Louisiana Sports Betting: Best Legal LA Sportsbooks in 2025

Top 6 Louisiana sports betting sites

The best sportsbooks feature snappy mobile apps, generous welcome bonuses, and competitive odds. Don't hesitate to sign up with any of the sportsbooks below. Here are our top six Louisiana betting sites:

1. BetMGM Louisiana

$1,500 First Bet Offer

Bonus bets expire in 7 days. One new customer offer per user. Additional terms apply. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

CVRBONUS1500

Claim $1,500

With its slick sports betting app and lucrative welcome offer, BetMGM burst onto the Louisiana sports betting scene in early 2022. The BetMGM sportsbook app is one of Covers' preferred options for first-time bettors due to its ease of use and competitive odds. BetMGM is one of the more trusted brands in the sports betting industry, and the operator is proving its worth in Louisiana.

Read more about BetMGM Louisiana in our BetMGM bonus code review.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.3 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $1,500 First Bet Offer
• Payout speed: 2 days

2. FanDuel Louisiana

Bet $5, Win $150

New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place first bet of min $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins.

Claim $150

FanDuel Louisiana, in partnership with Boyd Gaming, continues to impress us and Bayou State bettors. FanDuel's current welcome offer gives new customers a guaranteed boost to their fledgling bankroll. Plus, the operator boasts one of the top sports betting apps in the nation, especially when it comes to live sports betting. 

Check out our FanDuel Review for an expert breakdown of one of the best NBA betting promos of 2025.

• App Store rating: 4.9 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, Win $150
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

3. bet365 Louisiana

Bet $5, Get $150 Win or Lose

Code: COVERS

 Claim $150

$1,000 First Bet Safety Net

Code: COVERS

 Claim $1,000 

Louisiana marks the seventh U.S. state in which bet365 now legally operates, and Bayou State bettors should be excited. The internationally renowned online sportsbook excels in every area you'd want an online sports betting site to excel in — from niche market coverage to an exceptional mobile app to an array of live streaming opportunities — bet365 offers the complete package. Add in its 'Choose: $150 Win or Lose or $1,000 Bonus' welcome offer, which requires the bet365 bonus code 'COVERS' to claim, and there's no reason that LA bettors shouldn't add bet365 to their rotation today. 

Refer to our bet365 Review for more expert analysis.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 Win or Lose or $1,000 First Bet Safety Net 
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

4. Caesars Louisiana

Bet $1, Double Winnings on Your Next 10 Bets

New customers only. Must register using eligible promo code. Place a wager of at least $1 and you'll get 10x 100% profit boosts, up to $2,500 each, win or lose. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms.

COVERSBONUSDYW

Claim Now

The first sportsbook to take a legal online bet in the Pelican State, Caesars Sportsbook Louisiana has the largest welcome bonus for new users. Louisiana bettors can receive up to 10x 100% profit boosts, each worth up to $2,500 by using Caesars Sportsbook promo code 'COVERSBONUSDYW.' Caesars offers a user-friendly mobile sportsbook with phenomenal customer support making it one of our best Louisiana sports betting sites.

Read our Caesars Sportsbook Review for more on Louisiana's best sportsbook.

• App Store rating: 4.7 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $1, Double Winnings on Your Next 10 Bets
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

5. DraftKings Louisiana

Bet $5, Get $150

New customers only. Deposit min. $5. Place first bet of min. $5 (at -500 odds or greater) and get $150 in bonus bets instantly.

Claim $150

The DraftKings mobile betting app is an essential download for any Louisiana sports bettor, ranking as one of the country's best football betting apps. The sportsbook features an intuitive layout, responsive buttons, quick and secure banking, and much more. DraftKings Louisiana also has an extensive and well-organized collection of sports, generous odds boosts, and plenty of unique promos.

