The blueprint for how to launch sports betting in the US? Quite possibly, yes.

Equally decisive and efficient, The Hoosier State have launched retail sports betting and online sports betting within a month, showing the rest how it’s done.

• September 1^st, 2019: start of Indiana sports betting as retail sportsbooks open at physical casinos
• October 3^rd, 2019: DraftKings becomes first online sportsbooks to accept a wager, officially launching online sports betting and a whole new era.

The best part of the launch though: the industry allows for full-scale online betting.

This means, unlike other states that require in-person registration, Hoosiers can wager on-the-go on any sport or event, major or minor league from their mobile device. Only esports and junior events are not permitted.

When you consider the popularity of the Colts and the Pacers among the 6.7 million residents in Indiana, there is the perfect mix for a thriving sports betting industry to rival the best.

So far, DraftKings, BetRivers and FanDuel have launched. But expect a flurry of incomings including William Hill and Caesars to be follow suit in the coming weeks.

The start of the NFL season was viewed as the perfect launchpad for sports betting for many states in the US. Indiana were one of a few that made it happen when sports betting bill H 1015 was officially made law.

Bill H1015 allows for mobile sports betting

Head to a casino, a racino, or an off-track betting parlour in Indiana and you are now able to place a legal wager on whichever sport takes your fancy.

Crucially, the new legislation allows for mobile sports betting. Initially, it was a bleak outlook regarding the online side of things - it wasn’t included in the first version of the bill.

But with mobile wagering accounting for 80% of revenue generated in most markets, the law was swiftly amended.

Deciding on the best betting site in Indiana isn’t an easy task. Competition may be low right now but since Hoosiers can choose from two of the biggest names on the market, it’s likely you're going back and forth between the sites now unable to make up your mind.

In your opinion, what is a must-have for a betting site?

Essentially though, your search begins with you and what you see to be of most value when it comes to a sportsbook in Indiana.

Do you need a range of payment options? Is it vital you find the best welcome bonus to boost your betting? Maybe you’re betting on the Colts and need the best betting site for NFL betting? Or is your favorite sport more niche so depth to your betting options is crucial?

Below, we’ve picked some common factors players seek out when trying to decide on an Indiana betting site.

First to the online sports betting post - as they were in New Jersey - DraftKings launched their Indiana sports betting app before anybody else. And they’re holding on to their number one tag as far as we’re concerned, especially if we’re discussing their app offering.

The DraftKings app was the first to launch in The Hoosier State

Available on Android and iOS, download is easy and account set-up even simpler. With as many markets as anybody else, DraftKings also boast a user interface appealing to all levels of bettor, from beginners to hardened pros.

What’s more, given its system is operated by Kambi, the user experience at DraftKings ranks as the best in the business. Finding and placing a bet as the action unfolds is as seamless as it gets.

Finally, as mentioned in our expert DraftKings sportsbook review, the opportunity to personalize the app to the taste of the player is one we are fond of.

Bets tailored to personal sporting interests and betting habits

Players can benefit from a betting carousel that updates with suggested bets tailored to personal sporting interests and betting habits.

BetRivers have followed up an impressive debut in Pennsylvania with a display just as eye catching in Indiana. Not least for their level of customer support.

It’s a factor often disregarded and undervalued by the big companies who tend to prioritize other areas before focussing on how customers can get in contact should there be an issue.

Fortunately, this will never be an issue for customers at BetRivers. Help is at hand around the clock and through the year through phone, e-mail and live chat.

The handy and very comprehensive on-site help center also provides up to 100+ quickfire answers to some of the most common questions asked. There you’ll also find betting terms explained in simple terms.

Putting the needs of the customer first

All-in-all, BetRivers have provided all the resources to ensure a player’s life is as hassle-free as can be. Putting the needs of a customer first is a solid foundation from BetRivers to build from in the face of intense competition.

The arrival of the DFS giant in Indiana follows on from online launches in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Sports bettors in New York and Mississippi are also able to benefit from the market leaders through retail locations.

Hard to beat NFL offering

Clearly dominating the sports betting landscape, there are many reasons why FanDuel to capture market after market. Hard to beat in particular is its NFL offering renowned to be the best.

For the hoards of NFL fans looking for the best NFL betting sites, FanDuel is the go-to option. The range of different wagers available for any given game and the live betting options count are just two standout factors.

What’s best about FanDuel operating in Indiana however is the company’s exclusive partnership with the Indianapolis Colts.

The link-up will drive fan engagement through in-stadium signage, in-game promotions and TV/radio advertising, while ex Colts punter Pat McAfee will appear at sportsbooks and feature on social media platforms.

