Casino Gambling in Indiana

Indiana Casino Guide

Facts About Gambling & Online Casinos in Indiana

While residents of Indiana can play in dozens of online casinos for U.S. players, there are just as many options available in the state. With close to a dozen Indiana casinos and a couple of racetrack casinos, you have a great range of choices.

History of Gambling in Indiana

The Hoosier Lottery was legalized in 1988 when voters hit the polls in support of the referendum. The first scratch-off ticket was sold in 1989. The next change came in 1994 when Hoosier Park opened to offer horseracing. Off-track betting parlors followed shortly after with the first location opening in 1995.

That same year, the first riverboat casino opened. While the Indiana Riverboat Gaming Act passed in 1993, it took a couple of years before the first casino was ready for players. Nine more casinos followed. In 2004, the government passed legislation allowing Indiana’s first land-based casino to open.

Three years would pass before the next major event in Indiana’s gambling timeline occurred. During 2007, the Indiana Legislature legalized slot machines at horse racing establishments. Each of the two tracks was able to add up to 2,000 video slots, leading to the state’s two racinos.

Age Restrictions for Gambling in Indiana

If you want to play in Indiana casinos, get ready to prove you are at least 21 years of age. The only thing you can do if you are 18, 19, or 20 is bet on the ponies or by tickets and scratch offs with the Hoosier Lottery.

Indiana’s Casino Gambling Outlook

Currently, Indiana is approaching the idea of allowing riverboat casinos to expand and build on land. Discussions in 2015 also are asking if legalizing horse track casinos to add table games. While the table games idea for horse tracks was dropped, 10 riverboat casinos were given permission to build casinos near their riverboats. With some players heading out of state to casinos over the lines, there has been a drastic decline in jobs and revenue. Hopes are that by adding more casinos and options, players will start spending their money in Illinois instead.

Local Casinos

As Indiana casinos range from those that are part of racetracks, to those that are on-land, and then riverboat casinos, players will find themselves with plenty of options. If there are no locations nearby, and you really don’t want to drive, online casinos in Indiana are also excellent choices.

On-Land Casinos:
• French Lick Resort Casino in French Lick
Racinos:
• Hoosier Park in Anderson
• Indiana Grand Casino in Shelbyville
Riverboat Casinos:
• Ameristar in East Chicago
• Belterra Casino in Florence
• Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City
• Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg
• Horseshoe Southern Indiana in Elizabeth
• Horseshoe Casino in Hammond
• Majestic Star I and Majestic Star II, both in Gary
• Rising Star Casino Resort in Rising Sun
• Tropicana in Evansville