Indiana sports betting became legal in September of 2019 and brought joy to bettors in the state. It was a milestone for the casino industry, considering Indiana is one of the very few states that were yet to do it.

Live sports betting is hot! Our Indiana sportsbook’s GameCast View and constant odds updates mean you can bet as the game plays out. It’s just one more way to take part in the thrills of sports betting, 24/7. Online Sports Betting Right now, there are 10 active online sportsbooks in Indiana. The Hoosier State is home to DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers, BetAmerica, BetMGM, PointsBet, Caesars, Unibet, theScore Bet, and William Hill, which is the latest addition. These sites give Indiana. How sports betting works in Indiana In order to place bets in the state of Indiana, you must be 21 or older. You can place your bets legally at the state’s physical sportsbooks, online or via app with a legal. Indiana sports betting became legal in September of 2019 and brought joy to bettors in the state. It was a milestone for the casino industry, considering Indiana is one of the very few states that were yet to do it.

It was a slow start in the beginning, with only a couple of casinos taking bets. Eventually though, everyone got comfortable with the new privilege, and 10 other casinos joined in to provide sports betting. Nowadays, you can find many Indiana sportsbooks who will take action on most bets.

The variety has also expanded. Players can put their money on all kinds of sports, including football, boxing, golf, and many more. College games are also available statewide. The only things you can’t bet on are highschool games and junior leagues.

Top Indiana Sports Betting Sites

In order to take advantage of Indiana online sports betting, you will need to learn about betting odds and which are the best online sportsbooks. That's why this guide will help you place your sports bets knowingly in Indiana.

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Best Indiana Online Sportsbooks

One of the most important things you will need to know when getting into Indiana online sports betting is where to place your bets. So, you will need to figure out which sports betting websites are the best for you. And, you will need to learn how to determine which online sportsbook websites are best.

When determining the top sports betting site for you, you will need to look at a few different factors. First, you will want to look at the selection of sports that are offered. Then, you will want to look at the types of bets that you can place on the sports betting websites.

Plus, you will want to look at the types of promotions that are offered on the sports betting websites. The top sports betting site could have a great welcome offer when you create your account. Below, we will look into some of the best sports betting websites available.

BetRivers Indiana Sportsbook

Over the summer of 2020, BetRivers launched its excellent online sportsbook in Indiana. The sister site of SugarHouse, BetRivers is a solid platform backed by years of experience in both brick-and-mortar and online gambling. So, expect a great entry into IN sports betting with the BetRivers online sportsbook.

In addition, BetRivers has a great welcome offer for new online sports betting customers: a 100% deposit match up to $250. So, create a new account and redeem the offer to start placing your bets.

Unibet Indiana Sportsbook

As of July 31st, 2020, Unibet is live in Indiana! Unibet’s parent company Kindred Group secured access to Indiana through an agreement with Caesars Entertainment. The deal gives Unibet 10-year market access through the Caesars’ Horseshoe Hammond casino. Now, Hoosiers can bet on sports with one of the world's leading online sportsbooks. Plus, new users in Indiana who sign up for Unibet Sportsbook can claim 3x $10 free bets and up to $250 as a risk-free bet.

DraftKings Indiana Sportsbook

DraftKings is often referred to as the top sports betting site out there. And, this is because DraftKings has a long history of connecting sports fans with the sports they love. So, it is only natural that the online sportsbook would have some of the betting odds, types of bets, and apps out there.

Plus, when you get started with the DraftKings online sports betting website, you can take advantage of their great welcome offer for new customers. So, you can place a bet using the welcome offer to help make it even easier to get started. Then, you should be up and running when it comes to placing bets on your favorite Indiana sports teams.

FanDuel Indiana Sportsbook

FanDuel IN is another top sports betting site that is very similar to DraftKings. With FanDuel Indiana, you know that you are using an online sports betting site that is loved by many sports betting fans. So, you can trust that a well-respected brand is going to operate pretty smoothly.

In addition, you can use the sign-up offer on the FanDuel online sportsbook to create a new account. Then, you can use the promotion to place your first bet and get a little more out of it. So, you can see if you like the online sportsbook for your Indiana online sports betting needs.

SBK Indiana Sportsbook

SBK is another online sports betting website that you should look into. Sports betting fans will be impressed with the layout and betting odds on the website. Plus, the seasonal promo codes that are offered by the online sportsbook are quite good.

So, if you are curious about this online sportsbook, you can rest assured that Indiana sports betting fans will be able to use it soon. When it launches in Indiana, you can engage in live betting as the sporting events you love are playing. So, you will be able to find the excitement of a live game while you bet at home.

bet365 IN Sportsbook

Without a doubt, bet365 is the world’s leading online sportsbook. Likewise, with their entry into NJ online sports betting, bet365 is proving to be one of the best sportsbooks around. So, can Hoosiers bet with bet365 in Indiana?

As you may know, the Majestic Star Casino is set to become the Hard Rock Gary in the coming months. Now, bet365 partnered with Hard Rock in NJ. So, it’s a fair bet that bet365 Sportsbook will launch in Indiana soon enough.

