Indiana governor places first legal sports bet in the 12th US state to join the market

Sports betting is underway in Indiana, which became the 12th US state to allow legal sports wagers, with Gov. Eric Holcomb placing a bet at Caesars’ Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville. Sports betting also opened at Ameristar Casino Hotel in East Chicago, and the Hollywood Casino & Hotel in Lawrenceburg.

Holcomb on Sunday placed a $10 bet for the Colts to win the Super Bowl, a $10 bet for the Pacers to win the NBA Championship and a $10 bet for the Indiana Fever to win Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx. All winnings from the governor's bets will go to the Indiana Canine Assistant Network, which places assistance dogs with people with disabilities.

Indiana Grand Casino became the first Caesars Entertainment property in Indiana to open a sportsbook. The sportsbook now also makes the casino in Shelbyville the second-largest Caesars Entertainment property behind Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, officials said Sunday during the sportsbook ribbon cutting, as reported by IndyStar.

"The legislature did something rare. We're progressing with this gaming bill and bringing another amenity to not only Shelbyville, but also the state of Indiana, with sports wagering," Rep. Sean Eberhart said. "And it helps us bring a little bit of competition with other neighboring states. Hoosiers can now bet with confidence."

Most of Indiana’s 13 state-regulated casinos and all three off-track betting parlors plan on offering sports betting by the end of September. They expect to attract gamblers from neighboring states where sports wagers aren’t allowed.

The Indiana Gaming Commission has approved the Horseshoe Hammond casino to start taking wagers on Wednesday. The French Lick Resort has approval for opening its sportsbook on Friday.

House Bill 1015 was signed into law in May and made sports wagering legal at riverboats, race tracks, a Vigo County casino and satellite facilities. The law went into effect Sunday. Indiana law prohibits wagering on high school and amateur youth sporting events. Betting on NCAA Division I sports, however, is allowed.