The effort to legalize online lottery and casino games in Indiana will not progress this legislative session.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle reported that House Bill 1432 passed the House Public Policy Committee by a vote of 9-2-2. However, the Ways and Means Committee did not schedule a hearing to review the financial details.
The bill would have allowed Indiana’s licensed casinos to offer online gaming in addition to the Hoosier Lottery.
Indiana residents can still play at sweepstakes casinos. These sites let players in the Hoosier State enjoy games like blackjack and slots on platforms that include Hello Millions, High 5 Casino, and Stake.us.
In sweepstakes casino games, real money isn't used directly for play. Instead, players purchase tokens or sweep coins to participate in games and have the chance to win prizes such as cash or gift cards.
Why Did Indiana’s Online Casino Bill Stall?
Rep. Ethan Manning wrote the House Bill 1432 and estimated that these digital games, along with increased taxes on sports betting, could generate more than $300 million each year for Indiana.
Other supporters argued that since Indiana residents are already gambling online, it makes sense to regulate and tax these activities.
But House Speaker Todd Huston told the Capital Chronicle that it failed to gain enough traction in the Ways and Means Committee. “There’s all sorts of moving parts about how it impacts communities and what it does overall to the gaming environment in Indiana. While not officially dead, it’s pretty much dead,” he said.
Hoosier Lottery Also Supported the Bill
Indiana's new governor, Mike Braun, expressed a willingness to explore the matter during his campaign. It seemed that the odds favored approving the bill, but that was not the case.
Some feared that online options could reduce in-person gaming or lottery sales.
The Hoosier Lottery supported the move to legalize online lottery games. If passed, Indiana would have joined 14 other states, like Kentucky, Illinois, and Michigan, that offer digital lottery games.
The proposed legislation would have also created a new program to promote responsible gambling and address gambling addiction. It included new fines on casinos to support this program. Unlike Indiana’s previous efforts, which focused largely on awareness campaigns, the new program would have also funded treatment and research.
What’s Next For Indiana’s Online Casino Bill?
Many people consider Indiana a strong candidate for iGaming legalization, especially because it's close to Michigan. Michigan started online casino operations in 2021 and brought in over $450 million in tax revenue from these casinos just last year.
Money typically talks, so the conversation may have ended in Indiana, but it doesn’t appear to be over—it may just not restart until next year.