Our DraftKings Review digs deeper into key features, supported banking methods, and more.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.3 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 + $1K Deposit Match Bonus
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

6. Fanatics Sportsbook Louisiana

 

Choose: Bet $50, Get $250 or $1,000 Bonus

Ends: Currently ongoing

Claim Now

Fanatics Sportsbook went live in the Bayou State on Aug. 20, 2024, and now Lousiana sports bettors have access to one of the best emerging operators in 2025. Once known as strictly a sports merchandiser, Fanatics Sportsbook offers top-notch sports markets, a fantastic live betting experience, and a great rewards program for loyal bettors. 

Browse our in-depth Fanatics Sportsbook review to learn more.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 3.7 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Choose: Bet $50, Get $250 or $1,000 Bonus
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

Best Louisiana sports betting offers and bonuses

With mobile betting now live, Louisiana sportsbooks are putting their best foot forward to capture the attention of sports bettors in the Pelican State.

Below are the top Louisiana sports betting bonuses for 2025:

BetMGM - $1,500 First Bet Offer: Those who sign up with BetMGM Louisiana will be eligible for a first bet offer of up to $1,500 paid back in bonus bets. If a bettor loses their initial wager, the stake will be returned in equal denominations of 20% of the total amount of the qualifying bet, up to five $300 bonus bets. Bonus bets expire after seven days.  Use BetMGM bonus code 'CVRBONUS1500' to redeem this offer, which expires on Sept. 1, 2025.

FanDuel - Bet $5, Win $150: New FanDuel customers get $150 in bonus bets if your initial bet wins. All it takes is a $5 deposit and a winning $5 wager on any sports market. No FanDuel promo code is required to obtain the offer, which expires on Aug. 10, 2025.

bet365 - Bet $5, Get $150 Win or Lose: Use bet365 bonus code 'COVERS' and turn a $5 bet into $150 in bonus bets. Make a minimum $10 initial deposit and place a qualifying wager on odds of -500 or greater that settles within 30 days of opening their account to activate this offer. Alternatively: New users can choose to claim up to a '$1,000 First Bet Safety Net' offer that applies to their initial wager instead. Both offers must be claimed via the bet365 Sportsbook app and are valid until July 31, 2025, at 6:59 a.m. ET.

Caesars Sportsbook - Bet $1, Double Winnings on Your Next 10 Bets: Caesars has a solid offer for new bettors in the Pelican State. Simply place a real money wager of $1 within your first 30 days using the platform, and if that wager is unsuccessful, you will receive 10x 100% profit boosts, each worth up to $2,500. Use the Caesars Sportsbook promo code 'COVERSBONUSDYW' at sign-up. This offer is good for 14 days from issuance and expires at 11:59 a.m. ET on July 31, 2025.

DraftKings - Bet $5, Get $150: New DraftKings LA users can make a $5 minimum deposit and winning $5 (at -500 odds or greater) wager to secure $150 in bonus bets (6 $25 bonus bets). No DraftKings promo code is required to claim this offer, which is available until Aug. 3, 2025. 

Fanatics Sportsbook - Choose: Bet $50, Get $250 or $1,000 Bonus: No Fanatics Sportsbook promo code is required to score the operator's latest LA welcome bonus — up to $1,000 in no sweat bonus bets. Just make an initial $5 deposit and place a daily $1 wager on a market with -500 odds or longer. If the wager loses, you'll get one (1) bonus bet equal to the amount of the wager, up to $100. Place this wager for 10 consecutive days to earn up to $1,000 in bonus bets. Additionally, you can choose a 'Bet $10, Get $50 in Bonus Bets (5x)' instead. These offers are currently ongoing.

Terms and conditions apply to all bonuses and promotional offers.

Louisiana sports betting updates

Louisiana sports betting was officially legalized on June 22, 2021, when Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the state’s two final pieces of sports betting legislation into law.

Here’s a summary of Louisiana’s sports betting journey to date:

July 4, 2025: Louisiana is now the fourth state to outlaw sweepstakes casinos, joining Michigan, Montana, and Washington.

June 26, 2025: Off-track horse racing betting will resume at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans from Nov. 20 through March 22, 2026 following high-level negotiations, state intervention, and emergency regulatory hearings.

June 18, 2025: Louisiana and Mississippi gaming regulators have ordered many illegal online gaming companies to cease operating in their states, with Louisiana sending 40 cease-and-desist letters and Mississippi issuing 10 orders to illegal gaming companies. 

