On September 1st, sports betting became legal in the state of Indiana; now the state is announcing the official launch for mobile sports betting, which will go live October 3rd. Throughout the month of September, casinos in the state of Indiana have launched their own sportsbooks in order to take advantage of the sports betting industry that has been growing rapidly throughout the country. On Wednesday, the Indiana Gaming Commission authorized Rush Street Gaming to begin conducting mobile sports betting in early October.
Rush Street Gaming is a Chicago-based gaming company that is known for its partnership with the French Lick Casino. It’s application to launch its 
mobile sportsbook was accepted by the IGC, who notes that the mobile sportsbook meets state requirements. As the Indy Star reported, bettors who will be using the mobile option can expect to see the same types of sports bets that they have come to expect from any casino sportsbook. The mobile sportsbook will be available anywhere in the state, and individuals will not need to register at the French Lick Casino in order to download the app and begin placing their bets.
A Rapid Change for Sports Betting
Since its legalization at the beginning of September, sports betting in the state of Indiana has grown significantly. As of September 1st, three casinos were taking bets at their newly launched sportsbooks. By September 19th, the number of casinos accepting sports wagers had grown to 13. Two other casinos have been authorized to begin accepting sports wagers but have yet to announce an expected launch date for their sportsbooks. Indiana joins the growing list of states who have introduced mobile sports wagering since the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize it last year. Indiana’s Governor, Eric Holcomb, officially signed a bill this past May that brought sports betting to Indiana as of September 1st. Indiana will become the 17th state to launch mobile sports betting, joining Pennsylvania, Iowa, West Virginia, and others.
The announcement of the first mobile sportsbook in the state of Indiana could be an indication that residents can expect others to enter the playing field within the next few months. The IGC made no formal announcement about any additional mobile sportsbooks, but the Majestic Star Casino and Hotel has applied for a sports betting license and the owners have expressed their interest in offering an online sportsbook.
What to Expect
Rush Street Gaming’s app will operate similarly to those that have been running throughout the country. Users will create an account by providing personal information and a form of payment. The app will also use geofencing technology, which will ensure that bettors who are using the app are in fact located within the state of Indiana. The new mobile sportsbook is actually the third online sportsbook that will be operated by Rush Street Gaming, who already offers mobile sports betting in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Perhaps its most notable achievement was the launch of the first online casino, PlaySugarHouse.com, which has grown in popularity over the past three years.
The October 3rd launch could be a large indicator of whether or not other gaming leaders will try their hand at mobile sports betting in Indiana. Gaming leaders like Caesars Entertainment and FanDuel already have a presence in the state’s gaming industry, so it is safe to assume that it is only a matter of time before they become involved. DraftKings, who recently was approved for an online betting application vendor license for the Ameristar Casino East Chicago, could also be eyeing a sports betting app for the state of Indiana. There has also been speculation about the England-based company, Smarkets, and their interest in launching an online sportsbook in the state. For now, bettors can look forward to the October 3rd launch of the Rush Street Gaming app.