Indiana

Last updated: 3/13/2026

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Poker laws vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for specific legal questions about hosting poker games.

Indiana has no general social gambling exception, and state regulators treat private home poker games played for money as unlawful gambling; the prior '$200 per day' allowance in this entry could not be substantiated. The state has a well-developed commercial casino industry and charitable gaming framework, and the Pokagon Band operates a tribal casino.

Home Games

Gray Area

Indiana law does not contain a general social gambling exception for home card games. IC 35-45-5-1(l) provides that a card game (or an electronic version of one) is a game of chance and may not be considered a bona fide contest of skill, and the Indiana Gaming Commission's Gaming Control Division takes the position that gaming is lawful only in the regulated channels (lottery, riverboat casinos, pari-mutuel wagering, charity gaming, racetrack gaming, Type II gaming) and that a buy-in makes a poker game illegal. Enforcement against small private games is uncommon, but players should not assume a statutory safe harbor exists.

Conditions

No statutory safe harbor exists for private home games
Any rake, fee, buy-in retained by a host, or other host profit increases exposure to unlawful gambling and professional gambling charges
Card games are treated as games of chance, not contests of skill, under IC 35-45-5-1(l)

Age: 18+

Charitable Gaming

Legal - Licensed & Regulated

Indiana has a comprehensive charitable gaming framework. Qualified nonprofits can obtain licenses to hold casino nights, poker tournaments, and other gaming events.

License: Required

Commercial Poker

Legal - Licensed & Regulated

Indiana has multiple commercial casinos with poker rooms. The Horseshoe Hammond is one of the largest poker rooms in the Midwest. The Pokagon Band operates Four Winds Casino.

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