Before the General Assembly of Indiana adjourned for its 2025 legislative session, legislation to authorize online casinos advanced earlier this year.

House Bill 1432, which was introduced in January by Indiana Representative Ethan Manning (R-Cass), would have permitted the state's commercial casinos to run up to three iGaming platforms, or internet casinos featuring interactive table games and digital slots.  Online sports betting is already available in Indiana.

The House Public Policy Committee swiftly approved Manning's plan, which was not surprising given that the committee is chaired by Republicans.  However, when the iGaming bill reached the full House floor, it stalled. The House Ways and Means Committee was then tasked with reviewing the statute.

Representatives Steve Bartels (R-Crawford), Justin Moed (D-Marion), and Cory Criswell (R-Hancock) cosponsored HB1432.

Are Hoosiers Interested in iGaming?

The majority of Indiana citizens don't want online casinos, according to a recent survey that was commissioned by a trade organization dedicated to preventing future growth of legal iGaming in the US.

To measure iGaming popularity throughout the Hoosier State, the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) engaged Pantheon Insight, a data solutions company that performs polling and qualitative research, usually for Republican campaigns.  According to the report, Hoosiers' support for increased gambling decreases as they gain more knowledge about iGaming.

"These results make it clear: once Hoosiers understand what iGambling really is, they reject it, across every region, party, and demographic,” declared NAAiG Board Member Daniel Reinhard, an attorney and lobbyist with Calfee who has represented Jack Entertainment, an NAAiG member, in its iGaming opposition.

After learning about the alleged negative effects that internet casinos have on the economy and mental health of the seven states where iGaming is now permitted, Pantheon researchers discovered that nearly seven out of ten (67%) Indiana voters are against iGaming.

“Our survey didn’t just test opposition messages. It tested the industry’s own best arguments. Even then, Indiana voters see through the hype. They don’t want casino gambling on their phones,” Reinhard claimed.

According to the NAAiG, iGaming steals games from real casinos, which results in lower tax revenues, diminished local economic gains, and job losses.  The lobbying group asserts that iGaming has detrimental effects while increasing financial problems and problem gambling.

The Cordish Companies, Churchill Downs, and Jack Entertainment are the main members of the NAAiG.  The Terre Haute Casino Resort is the only Indiana location owned by Churchill.

Support for iGaming 

Supporters of iGaming refute the NAAiG's assertions, arguing that iGaming enhances physical casinos.  They cite locations like New Jersey, where revenue from iGaming has increased dramatically while revenue from traditional casinos has increased, albeit somewhat.

Online slots and interactive table games in New Jersey, the state where iGaming makes the most money out of the seven legal markets, recorded gross gaming revenue (GGR) of over $2.12 billion through September. Compared to the same nine months last year, that is a 22.7% gain.

The physical slots and tables at the nine sites brought in $2.2 billion for the Atlantic City casino.  That was a 2.5% increase from the previous year.

The head of Light & Wonder's government affairs, Howard Glaser, stated that iGaming is a net benefit during an interview this year.

"We are primarily a land-based company; our numbers will show you this, but as a public company, we answer to our shareholders and investors. We’re for growth. In markets where iGaming is legal, it’s been complementary [to brick-and-mortar],” Glaser told Casino.org.

“They can reinforce each other and spur growth,” Glaser added.