Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville, Ameristar Casino in East Chicago and Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg opened their sports books Sunday, the first day they were allowed by law.
The Indiana Gaming Commission voted Wednesday to allow the operator of Gary’s two casinos to relocate the properties inland, setting up the possibility for a casino near Terre Haute.
Indiana will become the 12th state—and the first in the midst of major Midwest markets—with sports betting when a new state law takes effect Sunday.
Indiana casinos are racing ahead with preparations to launch legalized sports betting in early September, looking to seize an advantage over competitors in Chicago and other nearby large markets where such wagers aren’t yet allowed.
At the Winner’s Circle in downtown Indianapolis, Caesars will add extra bar seating and televisions. It also is adding an activity area with cornhole boards and shuffleboard to create more of a sports-bar-like atmosphere.
Indiana casinos will compete effectively against a slew of new casino sites in Illinois, Gov. Eric Holcomb said Monday.
Eldorado Resorts Inc. announced Monday that it plans to buy Las Vegas-based Caesars Entertainment Corp., creating the largest gambling operator in the United States—and in Indiana.
By year's end, legalization is possible in a dozen states in the Northeast and Midwest. But most states in the Deep South and far West are staying on the sidelines, at least for now.
The Hoosier Lottery is set to study the move that could let players buy tickets for Powerball, Mega Millions and instant games on their phones.
Illinois legislators have approved a giant gambling-expansion bill that allows sports betting and as many as six new casinos, including one in Chicago.
Indiana Gaming Commission Executive Director Sara Gonso Tait said Thursday that state regulators might not be ready by Sept. 1 to allow sports betting, even though a law approved earlier this year makes it legal beginning on that date.
Voter approval of the referendum is required under a law adopted by state legislators this spring allowing construction of a casino in Terre Haute.
Holcomb said he made the decision—which comes on the heels of multiple conflict of interest questions about the gambling bill—to “spur positive economic growth for our state and for an industry that employs over 11,000 Hoosiers.”
NASCAR is making its first big play in the world of expanded legal sports betting, hoping a sports data partnership will lead to gamblers being able to bet during races on much more than just who gets the checkered flag.
With legal sports gambling having already spread to other states, the ban became impractical.
Some observers say the upcoming changes are the most significant in the industry since the Legislature authorized riverboat casinos in 1993.
The updated legislation also would decrease the fee that the owner of the two casinos in Gary would have to pay in order to move a casino from Lake Michigan to a more convenient interstate location.
Lawmakers could wrap up the session as early as Wednesday but negotiations on the new two-year state budget and other issues could delay completion of its business until as late as April 29.
The leader of the Indiana House said he plans to skip votes on a major gambling-related bill after a casino investor arranged a local government contract for his law firm.
Senate Bill 552 would legalize sports wagering, permit a Gary casino to relocate from Lake Michigan to a more convenient interstate location and allow a new casino in Terre Haute.
