The great news for Louisiana bettors is that Louisiana online sports betting is legal, alive and kicking, after legalizing sports betting on January 28. Now, there are seven legal sports wagering and online sports betting apps that have taken their first official online sportsbook bets – including DraftKings, Caesars and BetMGM
However, retail sports betting launched even earlier, in October 2021 – and they are getting ready to launch the Louisiana lottery sports betting product as we speak.
Now, Louisiana bettors can enjoy lots of bonus offers from some of the best sportsbook operators in the US.
Louisiana Sports Betting 2022 Recent Updates
- 3rd February 2022: Around 3.6% of Louisiana’s adult population made a sports betting transaction within the first 36 hours of online betting.
- 4th February 2022: A mattress retailer from Texas placed a record $4.5 million sports wager on the Super Bowl in the state, which shows that it can attract bettors from the neighboring state.
- 8th February 2022: BetRivers became the official sportsbook of the NBA team, New Orleans Pelicans.
- 9th February 2022: WynnBET started taking bets in Louisiana, becoming the seventh online sports betting site in Louisiana.
- 10th February 2022: Fubo Sportsbook announced a deal with Caesars Entertainment, giving it access to the Louisiana sports betting market.
- 11th February 2022: The same Texas Mattress Retailer made another $5 million on the Super Bowl – on top of the previous $4.5 million wager. Both bets were made on Caesar’s Sportsbook Louisiana.
- 14th February 2022: Paysafe opened operations in Louisiana for several Louisiana sports betting sites including DraftKings, Caesars and WynnBET.
- 17th February 2022: In the first four days of mobile sports betting apps in Louisiana, over $40.5 million was spent on online wagers in January… compared to the $49 million spent on retail sports wagering in the entire month
Legal Sports Betting in Louisiana
Now, sports betting in Louisiana is completely legal. It opened its first retail sportsbook in October 2021, at a tribal-owned casino. The following month, sports betting opened up in commercial casinos. It was early the following year, on 28th January 2022, that online sportsbooks started launching, with names such as DraftKings, FanDuels, Caesars and BetMGM becoming available to Louisiana sports bettors.
It’s also worth noting that the Louisiana Gaming Control Board has only legalized sports betting in 55 out of 64 parishes, which means that legal sports betting can only take place within the physical borders of the specified parishes. As such, the online sportsbooks will verify your location before taking your bet.
Louisiana Online Sportsbooks
As of January 2022, online sports betting became available to sports bettors in the state. The framework set-up means that there is space for up to 40 Louisiana sports betting apps – as every one of the 20 online sportsbook operators are allowed 2 skins. Additionally, the Louisiana Lottery will also be given a mobile license for sports betting as well as permission to take bets at kiosks, restaurants and bars around the state.
FanDuel has teamed up with DraftKings on two occasions to politically support sports betting daily fantasy sports betting. Caesars Entertainment, the owner of numerous Louisiana properties, has also secured a stadium sponsorship deal with the New Orleans Saints. Let’s take a look at some of the Louisiana online sports betting sites available to date…
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is known as the giant of Daily Fantasy Sports betting and has become one of the biggest names in US sports betting. Now it has become available in Louisiana, sports bettors can experience next-level DFS, excellent traditional sports betting on a site that customizes every player’s preferences based on history.
FanDuel Sportsbook
The rival to DraftKings – and another big name in both DFS and traditional sports betting. It has an excellent mobile sports betting app, is easy to navigate and offers all sorts of services including parlays, same game parlays and more. Retail sports betting has also been opened at the Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino in Shreveport.
BetMGM Sportsbook
Bet MGM represents the MGM Resorts company in Louisiana, one of the biggest casino operators in the world. Its online app is excellent, with smooth navigation, offers features such as Cash Out, Edit Bet and more. It has plenty of bet types available, but can be a little glitchy with its speed at times.
BetRivers Sportsbook
Rush Street Interactive’s sports betting brand, BetRivers offers retail and online sports betting and casino throughout the US. Although it has no retail betting in Louisiana, it was one of the first online sportsbook apps to go live in the state. It also has a sports betting loyalty program – iRush Rewards – giving players all sorts of perks, benefits and prizes.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sports is a well-known name in the US – with plenty of casinos and the purchase of Superdome naming rights. It launched its Caesars sportsbook in Louisiana and offers a solid experience with plenty of great promotions.
Barstool Sportsbook
The sixth sportsbook to launch in the initial Louisiana sports betting wave was Barstool, representing Penn National Gaming. It offers a decent app with all sorts of betting options. It isn’t the easiest of sports betting apps to work out, but it has some quirky features and great promotions. It also operates more than five Barstool retail sportsbooks in Louisiana.
