While commercial and tribal land-based casinos are popular attractions in the Hoosier State, online gambling is yet to be legalized in Indiana. That said, you can legally play on the best sweepstakes casinos or visit the plethora of retail casinos in the state.
Guide To Finding The Best Indiana Casino Sites
Is Online Gambling Legal in Indiana?
Right now, only online sports betting is legal in Indiana. The introduction of Bill HB 1015 in 2019 set out regulations for licensed online sportsbooks and permitted table games in retail casinos. However, it failed to legalize online casino gambling and online poker sites.
Mind you, Indiana is already a gambling-friendly state. It is home to many land-based casinos, tribal gambling establishments, lottery games, legal DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports), horse racing, and in-person poker.
Indiana Social Casinos
Social casinos are essentially online casinos that work in a similar way to real money sites. However, instead of wagering actual cash, you play using a free virtual currency. The main difference, of course, is that you cannot exchange this for real money.
These “Coins” hold no monetary value but are a great alternative if you really want to enjoy games online in Indiana. You can collect virtual currency by claiming bonuses, through gameplay, or by purchasing coin bundles.
Indiana Sweepstakes Casinos in Indiana
Sweepstakes casinos are similar social casinos, featuring free games and virtual coins. However, you can also claim a different type of currency at sweeps sites called “Sweeps Coins”.
You can find these coins at the a best free sc coins casino and use them to play your favorite slots and table games. Then, if you get lucky and generate a profit, you can exchange your Sweeps Coins winnings for withdrawable cash prizes.
If you play on sweepstakes casinos and prefer buying additional coins, you can make purchases online. Supported payment methods include the most efficient banking options available, such as e-wallets and debit/credit cards.
Indiana Casino Apps
There are no legal online casinos in Indiana right now. This means it will likely take years before real money online casino apps are up and running.
However, for the ultimate experience at online mobile casinos, social and sweepstakes casino apps may be just the ticket. The offer superior usability, enhanced connectivity, and the option to turn on alerts and notifications.
Indiana Online Casino Bonuses
In Indiana, online sports betting has been live since 2019. Plus, with the presence of well-established IN retail casinos, you can bet these sportsbooks will be angling for online casino licenses.
Other big brands will undoubtedly enter the fray, such as BetMGM, FanDuel, WynnBET, and DraftKings. Many of these gambling operators already boast legal Indiana sportsbooks but also feature established online casino components in other states.
Once legal online casinos are given the green light, you should expect to find the best online casino promo codes and top casino bonuses to boost your bankroll. Until then, you can still enjoy Indiana social casinos and sweepstakes casinos, which are as close to the real thing as you’ll get.
When Will Indiana Online Casinos Be Legal?
As we’ve discussed, Indiana already hosts several prominent sportsbook platforms. These sports betting sites have their foot in the door for the launch of their online casinos, too.
IN Representative Ethan Manning has spearheaded the attempts at Indiana online casinos. His bill also included the legalization of online poker but to no avail.
Nonetheless, Indiana has historically been open to legal gambling. In fact, with the Indiana Riverboat Act passed in July 1993, the state permitted 10 riverboat casinos within its borders.
It’s all up to state officials and governing bodies such as the Indiana Gaming Commission to give the state the go-ahead for online casinos. That decision could come soon, as the Hoosier State is already losing revenue to nearby Michigan (which even has online poker).
Is Indiana Sports Betting Legal?
Yes, both online and in person! Indiana was one of the first states to legalize sports betting back in 2019. By virtue of bill HB 1015, the state is now home to over a dozen top sportsbooks, including Caesars, FanDuel, and BetRivers.
Land Casinos in Indiana
You can also visit just over a dozen land-based casinos of all shapes and sizes all over the state. Most are commercial casinos. However, The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians are two of the state’s tribal casino owners.
Here are the brick-and-mortar options to add to your bucket list:
- Ameristar Casino East Chicago in East Chicago
- Bally’s Evansville in Evansville
- Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Florence
- Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City
- Caesars Southern Indiana in Elizabeth
- Four Winds in South Bend
- French Lick Resort Casino in French Lick
- Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary
- Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson
- Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg in Lawrenceburg
- Horseshoe Casino Hammond in Hammond
- Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville
- Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun
- Terre Haute Casino Resort in Terre Haute (coming in 2024)
The Best Casinos in Indiana
If you want to visit some Indiana casinos but don't know where to start, here are a few of our recommendations.
