After legalizing sports betting in 2019, House Bill 1532 in the Indiana house has been filed that would ban betting on high school and other amateur sports not approved by the state for betting. The bill would also prohibit wagering on elections.
”Current law allows a certificate holder or vendor to accept wagers on professional and collegiate sporting events approved for sports wagering by the commission and other events as approved by the commission,” a fiscal note attached to the bill states. “A certificate holder or vendor may not accept wagers on e-sports, high school and other amateur youth sporting events, or any sporting event that has not been approved for sports wagering by the (Indiana Gaming Commission).”
At a time when sportsbooks have flooded the airwaves with advertisements and teamed up with sports teams and leagues, the bill would also bar the books from all sports betting advertising. For violations of the bill, the proposal stipulates a fine of $1,000 for the first offense, $2,500 for the second offense, and $5,000 for a third offense, which would also include license revocation.
Betting has become extremely popular in the Hoosier State since legalization in 2019. That led to a $5.2 billion handle in 2024, including more than $2 billion bet over the last four months as the football season was underway. The advertising ban makes an exception for advertising contracts that were entered into before July 1, 2025.
Online Gaming Possible
Indiana Rep. Ethan Manning® has also introduced House Bill 1432, which if passed would legalize online gaming in the state. The plan would allow commercial casinos, riverboats, and racinos to acquire up to three online gaming skins.
Operators would pay a one-time $500,000 licensing fee and $250,000 each year that would be earmarked for responsible gaming measures. The lottery commission would regulate the industry, and the state would impose a graduated tax rate from 22% to 30% depending on revenue.
Poker is mentioned several times in the bill and also authorizes the state to enter into multi-state agreements for shared liquidity. Mississippi has a population of just under three million to potentially add to the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, which may soon include Pennsylvania.
In 2023, the state’s 29 commercial casinos brought in a combined $2.48 billion in gross gaming revenue, while supporting nearly 42,000 jobs.