Just like in NJ, expect to get a bet365 bonus code to snag a great welcome offer. Once bet365 IN Sportsbook goes live, check back here for the full rundown.

BetAmerica Indiana Sportsbook

BetAmerica has launched in Indiana with a new state-of-the-art sports betting facility at the Rising Star Casino. BetAmerica sportsbook offers user the ability to bet on sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA, NHL and international sporting events. The BetAmerica app is available for iOS and Android. Download the app and start betting in Indiana today.

BetMGM Indiana Sportsbook

BetMGM moves into Indiana today giving Indiana residents access to BetMGM’s premier sports betting app. BetMGM sportsbook app is launching into an Indiana sports betting market that is rapidly growing but is confident that they will gain market share. The BetMGM app is available in iOS and Android. Bettors will have access to the state-of-the-art betting features including in-game betting. The technology powering the BetMGM app comes from Roar Digital which is a joint venture between GVC Holdings and MGM Resorts.

PointsBet Indiana Sportsbook

After massive success in NJ, PointsBet joined the Indiana sports betting market and has quickly become a fan favorite. PointsBet IN is built on the same top-notch technology offered in NJ and PointsBet Iowa. Plus, Hoosiers can claim the same welcome offer from PointsBet. That means you can deposit just $50 and bet with $50! Remember, read all terms and conditions before claiming any bonus offer. Likewise, you must be 21 or older. In any case, PointsBet Indiana is a welcome addition to the Hoosier betting landscape.

Top 5 Indiana Sports Betting Apps

Now, once you have found the sports betting websites that you want to use, you will want to look into sports betting apps. When you use a sports betting app, you can keep up to date on the bets you place while you are on the go. So, you never have to disengage from the sports betting action.

Chances are, your favorite online sportsbook also has a betting app launched. So, these online sportsbooks are the places to start looking for your Indiana online sports betting apps.

The following online sports betting mobile apps are great apps to look into. These apps are going to be enjoyed by many Indiana sports fans throughout the year. And, you should be able to download and install them fairly easily.

Keep in mind that the Google Play store does not allow real money betting apps.

1. DraftKings IN Sports Betting App

As you might’ve guessed, the DraftKings Sportsbook app is one of the top online sportsbooks in the business. The sportsbook app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

Indiana Betting App

Just like DraftKings online sportsbook, you can claim the DraftKings welcome offer right in the app. Download the DraftKings app today in New Jersey, West Virginia, and Indiana. Get your first deposit matched 20% up to $500. Then, snag a $200 risk-free bet!

2. FanDuel IN Sports Betting App

In NJ, FanDuel is hands down an excellent online sportsbook. In fact, over half of all mobile sports betting in New Jersey happens with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Right now, you can bet with FanDuel in NJ, PA, WV, CO, IN, and IL. Claim your risk-free first bet up to $1,000 when you join FanDuel today.

3. BetRivers IN Sports Betting App

If you’ve been to NJ recently, you may be more familiar with BetRivers’ sister sportsbook, SugarHouse. That said, Rush Street Interactive, the parent company, has decided to merge their two brands under the BetRivers name.

Plus, BetRivers is live in Indiana. The first online sportsbook for Hoosiers, BetRivers Sportsbook does not disappoint.

Get a 100% match deposit bonus up to $250 when you sign up at BetRivers today.

4. PointsBet IN Sports Betting App

As we said above, Hoosiers can sign up with PointsBet now! Already, PointsBet NJ Sportsbook has climbed to the top tier of online sports betting.

PointsBet’s partnership with Penn National gave it direct access to launch in Indiana in conjunction with both Ameristar Casino in East Chicago, IN and Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg. Also, with their sportsbook already active in Iowa, along with the PointsBet Sportsbook app, check out PointsBet IN today to claim your welcome offer.

5. BetMGM Sportsbook App

While not yet live in Indiana, BetMGM has been killing it in the NJ sports betting market. From the renowned MGM brand, BetMGM not only offers great online sports betting, but also online casino games and poker.

Indiana Sports Betting Laws

Now, you may be curious about when Indiana online sports betting became legal. As mentioned before, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, also known as PASPA was struck down in 2018 by the United States Supreme Court. The overturning of the act gave each state the opportunity to pass their own legislation regarding sports betting and online sports betting.

Some states, like New Jersey, in particular, took no time in enacting their own sports betting legislation. In May of 2019, the governor of Indiana signed their own sports betting legislation into law. So, sports betting both online and in-person at a casino is now officially legal in the state of Indiana.

Sports betting licenses began being issued in July of 2019. Retail sportsbooks were allowed to open their doors in early September 2019. Online sports betting launched statewide officially at the beginning of October 2019. Indiana Gaming Commission is responsible for the regulation and licensing enforcement.

It is important to note that only Indiana sports betting and Indiana online sports betting is being talked about above. Indiana casinos and Indiana online casinos have their own legislation. As of right now, casinos are legal in Indiana.

