Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

Indiana criminal charge

Unlawful gambling in Indiana

Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session

Unlawful gambling is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-45-5-2. Its classification is not fixed: Indiana assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.

Defined by Ind. Code § 35-45-5-2.

What is the penalty for unlawful gambling in Indiana?

Penalties for Unlawful gambling
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 180 days (Unlawful gambling — general — Applies to unlawful gambling in general, except as provided in subsection (c).)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-3
Fineup to $1,000 (Unlawful gambling — general — Applies to unlawful gambling in general, except as provided in subsection (c).)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-3-3
Jail / prison6 months to 30 months (Unlawful gambling — Internet operator — Applies when an operator knowingly or intentionally uses the Internet to engage in unlawful gambling in Indiana or with a person located in Indiana.; fixed term; advisory sentence 1 year; court may enter judgment of conviction as a Class A misdemeanor in limited circumstances (IC 35-50-2-7(c)))presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-7
Fineup to $10,000 (Unlawful gambling — Internet operator — Applies when an operator knowingly or intentionally uses the Internet to engage in unlawful gambling in Indiana or with a person located in Indiana.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-7

Applies to current.

How is unlawful gambling classified in Indiana?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Unlawful gambling
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Unlawful gambling — generalClass B MisdemeanorApplies to unlawful gambling in general, except as provided in subsection (c).Ind. Code § 35-45-5-2(b)
Unlawful gambling — Internet operatorLevel 6 FelonyApplies when an operator knowingly or intentionally uses the Internet to engage in unlawful gambling in Indiana or with a person located in Indiana.Ind. Code § 35-45-5-2(c)

Common questions about unlawful gambling in Indiana

Is unlawful gambling a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: unlawful gambling ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-45-5-2.

Unlawful gambling — general: Class B Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-45-5-2(b)) · Unlawful gambling — Internet operator: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-45-5-2(c))

What are the penalties for unlawful gambling in Indiana?

Penalties for unlawful gambling in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Misdemeanor up to a Level 6 Felony — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 35-50-3-3 and Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Indiana statute covers unlawful gambling?

Unlawful gambling is governed by Ind. Code § 35-45-5-2 (Unlawful gambling).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.