The Indiana Gaming Commission voted unanimously to approve emergency rules enacting House Enrolled Act 1015’s sports betting provisions. As a result, Indiana became the 12th state to offer legalized sports betting, starting Sunday, September 1. The state’s 13 casinos and three off-track betting sites will be able to offer sports wagering after applying and receiving approval from the IGC.
Five casinos have done that so far: Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, Indiana Grand Casino in Shelbyville, Ameristar Casino in East Chicago, Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, and French Lick Casino. IGC Executive Director Sara Gonso Tait said she expects other casinos to apply and be approved for sports betting soon.
Sports betting is projected to generate $87 million in annual tax revenue by 2024. Sports betting revenue will be taxed at 9.5 percent with all of the revenue going to the state.
Four casinos announced plans to open retail sportsbooks by the National Football League’s September 5 kickoff, but most operators’ sportsbooks will open by Week 2.
Penn National Gaming opened two sportsbooks on September 1–at Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg and Ameristar Casino East Chicago, where Chicago Bears icons Mike Ditka and Devin Hester placed the first wagers. Hollywood Casino plans a ceremonial ribbon-cutting on September 7 with Cincinnati sports legends Anthony Munoz and Tony Perez.
Penn National Gaming Chief Executive Officer Timothy J. Wilmott said, “The enthusiasm around sports betting has been growing since the federal ban was repealed last year, and we look forward to providing our patrons with another great amenity to enjoy at our facility.” Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg Assistant General Manager Ryan Coppola said, “Our customers can’t wait to begin wagering on sports. This region is a hotbed of both professional sports and college athletics, and we hope to become a destination for fans from Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.”
Caesars Entertainment’s Horseshoe Hammond Casino is targeting its sportsbook opening for September 4. Boyd Gaming’s Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City will launch its FanDuel Sportsbook on September 5 and its Belterra Casino in Florence will kick off sports betting on September 9.
Tropicana Evansville announced it will offer sportsbook operator William Hill’s first Indiana sportsbook, expected to open this week. Guests and bettors will be able to access William Hill’s mobile app, kiosks and InPlay wagering options.
Tait said the commission has not received any requests to launch mobile sports betting but added, “A lot of jurisdictions have told us as regulators that retail is easier to launch because it folds into existing casino operations. Wisely, I think casino operators have chosen to do this two-tier approach. Right now, efforts are all on the retail side, but we’re still preparing to receive mobile requirements.” She added, “A lot of vendors are just now sending applications in” for online betting, which Tait said could begin in October. Under the new law, online bettors would first have to register in-person at a casino or OTB.
Tait said DraftKings Sportsbook and Churchill Downs have applied for sports betting vendor applications.
Also in Indiana, the pro-casino group Advance West Central Indiana Political Action Committee announced it will host public forums about the casino proposed for Terre Haute in Vigo County on September 3 and September 4. On the November 5 general election ballot, the casino issue will be the first referendum question: “Shall inland casino gambling be permitted in Vigo County?” The Vigo County referendum was authorized under House Bill 1015.
The Indiana Gaming Commission accept applications from potential operators of a Vigo County casino up to December 1. Spectacle Entertainment, operators of the Majestic Star casinos in Gary, and Full House Resorts have expressed interest in developing a Terre Haute casino.
