Indiana Horse Racing Betting
Indiana horse racing betting options consist of parimutuel wagering at race tracks, off-track betting facilities (OTBs), and advance deposit wagering operators (also known as online racebooks or ADWs).
Two race tracks, races held at county and state fairs, three OTBs, and licensed betting sites make up the full extent of legal horse wagering venues in Indiana today.
Indiana Horse Racing Betting Sites
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$200 Deposit BonusDRFBets Promo Code: STAKESThe Indiana Horse Racing Commission (HRC) oversees horse racing and parimutuel wagering throughout the state. Its overarching objectives are to ensure parimutuel wagering is conducted fairly, encourage a healthy horse racing industry, and implement state law.
Essential HRC duties include issuing licenses to personnel and race tracks, conducting drug tests of horses and jockeys, marketing the Indiana horse racing industry, and adopting new regulations as needed.
Indiana Online Horse Betting Apps
Online and mobile horse racing betting is legal and regulated in Indiana. The Racing Commission issues licenses to qualified ADWs and prohibits unlicensed operators from offering their services to residents.
Under state law, customers must be 21 or older and residents of Indiana to bet on horse races online.
Note: All horse racing betting sites listed on this page are authorized by the HRC to provide parimutuel wagering in Indiana.
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Indiana Horse Racetracks
Indiana is home to two major race tracks plus various state and county fairs that host races with parimutuel wagering each year.
Indiana’s two permanent race tracks are owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment and come equipped with a full-service casino in addition to a busy racing schedule. At each, visitors will find slots, table games, sports betting, off-track betting, multiple dining options, and a hotel.
Horseshoe Indianapolis
4300 N Michigan Road
Shelbyville, IN 46176
Horseshoe Indianapolis hosts thoroughbred and quarter horse races from April through November each year. Each season, Horseshoe Indianapolis hosts more than 100 race days for thoroughbreds and quarter horses. The track measures 1 mile with a 7-furlong turf course, and the grandstand can seat 800 guests.
On the casino side, Horseshoe Indianapolis hosts slot machines, e-table games, a sportsbook, and simulcast wagering.
Harrah’s Hoosier Park
4500 Dan Patch Circle
Anderson, IN 46013
Harrah’s Hoosier Park hosts standardbred races from March through December each year. Access to the track is free, with complimentary parking available for all visitors.
The oval racetrack measures 7/8th of a mile and hosts upwards of 160 days of live harness racing each season. The grandstand can seat 1,750 people
The casino at Harrah’s Hoosier Park hosts more than 2,000 slots plus table games, a sportsbook, and off-track racing betting.
Indiana Fair Races
The Horse Racing Commission also oversees races held at county fairs and the annual State Fair as a part of the Indiana-Sired Fair Circuit. Dozens of races are held across the state at various county fairs each year, and the circuit culminates in the Indiana State Fair Championship for harness racing at the State Fair every August.
Major Indiana Horse Racing Events
- Breeders Crown: Series of championship harness racing events, occasionally held at Harrah’s Hoosier Park and featuring $6,000,000 in purses
- Dan Patch Stakes: $225,000 purse, open to 3yo+ pacers, held each August at Harrah’s Hoosier Park as Indiana’s biggest harness race
- Caesars Trotting Classic: $150,000 purse, open to 3yo+ trotters, held each September at Harrah’s Hoosier Park
- Monument Circle Pace: $160,000 purse, open to 3yo pacers, held each November at Harrah’s Hoosier Park
- Indiana Derby: $500,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held each July at Indiana Grand
- Indiana Oaks: $200,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held each July at Indiana Grand
- Michael G Schaefer Memorial Mile: $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ thoroughbreds, held each July at Indiana Grand
- Caesars Stakes: $150,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held each August at Indiana Grand
- Indiana Grand Stakes: $150,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held each August at Indiana Grand
- Gordon Mobley Futurity Final: $15,000 purse, open to Indiana sired freshman quarter horses, held each summer at Indiana Grand
- Miss Roxie Little Futurity Final: $150,000 purse, open to Indiana bred 2yo quarter horses, held each October at Indiana Grand
Indiana Off-Track Betting Locations
Off-track betting facilities (OTBs) are legal in Indiana, although there are just a handful of locations across the state:
- Winner’s Circle OTB Indiana Grand
- Winner’s Circle OTB Clarksville
- Winner’s Circle OTB Downtown Indianapolis
- Winner’s Circle OTB New Haven
Indiana Online Horse Racing Betting Law
Online horse racing betting, also known as advance deposit wagering, is legal in Indiana under IC § 4-31-7.5, which begins:
In enacting his chapter, it is the intent of the general assembly to recognize changes in technology for pari-mutuel wagering and to retain for the Indiana horse racing industry a part of revenues generated by Indian residents on wagers placed with secondary pari-mutuel organizations.
IC § 4-31-7.5-9 lays it out even more clearly:
Advance deposit wagering is permitted in Indiana, subject to this chapter and rules adopted by the commission.
Some of the key regulations guiding advance deposit wagering in Indiana include:
- Minimum age of 21 to bet on horses online
- ADW operators must be approved by the commission to operate in Indiana
- The annual licensing fee for approved ADW operators is $1,000 per year
- The HRC uses 25% of the revenue collected from ADW source market fees to promote horse racing at the state fair and county fairs
- 75% of the revenue collected from ADW fees to “promote and encourage Indiana horse owner and horse trainer participation at a permit holder’s horse racing facility”
Indiana Breed Development Programs
IC § 4-31-11 tasks the HRC with establishing development committees for each type of horse that participates in Indiana races. The HRC now operates three breed development programs that promote the breeding of quality horses and stimulate the agri-business sector of Indiana’s economy.
Each program receives funding from breakage, uncashed tickets, and a percentage of slot machine wagering at race tracks.
- Standardbred Breed Development Program
- Thoroughbred Breed Development Program
- Quarter Horse Breed Development Program
Indiana Horse Racing Betting FAQ
Wes Burns has more than a decade’s worth of experience as a writer, researcher and analyst in the legal gambling industry and is co-founder of BettingUSA.com. As a former professional online poker player, Wes approaches his work from the viewpoint of players.