Indiana Casinos, Sweepstakes and Gambling
Neighbouring States: Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio
Indiana at a Glance
✅ Allowed
- Online sports betting: fully legal since September 2019; major operators include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, and others
- Land-based casinos: 12 commercial casinos and two racinos; one Native American casino (Four Winds South Bend)
- Daily fantasy sports (DFS): legal; Indiana was the second US state to legalise DFS
- State lottery: Indiana Hoosier Lottery; Powerball and Mega Millions available
- Pari-mutuel horse racing: live and simulcast wagering at licensed tracks
- Charitable gaming: licensed bingo and raffles
- Social casinos: free-to-play with no cash prizes (always legal)
- Sweepstakes casinos: currently available until 1 July 2026; ban signed 13 March 2026
- Minimum age: 21 for casino gaming and sports betting; 18 for lottery and DFS
❌ Not Allowed (or soon not allowed)
- Sweepstakes casinos: banned from 1 July 2026 under HB 1052, signed by Governor Braun on 13 March 2026
- Real-money online casinos: not yet legalised; bills failed to advance in 2025
- Online poker: no licensed real-money poker sites
Sweepstakes casinos — banned from 1 July 2026: Governor Mike Braun signed House Bill 1052 into law on 13 March 2026. From 1 July 2026, operating or conducting dual-currency sweepstakes games in Indiana will be prohibited, with civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation. Indiana becomes the first state in 2026 — and the seventh overall — to formally ban the sweepstakes casino model. Until 1 July, sweepstakes platforms remain operational, but players should be prepared for their chosen platform to exit Indiana ahead of that date. Social casinos with no cash prizes remain legal and are the recommended long-term alternative.
Sweepstakes and Social Casinos in Indiana
Sweepstakes casinos are currently available in Indiana until 1 July 2026, when HB 1052 takes effect. Players wishing to continue using sweepstakes platforms have until that date, after which all dual-currency casino-style platforms will be prohibited. Most platforms will likely begin restricting Indiana access ahead of the deadline.
Sweepstakes Casinos — Available Until 1 July 2026
Based on our current data, the following platforms are accessible to Indiana players before the July 1 ban takes effect:
- WOW Vegas: Over 1,000 slots plus live dealer games. Free Sweeps Coins from day one.
- Free Spin Casino: A solid option with a wide variety of slot titles.
- American Luck: A US-focused platform with regular promotional offers.
- Fortune Coins: Popular for its large game library and strong VIP programme.
Already restricted in Indiana: MegaBonanza, Spree, and Crown Coins had already restricted Indiana access ahead of the ban. Expect the remaining platforms to follow before July 1.
Social Casinos — The Legal Alternative from 1 July 2026
Social casinos offering only free play with no prize redemptions are explicitly exempt from HB 1052. They will remain legal in Indiana after the ban takes effect. For players wanting online casino-style entertainment after 1 July 2026, these are the recommended options:
- 7 Seas Casino: Free-to-play Vegas-style slots. No prizes, no purchase, no legal concerns.
- Vegas World: Free slots, poker, and table games in a lively social environment.
- Casino World: A broad range of free social casino games from the same team as Vegas World.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Indiana?
Currently yes — but not for much longer. Governor Mike Braun signed HB 1052 on 13 March 2026. From 1 July 2026, operating dual-currency sweepstakes casino platforms in Indiana is prohibited. Civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation apply to operators. Players are not criminalised but will lose access to these platforms as operators comply. Social casinos with no cash prizes remain legal permanently.
Is online sports betting legal in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana legalised sports betting in September 2019, with major operators launching shortly after. Indiana has a competitive mobile sports betting market with all major platforms licensed including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, and others. Bettors must be 21 or older and physically located in Indiana.
Are real-money online casinos legal in Indiana?
Not yet. Online casino gaming has not been legalised in Indiana. Bills including HB 1052's companion legislation and earlier proposals failed to advance in the 2025 session, partly due to political controversy surrounding the bill's author. The Indiana Gaming Commission has expressed interest in expanding regulated online gaming, and iGaming bills are expected to return in future sessions. In the meantime, licensed sports betting is the only real-money online option.
How many casinos are there in Indiana?
Indiana has 12 commercial casinos (many with "riverboat" origins, now permanently land-based or docked) plus two racino venues at Indiana Grand in Shelbyville and Hoosier Park in Anderson. The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians operates the state's only tribal casino — Four Winds South Bend — which opened in January 2018. Lawmakers are also advancing a bill (HB 1038) to authorise a new casino in northeast Indiana.
Is daily fantasy sports legal in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana was the second US state to legalise DFS. Major platforms including DraftKings and FanDuel operate legally in the state. Players must be at least 18.
What is the minimum gambling age in Indiana?
The minimum age is 21 for casino gaming and sports betting — both at land-based venues and online. DFS platforms and the lottery are available to players aged 18 and over.
What responsible gambling resources are available in Indiana?