And, it is legal for these casinos to apply for licenses to operate retail sportsbooks. However, online casinos in Indiana are not yet legal. So, you should keep an eye out for legislation to allow for online casinos in the state.

Indiana Online Sports Betting : Events & Betting Markets

When getting into Indiana online sports betting, you will want to keep aware of the big sporting events of the year. This is because you will want to place your bets on these big sporting events. Many online sportsbooks offer promotions centered around these major sporting events.

In order to be aware of the major sporting events, you will want to be aware of the betting markets offered. The betting markets on online sportsbooks basically means the sports offered on each online sportsbook. So, you will want to make sure your favorite sports are part of these betting markets listed.

Plus, you will want to look into the sporting events that are particularly popular in your state. This is because an online sportsbook in Indiana may offer an Indiana specific promotion. So, you will want to make sure to take advantage of these kinds of promotions.

Indiana Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is a new way to play on major league sports teams and players in Indiana. Try your sports knowledge skills by playing DFS, on a variety sports events like NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL PGA, MLS, and more.

Common Types of Bets

There are many common types of bets that you can place when engaging in Indiana online sports betting. For these bets, you will want to make sure to check out the betting odds when placing your wagers.

In order to make the best use of your wagers, you will need to make sure you understand betting odds. These odds can help you calculate the potential payout you will receive for a winning bet.

Plus, you will want to make sure you know which bets to place. Placing the best bet for each event is important in order to try and win the most you can. So, here is an explanation for the most popular bets you will find.

• Outright Win – The most common type of sports bet. In an outright win bet, you choose the team (or player in a game like tennis or golf) who you believe will be the outright winner of the match.
• Prop Bets – In sports betting, a 'proposition bet' is also called a prop bet. It is a bet made surrounding the happening or not happening during a sporting event of something occurring that is not directly affecting the game's ultimate outcome.
• Point Spreads - has to do with betting on the points scored in the sporting event. You are betting on what you believe the score will be at a certain point in the game.
• First Player to Score – This is a fun kind of bet to place on a sporting event that involves teams. You will simply place your bet on the player that you expect to score first.
• Winning Team at Halftime – The team that leads at halftime is not always the team that wins the match. So, you can put this challenge to yourself and place a halftime winner bet.

Most Popular Sports to Bet On

In Indiana, the most popular sports to bet on tend to be the most popular sports in the United States. Each state has sports that are more watched than others.

Typically, a sport is more popular in a state if that state has its own professional sports team for it.

However, you will also want to look into which sports are most popular in the country as a whole. That way, you will be aware of all of the sporting events you could be betting on. And, you can take advantage of the betting seasons associated with each sport.

• Basketball (NBA / NCAAb) – Indiana is a huge fan of basketball as a whole. The birthplace of the sport, Indiana is basketball central. Whether it’s the Pacers in the NBA, betting on the Hoosiers at Indiana State, or backing the Fever to win the WNBA, Indiana basketball betting has got you covered.
• Football (NFL & NCAAf) – Indiana is, without doubt, a state that loves football. Of course, football is perhaps the most popular sport in America. With the Colts a consistently strong team in the regular season, betting on Indiana football might be worth a look.
• Baseball (MLB) – Baseball is, as they say, as American as apple pie. So, it is no surprise that Indiana sports fans love to bet on baseball. Despite not having a state team, Hoosiers across the state watch and bet on baseball.
• Hockey (NHL) – Hockey is another sport that owes its popularity in Indiana to the northern climate of the Hoosier State. While the state doesn’t have it’s own NHL team, that doesn’t mean you can’t find hockey fans who want to bet. Maybe one day they’ll start back up the Central Hockey League and Indiana can shine once more.

Popular Indiana Events

Another important factor when getting into Indiana online sports betting is to know about which sporting events are popular in the state. Indiana has its own sports that fans tend to be more excited about. So, you will want to know which events are going to be highly watched and bet on in the state.

Indiana has two professional sports teams that are extremely popular in the state. These teams are the Indiana Pacers in the NBA (basketball) and the Indiana Colts in the NFL (football). So, basketball and football games that involve these two teams will be very popular in the Indiana sports betting market.

In addition, you will want to look into college football betting. As Notre Dame University is located in Indiana, you will see that the Notre Dame sports teams are also very popular in the state. However, you will want to look into the college sports betting laws in the state.

Betting on Pro Sports Teams in Indiana

The Indiana sports betting markets came out with all major leagues as headliners. Players could bet on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS in any Indiana sportsbook. Over the months, it’s extended to almost every professional sports team in the state.

You can also bet on single-player sports like tennis and golf, and they do play in leagues on occasions. Many Indiana betting sites also offer brackets for these games.

NFL Betting in Indiana

With the legalization of Indiana online sports betting comes the thrilling events of the most popular sports to bet on, including NFL games.

There are so many ways you can get your money in on NFL games. Most Indiana sportsbooks offer the same lines with varying odds.

Players have a lot of options when it comes to football. Starting the season with some preliminary game bets could earn you some juicy bonuses. If you can’t wait for the playoffs, try setting up brackets and play the long game.

