Governor Places Indiana's First Legal Sports Bet

As of September 1, you can legally bet on sporting events in Indiana.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb placed Indiana's first legal sports bets on Sunday, September 1, 2019. Photo via @GovHolcomb on Twitter.

(Shlebyville, Ind.) - Sports betting became legal in Indiana on Sunday, September 1.

Governor Eric Holcomb placed the first legal sports bet on Sunday at the Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville. Though the odds may not be in his favor of winning, the governor placed a $10 bet for the Indianapolis Colts to win the Super Bowl and a $10 bet for the Indiana Pacers to win the NBA Finals. He also bet $10 for the Indiana Fever to win their game against the Minnesota Lynx.

Holcomb tweeted that any winnings would be donated to the Indiana Canine Assist Network.

Sports wagering is now legal in Indiana and I was excited to be the first Hoosier to place a bet! pic.twitter.com/TENo2KiWW2

— Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) September 1, 2019

Sports betting also opened at Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg and Ameristar Casino in East Chicago.

Nearly all of Indiana's 13 casinos - including Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun and Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Switzerland County - have applied to operate sportsbooks. They could begin operating later this month.

State lawmakers moved to legalize and tax sports betting this year following a 2018 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court declaring states had the authority to legalize the activity. The Indiana Gaming Commission voted last week to approve emergency rules regulating sports betting in the state. 

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