The Indiana Problem Gambling Helpline is available at 1-800-994-8448, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Indiana Gaming Commission also administers a voluntary self-exclusion programme covering all licensed casinos and sportsbooks — HB 1052 also adds sportsbooks to the exclusion programme (previously limited to casinos). The National Problem Gambling Helpline is available at 1-800-522-4700.
Indiana Gambling Laws — The HB 1052 Sweepstakes Ban
Indiana's decision to ban sweepstakes casinos reflects a pattern playing out across the US in 2025-26. The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) is the primary regulator for all licensed gambling in the state, and it had long been unable to take action against sweepstakes platforms — its own legal counsel testified that the existing statutes gave it no grounds to issue cease-and-desist letters, as sweepstakes operators were "not in violation of state law."
HB 1052 changes that. The law defines a "sweepstakes game" as any internet-based game, contest, or promotion that: (a) is available online or on mobile devices; (b) uses a dual- or multi-currency system allowing players to exchange currency for prizes or cash equivalents; and (c) simulates casino or lottery gaming including slots, video poker, table games, bingo, and sports wagering.
Key differences from bans in other states:
- Civil, not criminal: HB 1052 does not create criminal offences: violations are subject to civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation by the IGC.
- No supplier/affiliate liability: Unlike California's AB 831, HB 1052 does not extend liability to payment processors, game suppliers, or marketing affiliates.
- Exemptions: State lottery products and peer-to-peer skill-based poker games are explicitly exempt from the prohibition.
The case for regulation — a debate not fully closed
During Indiana's legislative process, Senate sponsor Ron Alting attempted to substitute a regulation-and-taxation model for the outright ban. His amendment — which would have generated an estimated $20 million in annual tax revenue — was withdrawn after resistance from House Republican leadership. The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance noted that "the legislative record shows meaningful bipartisan support for a smarter approach." With online casinos still not legalised in Indiana, expect this debate to resurface in future sessions.
The Indiana legislature also has HB 1038 advancing in the 2026 session — a bill that would authorise a new commercial casino in northeast Indiana by converting an unused off-track betting licence held by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission into a full casino licence. That bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee 8-5 and heads to the full Senate.
Gambling History in Indiana
Indiana's gambling history is one of rapid transformation in a short period. The Indiana Constitution of 1851 banned lottery activities — a prohibition that stood until 1988 when voters approved an amendment to allow a state lottery. Lottery ticket sales began in 1989. Bingo was legalised in 1992, and the push for commercial casinos began around the same time.
Riverboat casinos were authorised in 1993, with sites allocated on Lake Michigan shores, the Ohio River, and Patoka Lake. The Patoka Lake licence was later revoked and transferred to the historic district of French Lick. The first casino opened in 1995. Initially required to cruise the rivers, the riverboats were permitted to moor permanently from 1999. Indiana Grand and Hoosier Park racetracks were converted to racinos in 2007 with the addition of slot machines. The state's one and only tribal casino — Four Winds South Bend, operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians — opened in January 2018.
In 2019, the Gambling Act that legalised sports betting also formalised the existing DFS industry. Indiana was the second US state to explicitly legalise DFS. Online sports betting launched in September 2019, just months after the law passed — one of the fastest launches in any state. Indiana has consistently been among the more progressive Midwestern states on gambling expansion, making the sweepstakes ban a notable shift in direction for 2026.
Land-Based Casinos in Indiana
Indiana has a substantial land-based casino industry built around its original riverboat framework. Most "riverboat" casinos are now permanently docked or have moved to purpose-built land facilities, though the licensing framework retains the riverboat terminology.
- Ameristar Casino (East Chicago): A 56,000-square-foot venue with 2,000+ slot machines, table games, a baccarat room, and dining options. Located on Lake Michigan.
- Blue Chip Casino (Michigan City): Around 1,900 slots, 40+ table games, poker tables, and a hotel. Also on Lake Michigan.
- Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg: One of the busiest casinos in the Midwest, near Cincinnati, with a large gaming floor and hotel.
- French Lick Resort Casino (French Lick): A Vegas-style casino in a historic resort setting with 51,000 square feet, 37 live dealer tables including blackjack, craps, and roulette, and a poker room.
- Four Winds South Bend: Indiana's only tribal casino, operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Opened January 2018 with slots, table games, and poker.
Racinos
Indiana Grand (Shelbyville) and Hoosier Park (Anderson) are the state's two racino venues, offering live thoroughbred and standardbred horse racing alongside approximately 2,000 electronic gaming machines each. Both also offer sports betting through licensed apps.
Responsible Gambling in Indiana
- Indiana Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-994-8448, available 24/7. Operated by the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling, providing confidential support, counselling referrals, and treatment resources.
- Self-Exclusion Programme: The Indiana Gaming Commission administers voluntary self-exclusion covering all licensed casinos. HB 1052 expands this to include licensed sports betting operators — previously, the programme only covered casino facilities.
- National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700, available 24/7 by phone, text, and live chat at ncpgambling.org.