Mobile Sports Betting Finally Coming to Indiana
On September 1, retails sports betting debuted in Indiana and since then a lot of anticipation has built up with regards to mobile sports betting. Well, beginning October 3, sports bettors in Indiana will finally be able to place bets on their favorite sports and teams.
On Wednesday, September 15, the Indiana Gaming Commission announced the official launch date for the state’s first mobile sports betting offering. The commission also revealed that they had authorized French Lick Casino and its betting partner Rush Street Interactive to begin offering mobile wagering. This digital betting operation will mark the begin of the state’s high-anticipated mobile betting industry.
The Partnership
Prior to the approval of their digital betting bid, Rush Street Interactive was already operating a retail sportsbook at French Lick Resort in Indiana. The sports betting facility was among the ones that were approved by the state’s gaming commission earlier this month. While the retail sports betting option has attracted a good number of the sports bettors in the state, the digital betting option is expected to take everything a notch higher.
The mobile betting option is, therefore, an extension of the already solid partnership between French Lick and Rush Street Interactive. Considering the growing interest and competition in the state’s gambling market, a solid partnership is definitely very important.
What to Expect
Initially, the gambling commission had plans to launch mobile betting alongside the launch of retail sportsbooks. This plan was scrapped and they instead opted to focus on retail sports betting before shifting to digital betting. The decision is likely to pay off decently since they have had time to improve on various aspects of the industry.
“Rush Street has substantially demonstrated to the satisfaction of the commission that its mobile sports wagering operation meets the requirements of Indiana Code Article 4-38, the Commission’s Emergency Regulations, and all Commission Directives related to sports wagering activities,” the IGC’s executive director, Sara Gonso Tait said about the approval.
The mobile betting operation that will be available next week will be offering nearly all types of sports betting most of which are already available at the French Lick Casino retail sportsbook. Once it debuts, sports bettors will need to register but unlike the case in other states, they will not have to go to the physical sportsbook to register. Instead, they will be able to swiftly and easily download the app and register gaming accounts.
As stipulated in the state’s gambling laws, the bettors will have to be at least 21 years old and to prove this they will be required to provide personal information. Some of the information that will be required of them will include birth dates, credit/debit card numbers, email addresses, and social security numbers. Furthermore, the state intends to deploy geofencing technology to ensure that all the sports bets are being placed from within Indiana’s borders.
Simon is a freelance writer who specializes in gambling news and has been an author in the poker/casino scene for 10+ years. He brings valuable knowledge to the team and a different perspective, especially as a casual casino player.