The most popular betting options for NFL matches are Spreads and Moneyline. You’ll find them on every bookmaker site. Since it’s a competitive scene, the odds are pretty consistent across Indiana betting sites.

Betting on the Indiana Colts

The Colts are Indiana’s only NFL team and a two-time Superbowl champion. Betting on them is a bit tricky. If you’re from IN and want to support the home team, that’s fine. From a financial standpoint, however, it’s not always the best choice. The Indiana sports betting market has much better options for its players.

The team has been quiet for several seasons, despite making it to the playoffs a couple of years back. They’d be a good matchup against lower-tier teams, depending on the odds.

NBA Betting in Indiana

Basketball is another popular sport on Indiana betting sites. You’ll find tons of games, including NBA pre-season and off-season.

NBA matches are known to have tight odds, making it one of the most difficult sports on which to place a winning bet. Playing at such a fast pace makes live betting super intense. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to just pick a winner, given reasonable odds.

Over/under is the most mainstream option in most Indiana sportsbooks. It’s an easy bet to win and takes little research. Indiana sports betting legalization has brought many bookies with the option to place over/unders.

Betting on the Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are the state NBA team with a couple of championships under their belt. That was a long time ago, though.

In recent years, they have managed to make the playoffs many seasons in a row, but that is the extent of their success. You can bet on the Pacers before playoffs begin, as they’re still a strong team. After that, there will be way better choices in the Indiana sports betting pools.

NHL Betting in Indiana

Hockey is an explosive sport and has the tendency to go beyond simple scoring. Many weird side bets surround NHL games, such as who would end up fighting who. It’s also got the most aggressive player base of all the Indiana sports betting markets.

Other than that, the NHL has some exciting betting options. Players can wager based on Puck Line, which is similar to Spreads. If a team wins or loses within that line, you stand the chance to make some money.

Since the NHL is smaller than basketball and football, the odds for these games can go pretty high. Bookies need to keep a balanced player base among the major leagues, so they sometimes raise the odds in your favor.

Though Indiana online sports betting is legal, there are still some restrictions on in-play wagering. Some casinos still offer lighter forms of live betting for NHL games, so keep an eye out for that.

Betting on the Fort Wayne Komets

Indiana doesn’t have an NHL team, but there is a pro hockey team. The Komets are considered a minor league team and have won over 12 division titles.

Unfortunately, not a lot of Indiana sports betting casinos cover non-national sports leagues. You won’t find much action involving the Komets.

MLS Betting in Indiana

While Americans are just warming up to the sport, soccer still has the largest audience in the world. This remains the case when it comes to Indiana sports betting. Major leagues in soccer have the highest player base in the market.

The Indiana online sports betting markets have some fun wagers in MLS games. For example, you can bet on goals or score, or both. You can also go with regular options like moneyline and parlays.

Betting on MLS teams in Indiana

Since the Hoosier state does not have any major league soccer teams, you’ll have to look to other areas for soccer action on Indiana sportsbooks. Some Indiana betting sites will still offer MLS games, but for other places.

Other Indiana Teams to Bet on

Betting on College Football in Indiana

College football has a great presence on sportsbooks now that Indiana sports betting is legal. Here are some of the best NCAA teams in the state.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Indiana Hoosiers

Manchester Spartans

Purdue Northwest Pride

Betting on College Basketball in Indiana

College basketball is always a good Indiana online sports betting choice. The Hoosier State has some heavy hitters in their NCAA lineups. You’ll have the same betting options for these games as all the major league matches.

Here are some of the hottest teams to wager on Indiana sports betting sites:

Manchester University

Saint Joseph Pumas

Purdue University

Notre Dame

Indiana Online Sports Betting FAQ

So, you may still have some questions about Indiana online sports betting. In this section, we will try to answer any questions you may have. Here are some of the most common questions you may run into.

Are sports betting websites legal in the United States?

As mentioned before, as of 2018, states are allowed to regulate sports betting on their own. So, sports betting websites are legal in some states in the United States.

What do I need to register at an online betting site in Indiana?

To register for an Indiana online sports betting website, you will need to make sure you are 21 years of age or older. And, you will need to make sure you are located within the state of Indiana.

Is it safe to deposit money at sports betting websites in Indiana?

If you choose one of the Indiana online sports betting websites listed above, it should be safe to deposit money into your account. Make sure to always choose a reputable sportsbook for your online sports betting needs.

Can I set betting limits?

Most online sportsbooks will allow you to set betting limits for yourself. You will have to do your own research on these online sportsbooks when you sign up.

How do I get started at an Indiana betting site?

Each online sportsbook has its own registration you need to follow to create an account. The website will guide you through the steps, which will typically involve inputting personal information into a form.

Common Payment Options

Another important part of your Indiana online sports betting journey is learning how to deposit money into your online sportsbook account. You will want to make sure the online sportsbook you choose accepts a form of payment that you have. And, you will want to make sure you can also withdraw your winnings with no problems.

The most common forms of payment you can use when Indiana online sports betting are below.

