Out-Of-State March Madness Bettors Have Abundance Of Options In Indiana

Out-Of-State March Madness Bettors Have Abundance Of Options In Indiana

Posted on March 16, 2021

This is a once-in-a-lifetime March Madness tournament.

It’s a basketball fan’s dream since all of the event’s games are taking place in Indiana.

That gives Hoosiers plenty of opportunities to watch some college hoops, but it also invites fans from around the country to come watch their favorite teams.

Traveling fans are the norm for March Madness.

Since Indiana has legal sports betting, many of those travelers will be betting on March Madness while they’re here.

Online March Madness betting in Indiana

There are still plenty of states that are a step behind when it comes to sports betting.

For travelers coming from those states, March Madness could be their first introduction to the legal industry.

Using an online sportsbook is the fastest and easiest way to start betting on sports in Indiana.

All you have to do is download a sportsbook app to your phone and sign up. The entire process only takes a few minutes.

The best part is, users can sign up for an Indiana online sportsbook account from anywhere. This means you’ll be ready to place a bet as soon as you make the trip.

Once you’re within state lines, your phone will check your location and allow you to start placing bets.

Live betting is also an option with online sportsbooks in the state.

Even if you’re at Lucas Oil Stadium watching a game, you can just take out your phone and bet on the action right in front of you as it’s happening.

That makes online betting the best option, but if betting in-person sounds like more fun, you can certainly still head to one of Indiana’s casinos to use their retail sportsbook.

In-person casino March Madness betting

Most of this year’s March Madness games are taking place in Indianapolis, but there’s still some action going on in Bloomington and West Lafayette.

If you’re in Indy to catch some tournament games, then your closest option for in-person betting is actually downtown.

The Winner’s Circle location in Indianapolis has a sportsbook that you can use to place your bets.

As far as an actual casino goes, Indiana Grand Casino or Harrah’s Hoosier Park are relatively close as well.

Things are a little tougher if you’re in Bloomington or West Lafayette for the action.

French Lick Casino could be an intriguing option if you’re in Bloomington for the tournament.

For basketball fans in West Lafayette, you’re about an hour and a half away from the casinos near Chicago.

Those properties are equally as far away from the casinos near Indianapolis.

Betting with an online sportsbook is still an easier option.

However, if you’re set on visiting a casino instead, then just be ready to deal with special COVID-19 safety rules.

March Madness gamblers from Ohio and Kentucky

If you’re coming from a nearby state, betting on March Madness can still be an easy process.

Residents of Ohio and Kentucky are living without legal sports betting for now.

Heading to Indiana is likely the best March Madness option for gamblers in those states.

That’s especially true if you live near the Indiana border. All it takes to use one of Indiana’s sportsbooks is a quick drive over the state line.

You’ll be able to place bets from your phone once you’re in Hoosier territory.

So Indiana has you covered whether you’re from Ohio and want to bet on the Buckeyes, or from Kentucky betting on Morehead States games.

Illinois gamblers visiting Indiana

If you’re from Michigan, there isn’t really a reason for you to come to Indiana to bet on March Madness.

The state has a legal sports betting market of its own, so Michigan residents can bet from their homes without any problems.

Gamblers in Illinois aren’t so lucky.

Even though Illinois has legal sports betting, you can’t bet on the state’s college teams. That could keep gamblers coming to Indiana this March.

Illinois just won the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2005.

The Fighting Illini are a No. 1 seed for March Madness this year, so it’s disappointing that Illinois gamblers can’t bet on them in their home state.

The same goes for Loyola-Chicago.

That makes Indiana a great sports betting option for Illinois residents.

Just like those in Ohio and Kentucky, Illinois gamblers can just take a quick drive over the border into Indiana to bet from their phones.

There’s already a ton of people heading to Indiana for March Madness. Illinois residents can feel free to join the party if they want to bet on teams from their home state.

Photo by Associated Press
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Jake Garza

Jake Garza is a US Gambling Industry Analyst for Catena Media. He specializes in Midwest sports betting and casino content. Prior to covering the legal gambling industry, he spent time as a professional sports writer, reporting on teams such as the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers. Garza is currently working as a Managing Editor for PlayIndiana and PlayOhio, with previous stops at other well-known brands such as PlayIllinois and PlayMichigan. He has been covering the gambling industry since 2019, and currently works with a team of other journalists to provide comprehensive coverage of the legal U.S. gambling industry.

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