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
You’re probably familiar with the Hard Rock brand for good reason, and Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is no exception. Offering over 1,700 slots and almost 100 table games, you’ve plenty of casino action to keep you on your toes.
Better yet, you can make a pit stop at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood for a decadent dish, chill at the Hard Rock Café, or splurge at Fresh Harvest Buffet. You can even head to one of Hard Rock IN’s three stages to catch some live entertainment as part of a 2,700+ crowd.
Caesars Southern Indiana
Visit the Kentuckiana table games hall at Caesars Southern Indiana Casino and enjoy some of the best odds and highest bet limits on the market. Better still, use your Caesars Rewards card every time you play and you’ll earn valuable Reward Credits, competition entries, real-life event invitations, and more.
Also, slots fans can rejoice over the 1,100 machines available at the resort, all set over 110,000 square feet of entertainment. You can even book into the adjoining hotel, enjoy some of the casino’s shows, dine in its three restaurants, and relax in the spa or pool while you’re there.
Hoosier Park Racing & Casino
Priding itself on its “Premier gaming in the heart of the Midwest”, Harrah’s Hoosier Park offers a renowned racing track and a 54,000-square-foot casino floor. Furthermore, you can check out the full Caesars Sportsbook and enjoy an all-American steakhouse dining experience.
You can reap the benefits of 2,000+ slot machines and over 30 table games, all while accumulating “casino credit” in exchange for gameplay. Additionally, you can reap the benefits of casino promotions and real-life events invitations.
Indiana Riverboat Casinos
Back in 1993, riverboat casinos were the only type of Indiana casinos allowed, so many ended up being built off of river barges. The state handed out a set number of licenses (10 in total), stating that the boats could not be permanently docked, and the casino had to remain operational on moving vessels.
Fast forward to 2015, and new regulations stated that casinos could be land-based and no longer had to be tethered. Some casinos chose to rebrand, remodel, and even relocate. For example, Caesars Southern Indiana, which used to be called Horseshoe Southern Indiana, moved inland in 2019.
Are Indiana Poker Rooms Legal?
While we already know that online poker is not yet legal in Indiana, you can still practice your poker face at land-based poker rooms. In fact, the Hoosier state has been a poker hotspot for a long time, with real-money gambling venues legalized back in the 1990s.
The card game is legal at any of IN’s licensed casinos and is a popular choice for poker players in and around the state. Some of Indiana’s best brick-and-mortar casinos for live poker include Horseshoe Hammond, Four Winds South Bend Casino, and Caesars Southern Indiana Casino.
Indiana Lottery
While you can’t yet purchase lottery tickets online, eager players can participate in the Hoosier Lottery via its native app. You can create digital payslips with your desired number picks ahead of your purchase. The app also lets you locate your closest licensed lottery retailer.
Established in 1989, the state’s lottery offers eight fun draw games (five of which are specific to Indiana), over 70 scratch-offs, and plenty of fast-play games. Plus, since it is overseen by the State Lottery Commission of Indiana, the Hoosier Lottery is completely legal and above board.
Responsible Gambling at Indiana Casinos
Practicing responsible gameplay plays a massive part in your online gaming experience. Fortunately, our top-rated gambling sites feature extensive “Responsible Gaming” pages full of advice, tools, resources, and links to external support organizations and charities. Also, if a player’s gaming habits become a cause for concern, Indiana offers the following support:
- National Problem Gambling Helpline – Call: 1-800-GAMBLER
- Indiana Gambling Hotline – Call: 1-800-9 (1-800-994-8448)
Future Online Casino States
Aside from Indiana, several other US states are close to launching regulated markets. For example, we may see Illinois online casinos go live by the end of 2023. Similarly, with its incredibly successful sports betting market, legal New York casinos may soon be on the cards for the Empire State. California online casinos have been a hot topic in the state, as well as legal sports betting. Florida online casinos are also a possibility in the future. Another possibility is Texas, but the chances of seeing online casinos in Texas are still remote.
Whichever US state will be next in line to acquire that highly anticipated license is yet to be seen. Be sure to revisit our pages to be kept in the loop on which state is next!