• Credit cards (Usually Visa card and Mastercard)
• Debit cards (Usually Visa card and Mastercard)
• ACH transfer/eCheck
• Wire transfer
• PayPal
• PayNearMe
• Cash at the Cage
• Online Banking
• Neteller

Indiana Sports Betting Bonuses & Promotions

A really fun part of Indiana online sports betting is looking into the types of promotions and bonuses that are offered on each online sportsbook. Every online sportsbook will have their own types of promotions offered. However, many of these promotions will be very similar.

Common Types of Promotions

• Welcome Offers – This is an offer you will receive when you create a new account. It might be bonus cash or your first bet risk-free.
• First deposit Match – This will give you a 100% match up to a certain amount for your first deposit as long as it qualifies.
• Bonus Codes – During the sports season, many online sportsbooks will offer various bonus codes. These codes unlock all sorts of bonuses, like bet boosters, deposit matches, and more.
• Refer-A-Friend Bonus – When you refer a friend to the online sportsbook and they create an account, you will receive bonus cash.
• Rewards Program – With a rewards program, you will earn points towards rewards and prizes for every dollar you spend.

Final Thoughts on Betting in Indiana

Indiana online sports betting should be very exciting for sports fans in the state. Now that it is legal, many sports fans will be flocking to the online sportsbooks. And, the state is sure to see a boost to its economy as a result.

Now, you should know all that you need to get started with Indiana online sports betting. So, you should start looking into the online sportsbooks that interest you. That way, you can be a betting expert in no time!

Other states where you can place an online sports bet :

Colorado Illinois Iowa Michigan Nevada New Jersey Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia West Virginia

Sports betting bonuses are a byproduct of the competitive mobile sportsbook industry now operating in Indiana. Sensible legislation and the hard work of the people at the Indiana Gaming Commission have established an industry ripe for innovation and competition.

“Competition” is the key word there because when business compete for customers, it is the customers who win. This holds true in online betting as well, and Indiana sportsbooks have brought out the big guns as they fight for your attention.

Deposit bonuses, free bet offers and other promotions of all different stripes have become the order of the day in Indiana lately.

Best Indiana Betting Bonuses

Online betting bonuses offer customers the rare chance to get ahead of the sportsbook and essentially play with house money. Every offer comes with its caveats, of course, but the overall quality of Indiana betting bonuses right now is surprisingly high. There are many good deals to be had and very few bad deals worth skipping.

We’ll be digging into the ins and outs of betting bonuses over the course of this guide, but know that any offers you see recommended on this page are generally good deals from a value perspective. We vet every offer and will never recommend a bonus that is subpar or predatory. Bait and switch promos have no place at IndianaBetting.com.

That being said, not every offer is necessarily right for every player. One of the key skills we hope to impart with this guide is the ability to vet promotions by understanding how they work and what to watch out for on any terms-and-conditions pages. More on that shortly.

Indiana Sportsbook Bonus Codes

When you sign up for an account or go to make a deposit at some sportsbooks, you will be asked for a promo code, bonus code or something to that effect. What you’re being asked for is a certain phrase or word in order to claim the bonus of your choice.

For example, DraftKings Indiana asks for a promo code on the initial signup page:

Betting bonus codes are almost like a secret passphrase used to unlock a reward. This is part marketing strategy to instill the sense you’re getting something exclusive and part analytics tool so sportsbook operators can gauge the effectiveness of their various marketing campaigns.

It often makes no difference whether or not you enter a bonus code at all. In many cases, you’ll get the same bonus no matter what you type into the promo code field. However, there are occasions in which knowing the right promo code will get you a larger bonus that actually is exclusive.

Keep an eye on any promo codes listed here at IndianaBetting.com. We keep all bonus offer details, promo codes and important information up to date at all times.

Wagering Requirements Explained

Before we dive into explaining the various types of deposit bonuses and promotions offered by Indiana sportsbooks, it is important to explain how wagering requirements work what to look for in other terms and conditions.

Very rare is the bonus that is offered without wagering requirements and various other terms. Understanding how these things work will go a long way in helping you quickly judge the value of any offer you come across.

If you read the fine print of just about any deposit bonus, you are likely to see a reference to wagering requirements, rollover or playthrough. All three terms refer to the same thing, which is a stipulation that you must place a certain dollar value worth of wagers prior to withdrawing the bonus money or any winnings won by wagering the bonus money.

The lower the wagering requirements, the better the bonus. The higher the wagering requirements, the less valuable the bonus.

Why It Is Important to Note Wagering Requirements

To use a simple example, consider a 100% up to $250 deposit bonus.

If the rollover on this example bonus is 1x (which does happen from time to time), you would be required to place $250 worth of wagers before you can withdraw the bonus money or any winnings associated with the bonus money.

Compare that to an example bonus of 100% up to $500.

This one, however, comes with a 25x rollover (which is not uncommon). If you claimed the full bonus amount in this example, you would have to place $12,500 worth of wagers to clear it for withdrawal.

Determining which bonus is better comes down to understanding your own skill level and betting style.

Are you a winning sports bettor (be honest)?

