Legal DFS in Indiana
The legal status of daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests remains ambiguous in numerous states. However, Indiana stands out as an exception. In March 2016, a law was enacted in Indiana to regulate and legalize DFS sites.
On this page, we provide all the information you need about daily fantasy sports contests in Indiana. These are short-term games that replicate the season-long contests typically enjoyed in offices or amongst friends. Users can win real money by selecting the best team while staying under a salary cap.
Best Daily Fantasy Sports Sites in Indiana
What is DFS?
If you’re new to daily fantasy sports, let’s break it down. Each participant is given a salary cap to select players from major sports leagues. This cap hinders you from choosing all the top players, thereby adding an element of strategy. Once the game(s) are over, the performance of your lineup is evaluated.
Player performance is measured by game statistics, which are then used to determine the winner. The number of winners and the prize amount vary based on the specific rules of each contest. You have the option to participate in leagues that focus on NHL, NFL, NBA, or MLB games. Also, there are leagues available for collegiate games and lesser-known sports. Competitions typically last for a day or a week, but there are also longer ones. You can either establish a small league with your friends or workmates or participate in nationwide contests with huge prize pools and thousands of participants.
Other alternatives encompass head-to-head and 50/50 challenges, in which half of the participants can double their stake. The buy-in can be as low as a quarter, or you can join the professional DFS pools with buy-ins starting at $1,000.
Is Daily Fantasy Sports legal in Indiana?
There are noticeable variations in how different states handle Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). Some states like Arizona, Alabama, Hawaii and Washington prohibit these contests. Other states, such as Indiana, have specific legislation that addresses these contests. However, in most states, DFS exists in a legal gray area where it’s neither explicitly legal nor illegal.
Bill 339 was enacted into law for Indiana by then-Gov. Mike Pence on March 24, 2016. The regulation of DFS contests throughout the state is overseen by the Indiana Gaming Commission. The law also introduced licensing fees and taxes, established responsible gaming rules, and required an annual third-party audit.
DraftKings, FanDuel, and Other DFS Sites
DFS contests mirror poker rooms in the way that larger player pools generate a positive feedback loop.
Due to their aggressive marketing and substantial budgets, DraftKings and FanDuel have secured over 90% of the market share. This dominance allows them to provide larger prizes, a greater variety of contests, and superior promotions compared to their competitors. With these two platforms controlling a significant portion of the DFS market, emerging sites and apps are starting to introduce innovative features. New twists on traditional contests, like the inclusion of parlays, are starting to surface. The following is a brief overview of the two leading DFS platforms.
DraftKings
Initiated in 2012, this site, based in Boston, has expanded to become a dominant player in the DFS scene in both the US and Canada. The site offers a larger number of contests covering major and college leagues than any other platform.
Credit cards and PayPal are accepted as deposit methods at DraftKings. New members receive a complimentary $20 on their initial deposit. Additionally, both new and current DFS players can avail a deposit match up to $500. Regular promotions and loyalty programs help maintain your bank balance. DraftKings can be accessed through its sports betting app, compatible with both Apple and Android devices, or through its website, which automatically adjusts to your device’s screen size.
The primary competitions are divided into leagues, direct match-ups, and 50/50 games. Additionally, there are qualifiers that provide a chance to participate in contests with larger prizes, either directly or through a “steps” system. Numerous contests come with guaranteed prize pools, promising the advertised payout regardless of whether the total player entries reach the set goal. While top-tier sports attract the most participants, DFS contests also cover other events like golf, soccer, motorsports, e-sports, and MMA.
FanDuel
FanDuel’s platform might not offer as many minor sports options as DraftKings, but it certainly provides a plethora of additional features for seasoned DFS players. Those who register for FanDuel DFS through Play Indiana will instantly get a $5 bonus, with an additional $5 added to their first deposit.
Promotions are just the tip of the iceberg with a player’s club providing extra benefits. FanDuel offers “training camps” to demonstrate how contests operate. FanDuel is accessible through its apps and website. A standout feature of this site is the guaranteed prizes for contests.
Although the competition is fierce, if your selections are successful, the rewards are undoubtedly there. Both head-to-head and 50/50 competitions are open for entry. FanDuel provides indicators showing the number of experienced players participating, which can give you an idea of the level of competition. Sports covered include all major leagues: NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. Competitions based on college sports, soccer, or golf are also available for entry.
