Whether it’s the Pacers or the Hoosiers, the state of Indiana has a love affair with basketball. It should be no surprise then that one of the hobbies Indiana residents have the most questions about is sports betting. They understand there are few things more satisfying than winning a couple bucks off your favorite team. The problem for many Indiana residents is that they are unsure as to the best process for starting up a regular sports betting hobby, and they fear legal repercussions for doing so.
This page exists to not only put prospective bettors in Indiana’s’ minds at ease, but to help them find the very best legal online sportsbooks for Indiana residents to get them started. Along the way we'll cover the reasons why it is perfectly safe for Indiana residents to make online wagers and much more. So, sit back and get ready to learn from our experience...here we go!
The first question to answer for any concerned citizen in Indiana when it comes to sports betting is whether they run any legal risks for doing so. Fortunately, there is a short answer to the question and it’s good news: no.
While both federal and state laws declare that the facilitation of sports betting is a very serious crime that can land a guilty party in prison, neither institution has any interest in arresting an otherwise honest resident merely for participating in sports betting. In fact, in the long history of arrests in Indiana, never once has a law enforcement agency even issued a citation for betting with legal Indiana sports betting sites.
The next question that should follow is how, if it’s illegal to operate a sports betting ring, these online sportsbooks for Indiana residents can operate. The answer isn’t in legalese; it’s in geography. Since the legal sports betting sites that we endorse all operate offshore, well outside of both Indiana and US jurisdiction, they can operate with no fear of prosecution from the US government just so long as they abide by the laws of their native countries.
Read More: Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Indiana?
Indiana residents may feel nervous about betting with offshore businesses, but they should rest assured that the benefits of betting with a legal enterprise far outweigh the risks of sending their money overseas. Firstly, since there is no chance of a law enforcement agency shutting down these sports betting sites, all the money that players put in them will be secure. Secondly, since these are legal establishments, they have access to top of the line software when it comes to security, meaning both your funds and your identity will be secure while using these online sportsbooks for Indiana players. Also, and this part should not be overlooked, our favorite sports betting sites help to ensure that betting on your favorite teams is always easy and fun.
After serving Indiana residents for over two decades, Bovada's online sportsbook has become the industry’s gold standard, offering the most diverse set of betting lines US players will ever see, and odds that guarantee thrilling bets and glorious payouts. Sports fans from all across the state will want to flock to signup at Bovada, as they are the name that stands a full head and shoulders above all the competition in their industry.
Betting with Bovada gets even better than a complete sportsbook with stellar service. We would feel remiss if we didn’t tell all potential users about their award winning mobile site that allows players to bet from anywhere in the world they have a phone signal. You’ll never feel too far away from your bookmaker again – in fact, he’ll always be in your front pocket, ready to take a bet or even cash you out at a moment’s notice.
It’s hard to believe that SportsBetting has been around for more than ten years. It seems like only yesterday that this legal sports betting site for Indiana players burst onto the scene. It boasted the fastest turnaround on betting lines in the industry and a profitable partnership with the media giants at ESPN. This sports wagering site has spent the last decade truly coming into its own.
The best part is that there is no reason just to take our word for it. When you make a deposit into an account at SportsBetting, you will find that not only did all of your money make it over safe and sound, but that the sportsbook added an additional 25% of your deposit in the top of it in the form of free bonus money. You can use this money to place bets without risking any of your actual deposit, and best of all, this is not a mere sign-up bonus. All SportsBetting members qualify for 25% of their deposit back for the life of their account. Don’t miss this fantastic deal – sign up today!
| Sportsbook | Bonus | Indiana Welcome? | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Up To $250 First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| SportsBetting | 50% Match On First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| BetOnline Sportsbook | $1,000 On All Deposits - 25% | Yes | Visit |
| 5Dimes Sportsbook | 50% To $200 Then 20% To $500 | Yes | Visit |
Unfortunately, due to federal policy in the subject, it’s impossible for Indiana to sanction any brick and mortar sports betting facilities. This means that their only real option for land based betting is to seek out illicit operations. This is not recommended for many reason, most of all, these are incredibly unsafe places to keep your money. Between the risk of trusting a criminal operation with your money in the first place and the government shutting down and seizing your funds, land-based sports betting is not a viable option in Indiana.
It’s a good thing that legal sports wagering sites for Indiana residents are such a good option – because they’re the only one.
We have learned that it is indeed entirely possible to enjoy legal gambling in Indiana and for residents to bet on sports with no interference from law enforcement agencies. However, there is one key exception to this rule: they must follow the legal betting age in their state. The legal sports betting situation can quickly deteriorate for Indiana players if they attempt to bet on sports before they turn 21. If an underage player is caught, the state of Indiana will hand down a steep legal fine, and their sportsbook will seize and delete all of their money, including winnings.
In this page, we have learned that not only can Indiana residents bet on sports with no fear of legal repercussions, but also we found some of the top venues on the world for doing so. Indiana players should now have all the tools they need to bet on the Pacers all the way through the finals or for the Hoosiers to rock the world in the Final Four.