%), and general government (3%). The remaining 5% goes to construction, economic development, distributions, environmental conservation, and transportation.

For more information, the IGC’s monthly revenue reports can be found here.