Indiana legal term
Gambling in Indiana Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session
In Indiana criminal law, “Gambling” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Indiana criminal code.
What does “Gambling” mean in Indiana criminal law?
"Gambling" means risking money or other property for gain, contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, or the operation of a gambling device, but it does not include participating in: (1) bona fide contests of skill, speed, strength, or endurance in which awards are made only to entrants or the owners of entries; or (2) bona fide business transactions that are valid under the law of contracts. (Ind. Code § 35-45-5-1)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.