June 13, 2025: Louisiana’s governor Jeff Landry vetoed a bill that would’ve made sweepstakes gaming illegal in the Pelican State, with Senate Bill 181 wanting to punish violators with up to a $100,000 fine and five years in prison.

June 11, 2025: Louisiana lawmakers have now approved a bill authorizing fixed-odds betting on horse racing and sent it to the governor.

June 9, 2025: The Louisiana Senate passes House Bill 639, which would see the state's operator tax rate increase from 15% to 21.5%. The bill now awaits Gov. Jeff Landry's signature to become law.

May 29, 2025: The Louisiana House of Representatives is moving quickly on legislation to ban online sweepstakes casinos, with Senate Bill 181 (SB 181) clearing new hurdles in the lower chamber. 

May 26, 2025: With sports betting in mind, fixed-odds horse racing gains momentum in the U.S. with former NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme among those pushing for Louisiana to legalize fixed-odds wagering on horse racing in the State.

May 23, 2025: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board announced state operators enjoyed $343.7 million in bets last month, down 11% from March. However, April's hold percentage was over 11% with proceeds up to $37.2M, a 40% month-over-month spike.

May 22, 2025: Louisiana's House of Representatives passed a revised proposal to raise taxes on online sports wagering, opting for a more moderate increase than initially proposed.

May 6, 2025: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board reported that sportsbooks in Louisiana accepted $386 million in wagers for March, a slight increase from a $381.2 million handle from February, though the hold percentage hit a 15-month low.

April 30, 2025: In a 39-to-0 vote, the Louisiana Senate approved a bill that would ban sweepstakes gambling and penalize operators, affiliates, suppliers, influencers, and investors. 

April 7, 2025: Louisiana joins nearly a dozen states to oppose sweepstakes gambling with Senate Bill 181, as these types of online casinos have recently come under fire from state lawmakers and regulators. 

March 26, 2025: Despite a third straight month of lower action, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board announced that statewide operators took in $381.2 million in bets last month.

March 25, 2025: Despite Louisiana enjoying financial success with legal online sports betting, state legislators are still wary of venturing into the more lucrative domain of online casino gaming. 

Feb. 27, 2025: Four New Orleans men’s basketball players (James White, Dae Dae Hunter, Jamond Vincent, and Jah Short) are serving possible gambling-related suspensions, according to multiple reports.

Feb. 24, 2025: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board announced sportsbooks accepted $382.8 million in wagers in January, slightly below December’s $390.7 million and the second straight month of declining action. 

Feb. 4, 2025: Covers' Brad Senkiw provides a New Orleans guide to betting on Super Bowl LIX. 

Jan. 23, 2025: After a good November for betting operators, Louisiana's handle and revenue fall in December, with a 5.5% month-over-month decrease.

Jan. 1, 2025: The College Football Sugar Bowl is postponed a day following a deadly truck attach on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Wednesday morning. 

Dec. 31, 2024: Louisiana earns $56 million in sports betting revenue in November. 

Dec. 12, 2024: Louisiana lawmakers are considering how to tax unregulated iGaming operators, which still earn revenue dispute the state's legal market. 

Nov. 25, 2024: Mobile sportsbook operators in Louisiana compiled a $368.3M betting handle in October, up 33.3% year-over-year.

Nov. 13, 2024: Local lawmakers temporarily shelf a Louisiana online sportsbook tax increase. The proposed bill would raise the state's tax rate on gross gaming wins from 15% to 51%. 

Oct. 21, 2024: Louisiana's handle rises above $350 million in September, which is a 30.9% year-over-year sports betting increase. 

Sept. 26, 2024: Louisiana sports betting handle jumps 27% in August, making it over 35% more revenue compared to August 2023.

Aug. 31, 2024: Australian-owned ClutchBet announces exit from all U.S. markets, including Louisiana, on Sept. 16, 2024.

Aug. 27, 2024: Louisiana regulators issue Bovada with a cease-and-desist order, joining the growing the list of states cracking down on the unlicensed gambling operator. 