Other Online Sportsbooks coming to Louisiana
If you want even more sports wagering options in the state, the WynnBET has just started operating in the state and there are a few more looking to be a part of the Louisiana sports betting market. With the possibility of up to 41 different sports betting apps, here are some we might see soon in the Pelican State…
- Golden Nugget
- FOX Bet
- PointsBet
and more…
How to Start Sports Betting in Louisiana
It’s quick and easy to start sports betting In Louisiana…
Firstly – register for a new account at your preferred sportsbook. Look through the list of legal Louisiana sports betting apps and register for a new account. Whether on app or desktop just follow the steps, enter the required information including your age and Social Security number, then accept Terms and Conditions.
Download and Install the app onto your phone. The installation should take just a few seconds. You can download it on both Apple and Android mobile devices.
Deposit into your account. As soon as you have registered and downloaded the app, head over to the cashier, choose your preferred payment option (which would usually include PayPal, Skrill, debit and credit cards, prepaid cards, electronic checks and more).
Sports Betting Bonuses in Louisiana
The Louisiana sports betting industry is full of sports betting bonuses – which could be as much as a $1,000 risk-free bet at some sports betting sites. Given that competition is starting to get fierce, you can expect some very decent bonuses. Here are some to look out for.
- Free Bets. This is one of the most popular sports betting bonuses, which allow new bettors to test the site out. When you register, you will be given either bet vouchers or bet credits. These cannot be cashed out for their value, but you will get to keep the money made from the bets.
- A deposit bonus. This is where the sportsbook matches your first deposit – and is often referred to as a match bonus. This is usually a percentage of your bonus (normally 100%). So, if you make a first deposit of $10, you will get an extra $10 in bonus funds to use on the sports betting site.#
- Risk-Free Bets: This doesn’t actually give you anything, per se, but it takes away the risk from your first bet. So, if you lose the first bet you place on the site, the online betting site will refund the value of that bet in a free bonus bet, giving you a second chance. However, if you win your first bet, you don’t get anything!
- Odds boost bonus: This is when Louisiana sports betting apps make your payouts much bigger than they would be usually on certain bets. This is usually no more than 20%.
The Sports Betting Law in Louisiana
Legalized sports betting is now available in Louisiana – but let’s look at the intricacies of legal online sports betting in the state – and what it entails.
In 2021, Legislators in Louisiana started the process of making sports betting legal – as a result of voters who approved sports betting in Louisiana in the previous year. The new laws introduced have led to the creation of an excellent and diverse market for sports betting in the state.
The state framework allows for up to 20 sports betting which allows Louisiana’s 20 casinos and racinos to operate both online and retail sports betting, with two mobile brands each. Customers will be able to register online – which is not the case in all states.
The Louisiana Lottery will also be granted a sports betting license for online and retail sportsbooks.
Most Popular Sports to Bet on in Louisiana
The state of Louisiana has two major professional sports teams – the New Orleans Pelicans and the New Orleans Saints – making it the least populous state with more than one pro sports league team.
In addition, recently LSU is also on the verge of fielding a football team of a professional caliber.
Louisiana NFL Betting
Louisiana NFL sports bettors will be familiar with the ‘Who Dat? cry. The New Orleans football team went from Aints to Saints when they helped to raise the New Orleans spirit after Hurricane Katrina by winning their first-ever NFL Super Bowl title in 2010…(Just don’t talk about the 2019 efforts…).
Louisiana NBA Betting
Despite having been around for more than 20 years, NBA bettors in Louisiana haven’t had much to celebrate when betting on the New Orleans Pelicans. After Hurricane Katrina, they temporarily moved to Oklahoma and were briefly taken over by the league. They are definitely going to want to up their game!
Louisiana NCAA Betting
The state has one of the most dominant college football programs in the US, with the LSU Tigers. In 2019, they won their fourth national title and former team Quarterback, Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy and was the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Given the fact that they contend for the national championships every year, they are very popular for Louisiana sports bettors.