If so, the $500 bonus from our example above will serve you just fine. All you need to do is place at least $12,500 worth of wagers with your winning edge and you have a good chance of coming out ahead at the end of it all.

Are you a high-volume bettor?

If so, the $500 bonus is still the better choice. If you know you will eventually place $12,500 worth of wagers (win or lose), this offer gives you an extra $500 to help pad the bankroll. You’ll either have an extra $500 worth of winnings or soften the blow by $500 for doing something you were already planning to do anyways (bet a lot on sports).

Are you a new or casual bettor?

On the other hand, new and casual sports bettors will be better served by the $250 bonus with a simple 1x rollover. You only need to place $250 worth of wagers in this instance, and that means you will be exposed to less commission over the course of clearing the bonus.

The story is much the same for casual bettors who only place the occasional wager. You have a much better chance of clearing the entire bonus before it expires if all you have to do is place $250 or more worth of wagers. Plus, you can pick and choose your wagers more carefully since you don’t have to churn through so much money just to clear the bonus.

Or, you can just claim both bonuses.

The discussion up to this point assumes you have to pick between one bonus or another. In reality, you can claim multiple bonuses and clear them one by one. Experienced and casual bettors alike are likely best served by starting with the low rollover bonus, clearing it quickly and then moving on to bigger bonuses with higher wagering requirements.

Important Terms and Conditions

Wagering requirements are not the only thing to note when it comes to choosing a betting bonus. They are definitely important, but other terms and conditions you are likely to see sooner or later include:

Withdrawable vs. Non-withdrawable

Some bonuses may be withdrawn; others may only be used to place sports wagers. Look for phrases such as “site credit” that indicate the bonus itself cannot be withdrawn.

It is usually better if you’re able to withdraw the bonus itself in addition to any winnings, but you should also take into account wagering requirements and other terms to get a true sense of the true value of any individual bonus.

Odds Restrictions

Betting bonuses often come with a term that states something to the effect of “only wagers placed at odds of -200 or greater count towards meeting the rollover.”

This means wagers placed at odds of -200, -110, +200 and so on count towards the rollover while wagers placed at odds of -250, -300, -400 and so on do not.

This restriction is enforced by some sportsbooks to prevent customers from claiming a large bonus and then clearing it with low-risk, low-pay wagers. A customer could even conceivably place a single large wager at low odds and have a very good chance of clearing the entire bonus all in one shot without a whole lot of risk.

Deposit Deadlines

Read the fine print of many betting bonuses and you’ll find you have a finite amount of time between signing up for an account and making your first deposit in order to be eligible for that sportsbook’s new customer offer.

Clearing Deadlines

Most betting bonuses only give you so much time to meet the wagering requirements before the bonus expires.

If the bonus is released in increments, you will still get to keep any portion of the bonus you managed to clear before the deadline. If the bonus is released in one big chunk, you get nothing if the deadline passes before you meet the wagering requirements. This is obviously an important thing to look for in any offer’s terms and conditions.

Location Restrictions

In the fractured US sports betting market in which every sportsbook is forced to operate quasi-independent websites for each state, it is easy to get mixed up as a customer and end up at, say BetRivers Pennsylvania as opposed to BetRivers Indiana.

You will also occasionally come across promotions advertised on third-party websites that are only meant for customers in a certain state. Make sure any offer you see is intended for customers in your state.

Vague Terms and Conditions

Unfortunately, most betting bonuses include at least one vague term that can be invoked to rescind the offer. These types of terms are usually couched in language detailing “bonus abuse” or “violating the spirit of the promotion,” whatever that means.

How these terms are enforced and what they mean is left to the discretion of each operator. The general sense is that mobile sportsbooks do not want customers to find ways to claim bonuses with low risk and then leave with no intention of sticking around, but the lack of clarity also opens customers to abuse.

The good news is all licensed betting sites are regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission. Unlike the case with illegal offshore sportsbooks, customers have recourse and may submit a complaint if they feel they have been wronged by an IN sportsbook. This type of term is not good to see, but licensed operators know they cannot push too far at the risk of provoking unwanted attention from the Gaming Commission.

Types of Betting Bonuses in Indiana

As important as it is to understand how the terms and conditions of any offer affect its value, it is equally important to understand how the different types of betting bonuses work. Choosing the best bonus for your needs naturally requires a firm understanding of how they all work.

The mobile sportsbooks that are now live in Indiana have come up with all manner of welcome bonuses and ongoing promos for existing players. The remainder of this page will explain the ins and outs of the various types of bonuses you are likely to encounter in Indiana and conclude with a guide to evaluating the value of any deposit bonus.

First Match Deposit Bonuses

The first match deposit bonus is the most common type of promotion offered to entice potential customers to sign up for an account and make a deposit. In return, the sportsbook will match your first deposit in terms of a percentage.

For example, a 100% deposit bonus means your first deposit will be doubled with bonus money. Deposit $100, get $100 in bonus funds. Deposit $200, get $200 extra.

Likewise, a 20% match bonus will give you $20 extra on a $100 deposit or $100 extra on a $500 deposit.

