Indiana Sports Betting: Four Reasons for the Gambling Industry to be Optimistic

The sports betting industry has rapidly expanded across the US, and Indiana is one of just a handful of states that permits most forms of gambling, including Pari-mutuel, racetrack, charitable, and sports betting. The latter has proven to be extremely popular, particularly throughout the regular NBA season and end-of-season play-offs.

Short-Term Dip, Long-Term Growth

Nevertheless, the Hoosier State saw a 19% decrease in June 2025, compared to the previous month, according to according to Casino.com. There are several contributing factors which may have led to this slowdown, including the conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA season. Despite the state’s lack of representatives in the top-tier sporting leagues such as the NHL, MLS or MLB, the bigger picture is positive, with overall spending increasing 17% year-over-year, and sports betting revenue taxes rising by 12.3% year-on-year between April 2024 and April 2025.

Notwithstanding the small dip in June 2025, the statistics suggest that Indiana-based bettors are keenly invested in sports wagering, and there is plenty of positivity amongst sportsbook owners that this industry will continue to thrive in the Midwestern region.

Investment from Bet365

British gambling firm Bet365 has been providing sports betting opportunities since the year 2000. As one of the world’s largest online betting companies, it has led the way with innovative features such as live streaming and cash-out, and currently boasts over 100 million customers worldwide.

Having dominated the European market, the firm is currently looking to expand its US operation and has held informal discussions about a partial sale and the prospect of being floated on the US stock exchange. They currently operate in 13 US states, including Illinois, Ohio and Tennessee.

It launched in Indiana back in January 2024 in partnership with French Lick Resort, and has recently announced a new partnership with the Indiana Fever basketball team, who currently ply their trade in the WNBA. As the team’s official sportsbook partner, match attendees can expect to see plenty of Bet365 branding throughout the venue and across the Fever Radio Network. Supporters can also take part in fan-focused features each matchday.

Bet365 will face stiff competition from established rivals such as BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel. The latter is hugely popular in the Hoosier State; however, with Flutter securing 100% ownership of the brand, users may notice a few changes in the coming months.

Success of the Sports Teams

Alongside the growing popularity of the Indiana Fever, the progress of the Pacers has helped drive betting handle throughout the first half of 2025. The team exceeded expectations and produced several memorable moments, including the overturning of a 14-point deficit with just 3:16 left on the clock in the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks. This wasn’t the first time that the franchise came back from a seemingly impossible deficit in the dying embers of a contest, and their penchant for late drama will certainly live long in the memory of fans, as well as those who believed that they had losing wagers on their slip as they watched time slowly tick away.

The Pacers will be hoping to build upon a positive campaign, and with the Indiana Fever having drafted Caitlin Clark, one of the superstars of the game, basketball betting is expected to continue to post strong numbers going forward.

Potential for iGaming Legalisation

The state of Indiana appears to be making progress with its bid to legalise online table games, slots and lotteries. Previous efforts have been unsuccessful; however, it overcame the first hurdle when the bill was passed through the House Public Policy Committee in January 2025. It is estimated that iGaming would earn more than $300 million annually in new revenue, and this could also have a positive impact on sports betting in the state.

Although only casinos and racetracks would be able to apply for licenses upon legalisation, this is expected to be expanded to existing sportsbook operators, who will be hoping that they can use cross-promotional incentives to promote their online sportsbook to casino enthusiasts, and vice versa. In countries such as the UK, there are numerous sports-themed slots, and many bookmakers will offer free spins or free bets as part of their welcome offers.

Illinois Tax Hikes

Indiana could potentially capitalise on the growing discontent in the neighbouring state of Illinois. With sportsbooks such as Hard Rock and BetMGM setting new minimum stakes at $2.50 alongside the implementation of surcharges of $0.5 per bet, many small-stakes handicappers are starting to assess alternative options, especially those who frequently place weekly parlays.

The controversial “per-bet” tax hasn’t been particularly well-received, and the short distance between the two states may result in some bettors hopping over the border to take advantage of Indiana’s relaxed attitude to sports betting.