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, rumor has it that Indiana is anticipating the launch of online casinos, as there has been tons of legislative action for a while now. And clearly the state’s retail casinos and online sports betting facilities are already buzzing with activity.
However, until online gambling in Indiana gets the go-ahead, 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. Currently, the closest legal option is Michigan online casinos.
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. Plus, since there have been a ton of sports betting advancements in retail and online platforms, it’s unlikely to be too long before Indiana online casinos are up and running.
However, the current gap in the online casino market makes room for unsafe offshore sites. These casinos are designed to look legal but are not. Even after online gambling is legal in Indiana, we strongly recommend checking out a casino’s licensing to ensure it’s all above board.
Indiana Social Casinos
While online casinos are yet to be legalized, Indiana boasts a fair amount of retail and tribal casinos to keep you going. However, if you’re looking for the ultimate online experience, playing on legal social and sweepstakes casinos in the USA is a much more convenient option.
If you’re wondering what social casinos are, essentially, they’re online casinos that work in a similar way to real money sites but instead of wagering actual cash, you play using a free virtual currency. The only difference 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.
There are plenty of social and sweepstakes casinos to take advantage of in the Hoosier State. Some of our top-rated sites include the Casino Pulsz, the WOW Vegas casino online, BetRivers.net casino, Stake Casino US, High 5 casino online, B Spot online casino, Gambino Slots Casino, Winstar social casino, and McLuck Social Casino.
Registering an account at these sites is also super simple. All you need to do is click the links to the best Indiana social casinos on this page to navigate to your chosen site, then hit the “Register” or “Sign Up” button. After inputting your personal information, you can claim your welcome bonus and start playing within minutes! Many social and sweepstakes sites also allow you to register using your social media account.
Indiana Sweepstakes Casinos in Indiana
Sweepstakes casinos work in the same way as 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 at the a best free sc coins casino, and you can use these coins 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 using the efficient banking options available, such as e-wallets, debit/credit cards, prepaid cards, and more.
Indiana Casino Apps
Since there are no legal online casinos in Indiana right now, it will likely be a year or two 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. You get superior usability, enhanced connectivity, and the option to turn on alerts and notifications. That way, you can stay in the loop of all the hottest Indiana social casino bonuses.
Indiana Online Casino Bonuses
Online sports betting has been live for over three years In Indiana. Plus, with the presence of well-established IN retail casinos owned by gaming head honchos like Rush Street Interactive and Caesars, 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. Therefore, they’ll likely have a “head start” in the state, thanks to their existing presence.
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?
Indiana is considered to be at the forefront when it comes to legal online casinos, creating a lot of anticipation and excitement among individuals eagerly awaiting its launch. The Hoosier State’s progress in this area has everyone on edge, waiting to see what unfolds next. As we’ve discussed, Indiana already hosts several prominent sportsbook platforms, and those sports betting sites have their foot in the door for the launch of their online casinos, too.
Online casino legislation was attempted in 2022, then in 2023, but both faced failures. 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. Additionally, Manning’s bill included plans to bump the state lottery to an online lottery. Since it is a frontrunner state anticipated to go live before other top states, there will likely be a rush to quickly get things going once authorized.
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. We’ll go into more detail on the riverboat casino later on in this guide.
The very next year, Hoosier Park in Anderson became the state’s first regulated thoroughbred racing track. Indiana was even one of the first states to legalize DFS when Governor Mike Pence signed Bill 339 in 2016.
So, with all this openness to gambling, why are online casinos still not legalized? Well, it’s likely for fear of cannibalizing Indiana’s robust land casino industry. However, the state will be losing revenue to nearby Michigan (which even has online poker) and to offshore sites, too. 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.
Is Indiana Sports Betting Legal?
Yes - both online and in person! Indiana was one of the first off the bat 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. Of course – these big brands also have casino platforms available in other states, too, so we eagerly anticipate the arrival of IN versions.
Land Casinos in Indiana
If you’re searching for a taste of that authentic land-based gambling action, you can 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. If you’d prefer something a little spicier, head to Youyu Noodle Bar to help get you fired up for another round on the slot machines. 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, a 54,000-square-foot casino floor, a full Caesars Sportsbook, plus 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.
Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg
Thanks to Indiana’s Hollywood Casino, what happens in Vegas doesn’t need to stay in Vegas. With over 1,300 slot machines to test your luck on, plus over 70 table games, you’ll be spoiled for choice. The casino also offers an exclusive “Credit Line” option, where you’re able to apply for interest/fee-free funds to see you on your way to gameplay.
You can also hit the Barstool Sportsbook and dine in its restaurant, enjoy promotions, and become a member of the resort loyalty program to receive some VIP casino treatment.
Indiana Riverboat Casinos
Riverboat casinos have an interesting history in the state. This is because 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 or remodel, or even relocate. For example, Caesars Southern Indiana, which used to be called Horseshoe Southern Indiana, moved inland in 2019.
Are Indiana Poker Rooms Legal?
The Hoosier State views poker differently depending on when you’re playing in a dedicated poker room or online. 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.
Racinos in Indiana
In their most basic form, racinos are a cross between a racetrack and a casino. And yes, they’re legal in Indiana. The Hoosier State is home to two horse tracks that offer casino games and legal horse betting; Horseshoe Indianapolis and Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing and Casino. There are also three Winner’s Circle Sports Pubs (Off-Track Sports Betting facilities) located in the state, which are ideal for sociable sports fans.
Indiana Lottery
While you can’t yet purchase lottery tickets online, eager IL 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
Whether playing at land-based, social, or sweepstakes 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!