Oregon and Indiana are two states that have only recently legalized sports betting (within the last two months). When legal sports betting officially launched in both states, it was permitted only at a licensed physical location like a casino. Language in both state’s bills does allow for mobile gaming, but there hasn’t yet been an approved solution in either state. However, both Oregon and Indiana now do have working mobile applications with a finalized date for launch. Here’s what you need to know about mobile betting in Oregon and Indiana!
Oregon – October 7th
The state of Oregon first offered legal sports betting in late August. Bettors have had the ability to visit Chinook Winds Casino Resort on the coast of Oregon for their gaming desires, but this is a two hour drive west of Portland. Other tribal casinos within Oregon do have permission to offer sports betting at their establishments. None of them have publicly announced their intention to do so.
While sports betting is legal in Oregon, the single solution for anyone wanting to place a wager is extremely inconvenient. Having a mobile application will definitely make things much easier for residents of the state. The Oregon State Lottery wanted to have the mobile app ready in time for the first week of the NFL regular season, but they delayed the release to ensure that everything is working flawlessly.
Now nearing the end of week 4 in the NFL, the state has finally finished their testing process. At this point, all they need is funding approval from a financial partner. This will surely be resolved quickly, which means that the wait for a mobile betting option is over. As it currently stands, the expected release date of the state’s mobile app is October 7th.
Adding a mobile option to the state is fantastic for all residents looking to place a wager. It will also be the only mobile betting option within the state unless tribal casinos request to renegotiate the terms of their gambling compacts. At the same time, it also offers anyone who lives in the Pacific Northwest a legal avenue to place a sports wager through.
Considering that neighboring states of Washington and Idaho do not permit sports betting, this will give them an opportunity to participate (even if it is a long drive). Making matters easier, you do not need to register for the mobile application in person.
Indiana – October 3rd
The state of Indiana arrived on the legal sports betting scene a little later than Oregon, but not by much. On September 7th, Horseshoe Hammond Casino became the first Indiana casino to accept sports wagers. Since then, there are now a total of 13 different Indiana sportsbooks that have opened to give residents additional options to conveniently visit.
Despite being a more-recent arrival, Indiana will actually begin to offer mobile betting earlier than Oregon. Earlier this week, the state’s Gaming Commission gave Rush Street Interactive the green light to release their application. Unlike Oregon, Indiana will actually have multiple sportsbooks within the state that have permission to launch a mobile app.
The key difference here is that Rush Street Interactive is the first to actually receive approval. This means that they will have an advantage over any other newcomers. Rush Street Interactive’s mobile app will be released on October 3rd, meaning that eager mobile bettors won’t need to wait any longer! You can also register online to easily start placing mobile bets, but you do still need to provide personal information for identity verification purposes.
