Scratch Indiana off list of states that might pass online casino and online lottery in ’25

Local reporting out of Indiana indicates that Rep. Ethan Manning’s effort to legalize online casinos and online lottery, HB1432, is going no further this legislative session.

Online casino bill won’t get fiscal impact assessment

Per the Indiana Capital Chronicle, House Speaker Todd Huston confirmed the bill won’t move forward and did not obtain a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee. Had it advanced, that committee would’ve looked at the potential financial impact of the bill.

The 2023 effort to legalize online casinos stalled after a negative fiscal note from Indiana Legislative Services Agency.

“There’s all sorts of moving parts about how it impacts certain communities, what it does to the overall gaming environment in Indiana. I think all those things just make it complex to work through,” Huston told the publication.

Cannibalization concerns arose around casino and lottery

Huston also mentioned cannibalization concerns from lawmakers representing districts with land-base casinos. There were similar concerns that the online lottery could impact small business lottery retailers.

Just yesterday, a new group of land-based casinos announced a new association, the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG). The group is focused on lobbying against online casino expansion efforts across the U.S. None of the casino groups associated with the group so far, but Indiana does have several casinos operated by smaller companies, such as French Lick Casino, Rising Star and Four Winds South Bend.

The short effort to legalize online casinos in the state in 2025 came after a year off from gambling legislation in Indianapolis. The moratorium came after Rep. Sean Eberhart plead guilt to corruption charges connected to the bill that legalized sports betting in the state.

Indiana joins a growing list of states whose attempts to expand online gambling stalled early in the legislative season. Virginia and Wyoming efforts are also done for 2025.

The hopes for a state to pass online casino expansion this year are slim. During the company’s Q4 earnings call, BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said the company anticipates zero new states to legislate this year.

https://sbcamericas.com/2025/02/14/indiana-online-casino-measure-2025/