Aug. 20, 2024: Louisiana's sports betting handle hits an 11-month low after dropping again in July.  

Aug. 15, 2024: Fanatics Sportsbook officially launches in Louisiana, making nine operators now available in the Bayou State. 

July 24, 2024: Louisiana's sports betting handle falls below $200 million in June and had a 17% drop compared to May's number. 

July 17, 2024: Louisiana authorities drop charges against Kayshon Boutte for gambling and fraud charges while at LSU. 

May 22, 2024: Louisiana sports betting revenue continues to climb in April, exceeding $40 million in gross sports betting revenue. 

May 10, 2024: Ronnie Johns retires as the chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board after three years in the position. 

April 19, 2024: Louisiana sports betting soars with $350 million handle in March, continuing profitable 2024. 

April 3, 2024: Louisiana to ban college player prop betting on August 1, 2024, joining 29 other U.S. states to prohibit the bet type.

March 25, 2024: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board announces a 20% month-over-month decline in February sports betting handle. Louisiana's handle falls below $300 million for the first time in five months.

March 1, 2024: Louisiana House Bill — HB. 473 — proposes bump to sports betting promotions deduction limit to increase overall taxable revenue. 

Feb. 22, 2024: Louisiana's sports betting handle and revenue falls in January by over $30 million despite increased spending on betting promotion.

Jan. 30, 2024: ClutchBet launches its Louisiana online sportsbook.

Jan. 26, 2024: bet365 launches free-to-play fantasy contest in five states, including Louisiana, ahead of NFL Championship Weekend, offering a $25,000 prize pool for each game.

Jan. 23, 2024: Louisiana's betting handle hits a record high in December, bringing in $377 million in bets, which was a 5.7% increase from November's handle. 

Dec. 21, 2023: Louisiana accepts $356.4 million in sports wagers in November, a 15.4% increase month-over-month.

Nov. 21, 2023: bet365 enters the legal Louisiana sports betting market. There are now eight online sportsbooks live in the Bayou State.

Nov. 14, 2023: ESPN BET goes live with online and mobile sports betting, launching in Louisiana and 16 other states.

Nov. 2, 2023: ESPN BET plans to launch on Nov. 14, 2023, with online sports betting going live in 17 U.S. states, including Louisiana. 

Aug. 11, 2023: WynnBet — the legal sports betting and iGaming platform for Wynn Resorts — closes operations in six jurisdictions, including Louisiana.

June 2, 2023: LSU terminates its partnership with Caesars amid college and university sportsbook sponsorship scrutiny.

March 17, 2023: Louisiana's sports betting handle falls 30% in February due to a lack of NFL action.

Feb. 20, 2023: Louisiana reports a record monthly sports betting handle to start 2023, hauling in $282.2 million in January.

Nov. 21, 2022: Sports betting in Louisiana hits a record high in October as the state records its largest handle — $255.5 million — to date.

Sept. 22, 2022: PointsBet launches in Louisiana, making it an even dozen states where U.S. players can access its online sportsbook. 

Sept. 7, 2022: Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held to inaugurate the opening of two new Louisiana Caesars retail sportsbooks: Caesars retail sportsbooks: Harrah's New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel & Casino.

July 11, 2022: Caesars announces the opening of a new sportsbook at Harrah's New Orleans this fall, in addition to an all-new World Series of Poker Room as part of a $325-million conversion of the space, soon to be renamed Caesars New Orleans.

April 25, 2022: BlueBet Holdings Ltd reaches a 10-year market access agreement with Louisiana Downs in Bossier City. BlueBet will operate a new online sportsbook in Louisiana under its U.S. brand, ClutchBet.

March 14, 2022: In its first full month with legal mobile wagering (February), Louisiana brought in a record $238 million in sports betting handle. Nearly 90% of that amount was due to online and mobile wagering. 

Feb. 14, 2022: Payments platform Paysafe begins processing mobile sports betting deposits in Louisiana.

Feb. 10, 2022: Fubo Gaming reveals it has gained market access for Fubo Sportsbook in Louisiana via Caesars Entertainment, Inc.

