The Indiana Gaming Commission posted December sports betting results, with record handle of $313.1 million, resulting in a 2020 total of $1.23 billion. Mobile wagers accounted for 85 percent of the bets. Football made up 32 percent of the total and basketball brought in 29 percent. The previous handle record of $251 million was set in November. Sports betting produced $2.3 million in tax revenue for the state December and $13.2 million for the year. Since sports betting debuted in October 2019, Indiana sportsbooks have generated $2.2 billion in wagers.
Penn National Gaming’s Ameristar Casino in East Chicago brought in handle of $125 million in December. DraftKings, PointsBet, theScore and the Stars Group all operate mobile platforms there. The venue announced it plans to rebrand its on-site retail sportsbook as the Barstool Sportsbook.
PlayIndiana.com Analyst Jessica Welman said, “A lot went right this fall for sportsbooks, and it was on full display in December. The Indianapolis Colts, Notre Dame and Indiana football all continued to attract significant wagering. Then a full month of college basketball, which is more important in Indiana than almost anywhere else, and the start of the NBA season added a year-end boost.”
Gambling.com Group Vice President of U.S. Business Max Bischel stated, “2020 was a phenomenal year for sports betting in Indiana, which continued to break their own records month over month. Mobile betting was integral to the success of the market and will continue to grow its market share in 2021, likely growing to represent over 90 percent of all bets placed.”
Meanwhile, Indiana state Senator Jon Ford recently introduced Senate Bill 417, which would allow the state’s14 casinos and racinos to offer internet casino games and online poker. Ford said online wagering could produce up to $80 million a year in state tax revenue. He said he hopes the bill will get a hearing this month in Senate Public Policy Committee.
In addition, in a separate bill from Ford’s, state Senator Susan Glick introduced Senate Bill 267, which would allow video gaming terminals inside veterans’ clubs, like the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, which is headquartered in Indianapolis. Glick said revenue from the machines would help the organizations recoup revenue lost as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each organization would be allowed to install five video terminals, pay a $150 application fee, with permits renewable every three years. Manufacturers and distributors would pay the state $25,000 upfront, renewable annually for $10,000. Gaming revenue would not be taxed; the veterans’ groups would split the profits with the manufacturer and distributor. Wagers would be capped at $2 and players could win up to $599 on one spin.
The Indiana Licensed Beverage Association also has asked the state to allow its member restaurants to install video terminals. ILBA President Brad Klopfenstein said, “Bars and restaurants have been hurt as hard as or harder than any other industry in the state of Indiana. They need help.”
Klopfenstein said the machines could generate up to $100,000 per year for some restaurants. He noted the organization only wants to install the machines in counties where there are no land-based casinos.
