Indiana legislature to introduce new online casino bill in 2023
Lawmakers expected to begin debating expanded legislation in January after previous failed attempts
Indiana could be poised to join the shortlist of US states with legalized online casino in 2023, as lawmakers in the Hoosier State have finalized a draft of a new icasino bill that’s set to be formally introduced when the legislature reconvenes in January.
The bill, spearheaded by Senator Jon Ford and Representative Ethan Manning, signifies the most comprehensive effort yet to bring online casino to Indiana after multiple failed attempts led by the pair of legislators in previous years.
While the bill figures to significantly evolve in substance and detail during the debate process, it’s nonetheless extensive as currently constituted, highlighted by an expansion of igaming offerings to include both online casino and poker.
All of Indiana’s casinos and racinos would be allowed to offer icasino games, according to the current language of the bill, with each casino permitted to partner with up to three online brands.
Licenses would cost $500,000 up front and would be subject to an annual $50,000 renewal fee. Online casino revenue would be taxed at an 18% rate, with 3.33% of the tax revenue earmarked for the state’s Addiction Services Fund.
In addition to the casino expansion, the Indiana State Lottery would have the opportunity to roll out online versions of its Hoosier Lottery games.
The new bill will mark the fourth straight year that lawmakers have tried to bring regulated icasino to the Hoosier State, an industry that’s projected to generate upwards of $1bn in annual revenue according to some estimates.
If all goes smoothly in the legislative process, online casinos in Indiana could be up and running by the fall of 2023.
Currently, only six US states – New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan – offer online casino.