Feb. 9, 2022: WynnBET launches online operations in Louisiana. BetRivers Sportsbook becomes the official betting partner of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Jan. 28, 2022: Louisiana officially launches legal online and mobile sports betting in 55 parishes, with six operators going live.

Jan. 26, 2022: Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns announces that LA will launch online wagering on Jan. 28, 2022, in the 55 parishes that voted in favor of sports gambling.

Jan. 25, 2022: WynnBET announces its pre-registration offer is now live in Louisiana. Bettors can make a deposit of $10 — followed by a $10 wager when the sportsbook launches — to receive $250 in free bets.

Jan. 20, 2022: A Louisiana Gaming Control Board meeting concludes with no mention of a launch date for mobile sports betting.

Jan. 12, 2022: Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns tells Covers, "We are getting close to the rollout of mobile betting. I cannot give you a definitive date, but the Gaming Division at LA State Police is working overtime to get through the compliance and suitability issues with the vendors." Johns also highlights geofencing technology as something the state needs to perfect. Nine LA parishes chose not to approve sports betting in November 2020.

Jan. 5, 2022: Boyd Gaming announces plans to begin construction of a 47,000-square-foot replacement for Treasure Chest Casino. The new land-based project is expected to get underway this summer in Kenner, LA, with the hopes of opening its doors late in 2023.

Dec. 9, 2021: After soft launches a day earlier, FanDuel officially opens two retail sportsbooks in Louisiana casinos — Treasure Chest Casino and Delta Downs. Three more FanDuel locations are expected to open their doors in the coming weeks.

Nov. 16, 2021: Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns reiterates the state's focus on getting all 20 retail sportsbooks up and running in Louisiana. With eight locations operational and five licenses to be handed out in the coming weeks, LA will soon be left with seven properties that have yet to submit applications. Online and mobile sports betting will be next on the agenda.

Nov. 11, 2021: A ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the opening of the DraftKings Sportsbook at Golden Nugget Casino Lake Charles, while the Penn National Gaming run Sportsbook at L’Auberge opens its doors, too.

Nov. 8, 2021: DraftKings announces plans for a new retail sportsbook at Golden Nugget Casino Lake Charles, pending regulatory approvals. 

Oct. 31, 2021: Caesars Sportsbook goes live at Harrah's New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City Casino. The two retail locations are the first to offer legal sports betting at a Louisiana commercial casino.

Oct. 6, 2021: Louisiana sports betting is live as Paragon Casino Resort launches a Betfred Sportsbook — the first retail sportsbook in the state.

Sept. 30, 2021: WynnBET gained market access in Louisiana, which marked the 17th U.S. jurisdiction in which its platform has secured a footprint.

June 22, 2021: Gov. John Bel Edwards signs SB 142 and SB 247 into law. Edwards had signed a third piece of sports betting legislation, HB 697, on June 7.

May 2021: HB 697 and SB 247 move through the Senate. These bills outline sports betting tax rates — 10% and 15% on in-person and online bets, respectively — and the number of licenses (20) that will be made available.

Nov. 3, 2020: Voters in 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes agree to welcome sports betting into their communities.

May 14, 2018: SCOTUS (The Supreme Court of the United States) strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). This sets the stage for legal sports betting in the United States and allows individual states to set their own rules and regulations.

Is sports betting legal in Louisiana?

Yes, sports betting in Louisiana is legal and regulated. Voters in 55 out of 64 parishes supported a referendum to legalize Louisiana sports betting in November 2020.

In June 2021, Governor John Bel Edwards endorsed Senate Bill 247 and House Bill 697, establishing the official framework for regulating and taxing both land-based and online sports wagering in the state.

What sportsbooks are legal in Louisiana?

