The Indiana Gaming Commission recently issued temporary sports betting licenses to nine Indiana casinos and three to off-track betting parlors. Sports betting will become legal on September 1. Meanwhile the commission is developing sports wagering rules and regulations.
IGC Deputy Director Jenny Reske said, “September 1 is the first day the activity can be offered but there are a lot of regulatory steps that need to be accomplished prior to launch. We aren’t ruling out that it’s possible but there are no firm plans from any operator to launch on that date. In the next few weeks we might know more on when we go live.”
Reske noted the roll-out could include retail betting at the casinos and OTBs, followed later by online/mobile wagering.
Commission staff also are reviewing vendor license applications from four companies, she said. An online voluntary self-exclusion program for sports wagering also will be available, she added.
Temporary certificates of authority for sports betting were issued to: Ameristar, Belterra, Blue Chip, Caesars Southern Indiana, French Lick Resort, Hollywood Casino, Hoosier Park, Horseshoe Hammond, Indiana Grand, Winner’s Circle Clarksville, Winner’s Circle Indianapolis and Winner’s Circle New Haven.
The Rising Star and Tropicana casinos have not yet applied for sports betting licenses but officials at both venues said they plan to soon. Majestic I and II casinos in Gary also have not applied for a license but one is moving to a new location and will become a $400 million Hard Rock casino and the second casino license will be relinquished for a new Terre Haute casino.
Wagerers will be allowed to bet on professional football, basketball and baseball; professional auto racing; Division I collegiate sports including football, basketball and baseball; professional golf; Olympic games; professional soccer; professional tennis; Ultimate Fighting Championship; and boxing.
