Is Sports Betting Legal in Indiana?
One of the areas most likely to adopt sports betting in a hurry is the Midwest. Most states have casinos and there is a rich tradition across the Rust Belt states when it comes to gambling. Pennsylvania is moving quickly, Ohio is behind as it always is, but states like Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and, of course, Indiana seem pretty excited about the, pardon the pun, proposition.
Indiana already has casinos within its borders, which makes everything so much easier. Most of the Bible Belt states have very limited casino options or don’t have them at all. Indiana is moving forward and doing so quickly. The Hoosier State won’t have betting for 2018, but the state legislature already has it written on the books for 2019 and the fact that Indiana will have frames of reference from states like Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi, and probably Pennsylvania will be a big help in the process.
Some states have a much cloudier outlook, but Indiana seems like one where we already know the outcome, we’re just wondering about the timing when the Colts are offered at Belterra or the Horseshoe in Hammond is taking Bears bets and Hoosiers tickets on Sundays. One thing that will help expedite the process in Indiana is that most of the states’ casinos are on borders. That enhances revenue potential and also pushes Indiana to act quicker if neighboring states do.
Recent News Stories About Betting
On June 10, the Journal Gazette’s Niki Kelly talked about the questions that legislators are pondering.
Shortly after PASPA was struck down, Mark Alesia of the Indy Star addressed the wait-and-see approach the state government would take.
Not everybody is on board with sports betting, as Curt Smith penned an op/ed piece for the Indianapolis Business Journal citing many of the same opinions we’ve always heard from the anti-gambling crowd.
Columnist Gregg Doyel of the Indy Star had a different take.
Forecast
Indiana should move quickly in 2019 and should have sports betting on the books by the 2019 football season. The bigger question will be whether or not kiosks and app betting will be allowed. Indianapolis is relatively close to Hoosier Park and Indiana Grand, but most casinos are around the state borders. Proximity to Indianapolis would provide a lot more revenue for the state.
Neighboring States
