Indiana Moves to Ban Lottery Couriers
Indiana’s lawmakers are poised to outlaw unauthorized lottery courier services, with Senate Bill 94 (SB 94) and House Bill 1053 sailing through both chambers of the General Assembly.
A Crackdown on Unauthorized Services
Now awaiting Gov. Mike Braun’s signature, the bills would brand these services as Class A misdemeanors if they operate without explicit state approval.
Neither the Indiana Lottery Commission nor the Gaming Commission can greenlight them under current rules, setting up a hard ban.
The legislation targets for-profit outfits that buy lottery tickets for customers and deliver them or send digital images for a fee. SB 94 lays it out clear: no authorization, no operation. It also tasks the Lottery Commission with new rules on bulk ticket purchases, tightening the screws on workarounds.
House Bill 1053 mirrors the language, showing a united front. If Braun signs, firms like Jackpot could face fines or worse, reshaping how Hoosiers play Powerball or Mega Millions.
Why the Push Now
Lottery couriers have dodged oversight in Indiana’s $1.6 billion lottery market, which pumped $381 million into state coffers in 2024. Lawmakers argue these services skirt accountability: no age checks, no problem gambling safeguards, unlike the state’s 11,000 regulated ticket outlets.
SB 94 shuts that gap, barring the Gaming Commission from running or partnering on digital platforms, including couriers, online casinos, or video lottery terminals. It’s a preemptive strike to keep control with the Lottery Commission.
An earlier bill, House Bill 1432, floated a different path: licensing couriers alongside online casinos and lotteries, but it stalled in committee. Rep. Manning’s plan would’ve let the Lottery Commission regulate services like Jackpocket, mirroring states like New Jersey, where couriers thrive under rules.
Instead, SB 94 and HB 1053 double down on prohibition, leaving no room for legal couriers unless future laws flip the script. The state’s $30 million problem gambling fund, dwarfed by lottery revenue, underscores the caution.
Companies like Jackpocket, legal in 18 states, argue they boost ticket sales—New York saw $100 million extra in 2023. They claim built-in checks, like geofencing and ID verification, match retail standards.
Indiana’s ban could push players to offshore sites, which sidestep taxes and oversight. The Lottery Commission’s own data shows 20% of sales come from digital channels elsewhere, hinting at untapped revenue, maybe $50 million yearly, if regulated.
Gov. Braun’s pen holds the key. If he signs SB 94 and HB 1053, unauthorized couriers become illegal the moment the law kicks in likely on July 1, 2025.
Recommended