While the partnership applies only to daily fantasy sports at this moment, a pathway will surely emerge for a similar deal to transpire in terms of sports betting too.

Betting on the Colts at FanDuel will become the norm

For FanDuel to have the name associated with the state’s number one football team is a win in the short term at least. As the Indiana industry grows, betting on the Colts at FanDuel will become the norm.

One reason. Football.

If you didn’t know already, the number one sport in America is football. And alongside watching the NFL, a large percentage of us like to bet on football too.

This has been the case for many a year via offshore sportsbooks, the only sure way to bet before the nationwide ban on sports betting was lifted in May 2018.

Now legal sports betting is here, why not make it available to the masses asap?

Not only will bettors stop using unregulated sites, but the amount of money set to be made from Americans betting on football is quite jaw dropping.

The popularity of the NFL is hard to ignore

Key findings from a national survey run by the American Gaming Association (AGA):

• Number of Americans that will bet on football: 38 million (15% of US)
• 24% would bet on football if it was legal to do so in their state

The popularity of the NFL is hard to ignore. Especially when there’s the potential for a state to generate a lot of revenue. With a shorter season than most major sports (September-December) you can see why Indiana and others have acted now in getting a framework over the line.

Now legal sports betting sites are here, it begs the question as to why it has taken so long for the ban on legalized sports betting to be removed at national level. It’s not like sports betting didn’t take place before the ban was overturned.

It’s no secret that US citizens regularly turned to offshore betting sites in order to place wagers on their favorite sports, risking their safety in the process.

Fortunately, while there are undoubtedly incidences of players still choosing to use offshore sites, once players become aware of the benefits of legal sportsbooks, unregulated sportsbooks will become a thing of the past.

Here are the advantages of legal sportsbooks:

Safe market

First and foremost, players are better protected. A regulated framework means there are rules sportsbooks must abide by.

Players were previously at the mercy of offshore sites of who, with nobody governing the industry, did as they wished. This included holding back winnings and compromising pament details.

In order for a sportsbook to gain a license in Indiana, an initial fee of $100,000 must be paid and topped up with another $50,000 annually.

Generates tax revenue

As mentioned, betting on sports illegally was and still is common in the states, leaving billions of dollars in the hands of criminal rings.

A regulated industry means state governments can keep the revenue in state and for the state.

Education, health clinics, infrastructure can all benefit from such income and will do so from now on.

Creation of jobs

Whether its oddsmakers, cashiers or analysts, the creation of what is essentially a new industry brings a host of new positions. In Indiana, five retail sportsbooks have launched at the following casinos:

• AmeriStar Casino Resort
• Hollywood casino Lawrenceburg
• Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
• Winner’s Circle Indianapolis
• Horseshoe Hammond Casino

Integrity of games protected

The major leagues previously had no system or protocol in place to detect unusual activity. However, all betting sites are now monitored to pick up on suspicious betting patterns and limit the prospect of match fixing taking place.

More help and support for problem gamblers

Interested in who they can exploit next, offshore betting sites pay little attention to gamblers in need of help or even Gambling addicts. Why would they place a limit on somebody they could make serious money from?

Regulated sites are obligated to offer help and support to such people with funded programs in place to vulnerable gamblers most in need. While the industry helps create money, it’s not at the expense of endangering the lives of citizens.

It can be easy to start playing at an offshore site without even realizing. Especially right now in Indiana when we’re still relatively light in terms of legal sportsbooks live.

Therefore, it’s good to be aware of the differences between regulated betting sites and offshore betting sites.

How to know if a sportsbook is regulated

• Look for the badge: each site will display the badge of its licensing authority. For example, the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) is listed clearly at the bottom of BetRivers (below). You should also be able to click on the badge to be taken to the official website of the authority too.

• Responsible gaming icon: the sportsbook must set out its responsible gaming policy and what it intends to do to protect players from the dangers associated with gambling. That icon should also be clickable so it can be read.
• Established payment methods: all legal sportsbooks will have a range of payment options to select from. Offshore sites will generally be restricted in what they offer, often dictating how you should deposit for their own benefit.
• All types of bet are offered: one of the obvious signs is the lack of a live betting option. Offshore sites do not have access to a platform such as Kambi, responsible for updating odds in real-time. Cashout isn’t possible either.
• It is listed on United Gamblers: we only play and deposit money at legal sites ourselves. From our experience, we know which sites to touch and to not go anywhere near. If a sportsbook is featured on our site it is reputable, regulated and licensed. 100% safe to use.