The general rule of thumb is that the bigger the match rate, the smaller the maximum bonus. While the typical 100% bonus might max out at $250, the typical 20% bonus might max out at $500. This not a hard and fast rule, but it would be wise to do some digging if you find a sports betting bonus that offers a high match rate and a high maximum bonus amount.

Risk Free Bet Offers

Risk free bets are also quite common in the regulated online betting market. The basic idea with a risk free bet is you sign up, make a deposit and place a wager with your own money to qualify.

If your first bet wins, you are paid as normal and nothing special happens. If your first bet is a loser, the sportsbook will refund your first wager with an equal amount (up to some specified value). The refund is usually issued as site credit, which means it cannot be withdrawn.

The phrase “risk free” is a bit of a misnomer here because you still have to make a wager with your own money and any refund is most likely not withdrawable.

Interestingly, Indiana Gaming Commission regulations (pg. 26) include a responsible advertising provision that covers this point:

“All bonus offers must… not be described as free unless they are absolutely free. If the customer has to risk or lose their money or has conditions attached to their own money, then the offer or bonus must disclose those terms; not be described as risk free if the customer needs to incur any loss or risk their money to use or withdraw winnings from the free bet; and not restrict the customer from withdrawing their own funds or withdrawing winnings from bets placed using their own funds.”

In any case, whatever they call them now or in the future, risk free bets are a handy promotion that provide an extra chance to place a winning wager if your first bet doesn’t pan out.

Some of the key terms to be aware of when claiming risk free bets include:

• Limited time to place the wager: There may be a limit to how long you have to use your risk free bet after it is credited to your account. If your first bet loses, be sure to check how long you have to use your refund.
• Not withdrawable: Most risk-free bets are issues as site credit only. This means you cannot exchange the free bet for cash or withdraw it. You may only withdraw anything you win by wagering the bonus funds.
• Not included in any returns: Most free bets are not included in any returns on winnings. If you place a $100 risk free bet on a wager with odds of +250, for example, your payout would be $250 rather than the standard $350.
• Wagering requirements: Some risk free bets also come with wagering requirements just like standard deposit bonuses. In most cases, the rollover on free bets is minimal – in the range of 1x the value of the free bet.

No-Deposit Bonuses

No-deposit offers give you bonus funds to place a wager with no deposit necessary. These are sometimes referred to as “free bets” but are not to be confused with “risk-free bets” because you do not need to make a deposit at all but can still give the sportsbook a test run without making a deposit.

The catch is most no-deposit bonuses is they too come with wagering requirements. If you claim a $20 no-deposit offer, for example, and use it on a wager and win $40, you will likely be on the hook for placing at least $20 worth of wagers before withdrawing your winnings.

Still, no-deposit bonuses are a nice perk because they are not particularly difficult to clear in most cases and can potentially be used to win real money without ever making a deposit.

Key terms and conditions to look for include:

• Limited time offer: You usually only have a limited number of days to claim and use your no-deposit bonus after registering for an account.
• Not withdrawable: We have yet to find a no-deposit offer in which customers may withdraw the bonus money itself. Only the winnings may be withdrawn.
• Bonus not included in return: Any bonus money you receive in return for signing up for an account will most likely not be included in any winnings acquired by wagering the bonus.
• Wagering requirements: Always check to see if there are any wagering requirements associated with a no-deposit bonus. The odds are you will need to wager X amount of dollars prior to withdrawing any winnings.

Odds Boosts

Odds boost promos take a popular wager (or wagers) and boost the odds on those markets temporarily. For example, if the Indianapolis Colts are priced at +2500 to win the Super Bowl this year, an odds boost promo might bump them up to +5000 temporarily.

One of the nice things about odds boosts is they are usually not laden with terms and conditions. The most common caveat you’ll find is there may be a maximum amount you can wager at those enhanced odds.

Some odds boosts are relatively modest in nature, such as boosting a wager from +345 to +360 for a day. Others go way overboard and temporarily boost a team’s championship odds from something like +600 to +6,000. The latter is usually restricted to a small maximum bet size, often in the range of $5 to $10.

If you find an exceptionally large odds boost promo with winnings paid in cash, it is often a good idea to pound that wager with as much money as the sportsbook will take. Even if that outcome is an underdog, there is a good chance the odds boost has temporarily made that wager +EV depending on how much the sportsbook has enhanced the odds.

Key terms and conditions to watch out for:

• Maximum bet size: The biggest and best odds boosts will always have some kind of maximum bet size. It may be as small as $5 depending on how much the odds have been boosted.
• Limited time offer: Odds boosts rarely stick around for long. Get them while they’re hot.
• Winnings paid as bonus money: Large enhanced odds promotions often only pay your winnings in the form of bonus money that is subject to a modest rollover requirement.

Reduced Juice Promos

Reduced juice offers may not look as exciting as big deposit bonuses to the casual observer, but they can be quite valuable by reducing or eliminating the commission on certain wagers or even entire categories of wagers. The more often you can take advantage of reduced juice promos, the better your long term results.