Louisiana Casino Sportsbooks
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board approved Caesars in October 2021, which led to the opening of two sportsbook locations. Since then, here are the casinos that offer sports betting in the Pelican State:
- Amelia Belle Casino – partnered with FanDuel Sportsbook
- Boomtown Bossier City Casino – partnered with Barstool Sportsbook
- Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans – partnered with Barstool
- Coushatta Casino Resort – partnered with The Rez
- Delta Downs Racetrack – partnered with FanDuel
- Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino – partnered with FanDuel
- Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino – partnered with DraftKings
- Harrah’s Casino New Orleans – partnered with Caesars Sportsbook
- L’auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge – partnered with Barstool
- L’auberge Casino & Hotel Lake Charles – partnered with Barstool
- Margaritaville Resort Casino Bossier City – partnered with Barstool
- Paragon Casino Resort Marksville – partnered with Betfred Sports
- Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel & Casino – partnered with Caesars, open)
- Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino – partnered with FanDuel
- Treasure Chest Casino – partnered with FanDuel
There could also be future sportsbooks at the following casinos and racinos:
- Coushatta Casino Resort
- Cypress Bayou
- Jena Choctaw Pines
and
- Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots – partnering with TwinSpires
- Harrah’s Louisiana Downs – partnering with Caesars
- Belle of Baton Rouge Casino Hotel
- Bally’s Casino Shreveport – partnering with Bally Bet
- Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge – partnering with DraftKings
- Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lake Charles – partnering with Caesars
In addition, the Louisiana Lottery will also get its own sports betting license – although a partnership has yet to be announced. The lottery will be able to place sports betting kiosks and terminals throughout the state. As such, unless you live in one of the prohibited nine states, sports betting will soon be everywhere you look.
Louisiana Legal sports Betting Options
Louisiana bettors can enjoy sports betting at numerous casinos – and plenty more on the way – both commercial and tribal.
However, there are also some illegal sports betting websites that are available in the state- which you should be wary of. With no state license, it’s not a given that they will pay out your wins.
The only safe and trustworthy way to enjoy sports betting in Louisiana is via US and state-licensed online sportsbooks.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Louisiana
In 2018, 47 of the 64 Louisiana parishes voted to legalize daily fantasy sports betting. The first to receive a license was DraftKings, which happened in July 2021. FanDuel is also looking to be legalized for DFS soon.
The journey was long – and it took almost 2 years for the Louisiana legislature to pass the DFS taxation bill and the state didn’t start to accept DFS operator licenses until February 2021.
The DFS legislation set up three-year licenses which are based on a tiered fee structure. If the yearly GGR over three years is under $100,000, there is a $5,000 fee. If it lies between $100,000 and $300,000 it is $15,000 and if it is over $300,000 then there is a $40,000 fee.
Louisiana Sports Betting Timeline
2019
Louisiana lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would place Louisiana sports betting on the ballot. However, the Senator, Danny Martiny did put in a lot of effort to get the Louisiana sports betting bill through. Although voters tasked lawmakers for a DFS bill, on the final day, it failed to garner enough support.
2020
Senator Danny Martiny was termed out of office and other legislators pushed for state sports betting.
Some bills questioned sports wagering on the ballot but did include language that would allow sports bettors no chance of betting from home, only in casinos.
Luckily, the bill only put the sports betting issue on the ballot and set the regulatory authority as the Louisiana Gaming Control Board which left the decision on mobile betting for the following year. Ultimately, voters chose to approve sports betting in the state in the majority of state parishes.
2021
This was the year that, thanks to Louisiana legislators, sports betting finally went live at commercial casinos in October – with online sports betting expected to follow in a few months.
Three sports betting bills were passed in the 2021 legislative session which created a legal sports betting market – with the hope that it would be up and running for the football season.
In August that year, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board passed emergency sports betting rules which would allow the state to license by process. In October, retail sportsbetting began and the first retail sportsbook by the tribal Paragon Casino, with commercial casinos following soon after. This was followed by mobile and online sports betting in January 2022.
Louisiana Sports Betting FAQs
Who Oversees Louisiana Sports Betting?
Sports betting in Louisiana is overseen and regulated by The Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Is Mobile Sports Betting Legal in Louisiana?
Yes, mobile and online sports betting were legalized in 2021, paving the way for more than 40 potential online sports betting brands. However, online wagering needs to take place within the approved Louisiana parishes. The first mobile sports betting apps launched in January 2022.
Who Can Place Sports Bets in Louisiana?
In order to place a bet in Louisiana, you need to be aged over 21 years old. Although you don’t need to live in the state, you need to be located in the state – in one of the state’s approved parishes.
Can I Bet on LSU College Teams in Louisiana?
Yes, the Louisiana betting laws allow you to wager on college teams including the LSU Tigers,
Is Horse Racing Betting Legal in Louisiana?
Yes, pari-mutuel betting was legalized in Louisiana in 1940. The state now has four racinos offering horse race betting, live racing and casino games. The state racinos are Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Fair Grounds and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.
