Hoosier Lottery Plans To Add Online Games For Indiana Gamblers

The Hoosier Lottery is planning to introduce online options to its offerings soon. This would position Indiana as the ninth state to offer online versions of traditional lottery games.

Nonetheless, some retailers are worried about the lottery transitioning to online without obtaining authorization from legislators.

The authority belongs to the Hoosier Lottery.

Back in 1989, the lottery was legalized in the state of Indiana by the General Assembly.

The Hoosier Lottery, established over 30 years ago through the Lottery Act, is experiencing some resistance as it attempts to transition its options to an online platform.

Currently, due to the Lottery Act, it seems that the Hoosier Lottery has the power to transition online without the need for legislative approval.

Recently, lottery officials had a meeting with House Speaker Todd Huston to talk about transitioning online. From a legal standpoint, both parties concur that the state legislature’s involvement is not necessary to facilitate this change.

Huston, however, does harbor some concerns about retail lottery ticket sellers. He desires their cooperation with the process, instead of opposition against it.

“I have made it emphatically clear that any actions taken should benefit local retailers, thereby keeping the money within local communities. My expectation is that local retailers must be in agreement and actively participate in these discussions, ensuring their vital involvement.”

Others are pushing back

Currently, the Hoosier Lottery Commission is in charge of introducing online lottery options.

The five members are effecting the change in accordance with the Lottery Act. Although the commission possesses the legal authority to do this, there are still suggestions that Indiana should modify its initial law.

Scot Imus, the Executive Director of the Indiana Food and Fuel Association, insists that the Hoosier Lottery should not introduce online options without obtaining new authorization from the General Assembly.

His argument revolves around the notion that the internet and cell phones were not in the contemplation of lawmakers when the Lottery Act was initially passed in Indiana in 1989.

The CEO of the Casino Association of Indiana, Matt Bell, shares similar concerns.

We hold the view that this is a debate related to legislative policy. Gaming policy always carries consequences. For nearly four decades, it has been the job of the legislature to resolve such issues.

Both express concern that introducing online lottery options may negatively affect in-person gambling sales within the state.

Regardless of their concerns, neither Imus nor Bell can genuinely alter the situation.

Currently, the legislature doesn’t wish to intervene. Consequently, this allows the Hoosier Lottery to incorporate online options without facing significant obstacles.

Retail is not harmed by online gambling.

Whenever a digital version of a traditional gambling option emerges, there are always concerns about it negatively affecting brick-and-mortar sales.

In simpler terms, online gambling options do not typically decrease the sales numbers of their retail counterparts. However, this is not always the case.

The focus is on enhancing accessibility for Hoosiers. Introducing online options contributes to total sales instead of just diverting numbers from physical options.

For instance, consider sports betting in Indiana, which was initially only accessible at various state casinos.

Casinos received over $35 million in sports bets in September 2019. However, this amount was significantly small compared to the total sports betting figures from January 2022.

Last month, Hoosiers wagered over $500 million on sports, nearly $42 million of which was placed in-person at casinos.

To summarize, the number of physical bets is increasing, not decreasing. The Hoosier Lottery has the opportunity to replicate this trend.

The online Hoosier Lottery could potentially grow alongside in-person sales by adding more options. Additionally, Hoosiers will benefit from the added convenience of purchasing lottery tickets online.

The new changes coming to the Hoosier Lottery could make that a reality sooner than expected.