Which contests can I participate in at DFS sites?
DFS games come in a variety of formats. The staple format is the leagues, which involve multiplayer contests. These can differ in terms of the sports they involve, the rules they follow, and the payouts they offer. Head-to-head contests are another type, which involve individual challenges with the winner taking home the prize. Let’s delve into an overview of the various DFS game variations:
- GPP Games: Numerous leagues come with guaranteed prize pools (GPP). The primary benefit of these leagues is that they pay out the announced amount, regardless of whether the entry number hits the goal or not. Naturally, larger prizes draw in more players. These leagues encompass all sports offered by each Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) site.
- Leagues and Competitions: All players possess the authority to establish a league or a single competition. These can be either open to the public or exclusively private, accessible only through an invitation for friends or coworkers. The individual who initiates the league or competition is responsible for setting the sport, the salary cap regulations, the prize amounts, and the distribution of the winnings. Leagues have the ability to hold repeat competitions after a specified duration, such as weekly competitions throughout a season.
- In the Head-to-Head format, you are pitted against another individual, testing your selection skills. On matchdays, there are thousands of chances to participate. FanDuel employs a matrix system, allowing you to enter a contest and compete against several different opponents in numerous one-on-one matches.
- Qualifier Contests: These contests come in a variety of formats but share a common goal. You participate in a picks contest for a modest stake and, if successful, gain entry into a larger buy-in contest. DraftKings provides a “steps” model which includes several tiers of qualifiers.
- 50/50 Games: This is a DFS format with lesser variance. In this, half of the participants double their entry fee while the other half doesn’t win anything. Winning the larger contests can be challenging. However, in this format, you only need to be in the top half to win a prize.
- Multiplier Games: These games take the concept of a 50/50 contest and offer entry fee multipliers of 3x or more for those who reach the top tiers with their selections.
Tips for Daily Fantasy Sports Strategy
DFS sites are home to numerous amateur sports enthusiasts and recreational players. Some professionals earn their livelihood by outperforming their competitors. At lower stakes, there’s a genuine opportunity for you to make money. However, as you progress, it becomes necessary to take your selections and game choices more seriously.
5 DFS tips for profitability
There are numerous sports and game variations available, thus many recommendations for DFS players revolve around lineup selections. The following 5 general tips will assist you in sidestepping common errors:
- Avoid Leaving Salary Gaps: Typically, the salary designated to each player is a good indicator of their worth. If you continuously select lineups that don’t reach your contest’s cap, you’re likely not playing at your best. With more experience, you will recognize instances where salary gaps may be acceptable. However, initially, strive to minimize your salary gaps as much as possible.
- Leverage Beginner Contests: A plethora of games are exclusively designed for beginners. These games provide you with opponents of similar experience levels, not seasoned players. Utilizing this opportunity aligns with making the most of promotional and bonus offers.
- Multiple Lineups: Although one lineup could potentially bring you major success, numerous players opt to diversify their risk. By making minor adjustments to your lineups and participating in several contests, each with a fraction of the stake you would have placed on a single lineup, is an excellent strategy for risk distribution. This approach also enables faster discovery of effective strategies and identification of less successful selections.
- Bankroll Management: You’ve likely encountered the saying: never gamble with money you can’t afford to lose. By applying principles of bankroll management, you can dodge bankruptcy, and even improve your odds of becoming a profitable bettor.
- Choosing Your Game and Contest: As a novice player, it’s important to explore various methods of entering contests, and possibly even participate in a few different sports. The variety of games available extends beyond this. You can adjust the variance levels of different formats. For instance, though the popular GPP (guaranteed prize pool) contest may attract a lot of players, only a few will emerge as winners. Balancing this with some 3x or 50/50 contests can help minimize your overall risk. This strategic approach will enhance your chances of participating in future contests and give you a better shot at winning big.
Conclusion: DFS in Indiana
In 2016, Indiana made it legal to engage in daily fantasy sports contests for real cash. It’s crucial to understand that like any other gambling proceeds, DFS earnings are subject to taxation.
In addition to legal sports betting, DFS contests provide an excellent avenue to place bets on your favorite leagues. Both present opportunities for sports betting, catering to every gambler’s preference.