An example of reduced juice in action would a sportsbook dropping the lines on even money wagers from -110 to -105. Rather than paying $110 to win $100, you are asked to risk $105 to win $100. Even better is when you’re able to find those odds reduced all the way down to +100, which means you are truly getting even money payouts for even money wagers.

As an example, betting $100 on the Hoosiers at -110 odds would give you a potential payout of $191. Booking that same wager at -105 would give you a potential payout of $196 to put $5 more in your pocket. Those discounts add up over time faster than you might expect.

Other Types of Betting Promotions

Indiana betting sites have shown no lack of creativity when it comes to introducing new promos to new and existing customers alike. The list of other promo types below is not exhaustive – sportsbooks are always coming up with something new – but does provide examples of some of the types of offers you are likely to encounter as an IN sports bettor.

On that subject, one last note is that it is worth your while to follow your favorite sportsbook(s) on social media and consent to receive promotional e-mails when you sign up. You will frequently catch short term offers and bonuses that are not advertised elsewhere.

• Close call insurance: These can take many forms, but the overarching theme is if you back a team and they come close but still fail to win the game, your wager will be refunded with bonus money or cash up to a maximum amount. A common example is you get your money back if your team is up at halftime but goes on to lose the game.
• High scoring loss refund: Similar idea to close call insurance – if your team scores at least X points but still loses, you get a refund.
• Per point bonuses: These promotions are always exciting because the better your team or player performs, the more you earn in bonus money. Examples of this type of promo would be betting on an NBA game and earning $3 in bonus money for every point by which your team wins or getting $6 for every TD your NFL team scores.
• Early payouts: Early payout promos grade your pre-game wagers winners if your team achieves a certain milestone early in the game such as scoring the first TD or getting ahead by X points.
• No goal refund: In a page taken from the playbook of the established UK bookmakers, some Indiana betting sites offer a refund if you bet on a soccer team and the game ends 0-0.
• Parlay insurance: This is a common promo for all you parlay fans out there. If you place a parlay and it loses by exactly one leg, your original wager will be refunded with bonus funds.
• Happy hour specials: Happy hour specials can take many forms, but the general idea is if you place wagers during a certain time of day, you qualify for certain promotions that are not offered the rest of the day.

Evaluating Betting Bonuses for Value

Evaluating the value of any particular offer is a challenge due to the many different ways betting bonuses can be structured and the various terms and conditions that are attached to each. However, there is one simple way to evaluate bonuses for value that doesn’t involve too much math.

Wagering Requirements vs. Average Hold on Sports Betting

The simplest way to quickly evaluate an individual bonus or compare two bonuses is to run each offer’s wagering requirements against the average sports betting hold percentage.

Doing so tells you how much house advantage you’ll be exposed to over the course of clearing that bonus. You can then subtract that number from the bonus amount to uncover the theoretical true value of the bonus.

This method is not perfect as it does not take into account your skill as a bettor or the hold percentages of every individual betting market, but it works decently well as a benchmark figure and is easily calculated.

Before we get started here, we need to come to an agreement on the average hold (the percentage of money wagered that sportsbooks keep as profit) achieved by licensed sportsbooks in Indiana.

The Indiana sports betting industry is still getting its footing and any hold numbers are likely to be skewed, so we turn instead to the decades’ worth of data we have from Nevada sportsbooks that we can use to get to a fair number.

According to figures from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, sportsbooks there have achieved an average hold of 5.55% since 1984. If we assume you won’t be clearing your bonus with high-hold parlays, we can shade that number down a bit to 5% as a rough starting point.

We can drop that even lower to 4.55% if we bet exclusively into -110 lines, but let’s give ourselves some flexibility in the types of wagers we can use to clear this bonus and call it good at 5%.

Now, multiply the average hold by the wagering requirements you need to meet for any particular bonus. Subtract that number from the value of the bonus and you’ll start to get a general idea of how good that bonus really is.

Let’s compare two imaginary bonuses as an example:

Indiana Betting Laws

• Bonus A: 100% up to $500 with a 25x rollover
• Bonus B: 100% up to $250 with a 10x rollover

Claiming the maximum bonus amount with Bonus A will require you placing a grand total of $12,500 worth of wagers to release it for withdrawal. If we assume you are exposed to an average commission of 5% over the course of meeting that rollover, your expected loss over the course of placing those wagers is $625 ($12,500 x .05).

The expected value of Bonus A works out to -$125 ($500 minus $625). That’s not a good deal, but it also doesn’t take into account your own skill at picking winners. Still, it is better to err on the side of caution and assume your skills are no better than flipping a coin when it comes to evaluating bonuses.

Indiana Sports Betting News

Now, let’s look at Bonus B.

This one comes with a more generous 10x rollover which means you’ll need to place $2,500 worth of wagers in order to release it for withdrawal. We multiply $2,500 by the average hold (5%) and end up with an expected loss of $125. Subtract that from the original bonus amount and you end up with an expected value of +$125 ($250 minus $125).

Indiana Betting App

It turns out Bonus B is the better deal despite being smaller on its face when we take the wagering requirements into account.