sports betting

Hundreds of companies tied to the sports gambling industry in Indiana will no longer need to be licensed with the state after July 1.

Roughly $1.3 billion dollars are expected to be bet on this weekend’s Super Bowl. But some worry that legalized online sports betting has made it too easy –– and potentially too addictive –– to place bets.

Bettors wagered $476.8 million in March, according to the latest report from the Indiana Gaming Commission. That led to a $32 million profit for sportsbooks and just over $3 million in state tax revenue.

Last year's $3.8 billion betting blitz was more than double 2020's total of $1.8 billion. The wagering netted the state about $29 million in tax revenue, up from $13.2 million in tax revenue in 2020.

October marked one year since Indiana casinos started taking bets online. And last month was also the best month Hoosiers sports books have had yet.

Indiana set a new sports betting record in October even as play slowed at other casino games, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission.

The Indiana Gaming Commission ordered 11 casinos and two horse-track racing casinos to close March 16. Though mobile sports wagering can continue, the widespread cancellation and delay of sporting events has substantially restricted what gamblers can bet on.

Indiana has collected about $2.7 million in taxes from sports bets through its first three months. That puts it on target for about $9 million this fiscal year.

Hoosiers bet about $48 million on sports online last month, the first time such wagers were legally possible in Indiana.

Purdue President Mitch Daniels says the board of trustees hopes this adopted policy will be perceived as an appeal to not place bets on Purdues own athletes and teams.