【Densho demo】Indiana moves within a signature of banning online lottery couriers

Senate Bill 94 (SB 94), passed by the General Assembly, seeks to prohibit the operation of online lottery courier services within the state.

It follows a failed attempt earlier this year to legalise online gambling and lotteries in the state.

The legislation clearly defines a “lottery courier service” as a for-profit business that purchases or facilitates the purchase of lottery tickets on behalf of consumers and delivers them or transmits electronic images of the tickets for compensation.

Under SB 94, services like Jackpocket, theLotter, and Jackpot would be considered illegal unless they receive express written authorisation from the Indiana Lottery Commission — authorisation that the bill does not allow the commission to issue.

The bill establishes that any person operating a lottery courier service without commission approval commits a Class A misdemeanour.

It simultaneously states that the commission is under no obligation to authorise any such service, effectively creating a statutory ban unless future legislative action dictates otherwise.

In other words, the bill does not provide for the creation of a licensing process or regulatory framework to allow these services to function legally.

SB 94 modifies several sections of the Indiana Code, adding or updating language to prohibit the Indiana Gaming Commission from independently or through partnerships operating or authorising digital gaming platforms.

This includes online lottery courier services.

These prohibitions also extend to internet-based casino-style games — such as poker, slots, and scratch-offs — as well as draw games and video lottery terminals.

Tightening the reins

The legislation emphasises the state’s commitment to maintaining strict control over lottery operations and limiting digital access to gambling products.

It includes provisions aimed at preserving the integrity and transparency of physical lottery games.

For example, if a game involves a drawing, that process must be public and overseen by an independent certified public accountant.

Additionally, certain internal records — such as ticket inventory and order history — are designated as confidential to protect the security of the lottery system.

Other US states, including Arizona, Connecticut, New Jersey and Texas, are also taking action to limit or regulate online lottery courier services.

The approaches are not symmetrical, however, a sign that there is no clear consensus on the legality of the platforms.

Indiana’s legislation reflects a definitively restrictive approach.

By criminalising the operation of courier services — and by giving no legal right or framework for their approval — the state is signalling that it does not intend to permit digital intermediaries in the lottery ticket purchasing process.

This approach is consistent with Indiana’s broader policies on gambling, which have traditionally emphasised tight regulatory control and limited expansion of digital gaming platforms.

The bill now awaits the signature of the governor. If signed into law, the provisions will take effect on 1 July.

Any future change would require legislative action to reverse or amend the current prohibition.