Plаying оnline pоker on а legаlly regulated site іs important – it gives you protection аnd some remedies in the event of a problem. Our advice for indianas players is to visit only sites that аre fully regulаted аnd legаl. Like almost every state in the US, Indiana has separate laws for every major gаmbling verticаl, including poker. Moreover, stаte lаw treats the gаme of poker differently depending on where аnd how you plаy it – аt home, online, or in а lаnd-bаsed cаsino.
This overview will answer all the key questions related to Indiana online poker laws and tell you how to get around certain rules.
Is Online Gaming Legal in Indiana?
As mentioned, Indiana views poker differently whether you play it online, at home or at a land-based casino. In general, Indiana does not consider poker a game of skill.
Is online poker legal in indiana? Not now . Because of this definition, playing poker falls under the definition of gambling, which is generally prohibited, with some exceptions.
Indiana Poker Laws
You can find most of the laws and definitions related to gambling in Indiana in the Indiana Code in section 35-45-5.
Latest Changes in Indiana Poker Laws
Indiana has made several changes to its gambling laws in recent years, although none of them directly affect poker. Sports betting became legal in 2019 and is now available both online and at land-based facilities. In addition, certain table games have been welcomed by live casinos with new casino licenses allowing for the expansion of the land and river casino industry. Indiana poker players remain hopeful that online poker will become legal soon, but its legalization is unfortunately not on the horizon yet.
Is Indiana going to legalize online poker?
Indiana adopts internally conflicting views on gambling. On the one hand, the state is home to one of the largest regulated gambling industries in the world. On the other hand, Indiana’s social attitudes are generally conservative, suggesting that the IN online poker bill will face stiff opposition at most levels of the state.
However, the biggest hurdle facing legal online poker in Indiana is the lack of a bill for supporters to band together. Without this bill, Indiana poker players will be forced to use sites regulated and licensed by international jurisdictions, which is simply not as effective as local state regulation.
The Future of Poker in Indiana
Playing online poker on offshore poker sites is certainly not ideal from both a regulatory and security point of view. This is why so many Indiana poker players are asking for a regulated market where they can rely on safe and legal platforms. There are currently no efforts to make online poker legal in Indiana. Lately, lawmakers have only focused on sports betting and allowing new licenses for land-based casinos.
However, if online poker becomes legal in the next few years, there will be many operators willing to take advantage of this opportunity and offer themselves to the new market.