Zona de Azar USA – USA: Indiana Joins List of States Legalizing Sports Betting

USA.- May 13th 2019 www.zonadeazar.com Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb endorsed the bill to act on the measure approved by lawmakers after they reached a deal.

Sports betting will become legal in Indiana and construction of two new casinos will be allowed in the state under a bill signed by the governor Eric Holcomb. So far this year, Indiana joins Montana and Tennessee in legalizing sports wagering after six other states moved quickly following a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing it nationwide last year. An Iowa sports betting bill is awaiting a decision by that state’s governor and several other states are considering legalization measures.

Indiana sports wagering could start in September. Bets could be placed by anyone 21 or older at a casino or by mobile devices after a bettor has registered with an Indiana casino. Indiana’s law will allow wagering on collegiate sports, but not on high school or youth sporting events.

“By modernizing our laws, this legislation will spur positive economic growth for our state and for an industry that employs over 11,000 people. Additionally, it will bring in new revenue and create hundreds of new jobs, both permanent and in construction,” Holcomb said.

The Indiana House had voted to permit sports betting only at casino sites as some members argued it would easily allow illegal wagering by minors and set the state up to future attempts for letting traditional casino games like blackjack move online. But Senate sponsors pushed to allow sports wagering through smartphones, arguing that doing otherwise would be an unreasonable limit.

Another section of the bill allows the two horse track casinos near Indianapolis to have table games such as blackjack with live dealers starting January 1st, 2020, 18 months earlier than allowed under current law.

Edited by: Zona de Azar Press www.zonadeazar.com