Louisiana is home to eight online sportsbooks in 2025, including FanDuel, Caesars BetMGM, and bet365.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board has approved the following online operators:

1. BetMGM - Best for banking
   
   
2. FanDuel - Best sportsbook
   
   
3. Caesars - Large bonus
   
   
4. bet365 - Live streaming
   
   
5. Fanatics Sportsbook - Flexible FanCash rewards
   
   
6. DraftKings - Intuitive menus
   
   
7. BetRivers - Best for new bettors
   
   
8. ESPN BET - Lots of markets

Legal sportsbooks in Louisiana

Editor's Note (Aug. 31, 2024): ClutchBet exited all U.S. markets and stopped accepting wagers on Sept. 16, 2024. We will continue to share pertinent updates as the situation unfolds. 

Mobile sports betting launched in Louisiana on Jan. 28, 2022. Several mobile sportsbook operators have already received a sports betting license and have tapped into the LA market, offering sign-up bonuses to state residents.

Online and mobile Louisiana sportsbooks

Land-based Louisiana sportsbooks

Retail sports betting locations are opening at a rapid pace throughout Southwest Louisiana, marking the state’s largest gaming expansion in decades.

Online sports betting: How does it work in Louisiana?

Louisiana has taken a unique approach to the legalization of sports betting. The Pelican State is the first U.S. state to allow its parishes (similar to counties) to decide the fate of the best sports betting sites in each of their communities.

Legal mobile wagering debuted on Jan. 28, 2022, and immediately saw six operators launch their respective mobile sportsbooks. Caesars Sportsbook was the first to take a bet — an $80 wager on the Cincinnati Bengals moneyline at +285 for a potential win of $228. The state's first retail sportsbook — Betfred Sports at Paragon Casino Resort — debuted on Oct. 6, 2021.

Expect to see up to 20 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks and 41 Louisiana sports betting sites. 

Interact with our U.S. legal tracker for updates on the states with legal sports betting and those on the path to legalized sports betting.

Latest Louisiana sports betting news

Who can bet on sports in Louisiana?

Sports betting is live in Louisiana, as the first retail and online sportsbooks have opened their physical and virtual doors to the public. Adults 21 and over are permitted to place legal sports bets in the Pelican State.

However, nine of the 64 parishes in Louisiana voted not to allow sports betting within their borders. Hence, both retail sports betting and mobile wagering remains illegal and licenses have been awarded in the following locations: Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, LaSalle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll, and Winn.

Here's a quick breakdown of everything you'll need to know before you place your first LA sports bet.

The pros and cons of Louisiana sports betting

Louisiana projects to be a highly competitive sports betting market — and this is great news for sports bettors. As Louisiana sportsbooks compete for your business, you’ll be offered plenty of sign-up bonuses as you prepare to place your first sports wagers in the Pelican State.

Now that online sports betting is available in Louisiana, the state is on the fast track to realizing its full potential.

Eight active online sportsbooks, with more expected

Betting on in-state college teams is permitted

Remote registration available

College prop bets are not allowed

Restricted esports betting

How to start betting in Louisiana

LA sports bettors can place wagers at home with Louisiana sports betting sites or visit brick-and-mortar locations to get in on the action in person. With remote registration in the cards, betting on sports in the Pelican State is as convenient as it is enjoyable.

What you can't bet on in Louisiana

Although Louisiana bettors are now permitted to legally place online wagers on sports, there are still numerous other types of events — such as esports — that remain off-limits.

NFL Draft

Louisiana was one of the few states where it was legal to bet on the 2024 NFL Draft, meaning that LA bettors will once again be able to wager on the 2025 draft. Check out our guide for how to bet on the NFL Draft in 2025. 

College sports

Louisianans can bet on any college game in the nation. While many other states have deemed in-state college teams off-limits, Louisiana will put no such limitations in place and bettors are free to wager on the LSU Tigers or any other local team. Unfortunately, Louisiana banned legal sportsbooks from offering college player prop betting markets on August 1, 2024.

Politics

Louisiana gamblers are not permitted to gamble on any political event. 

Entertainment award ceremonies

Louisianans are not expected to be able to bet on celebrity and pop-culture events, such as the Academy Awards.

esports

Esports betting sites are legal in Louisiana, but the virtual events available must meet the requirements set forth by eSports Integrity Commission (ESIC) and are approved on a case-by-case basis.  

Louisiana sports betting handle

Thirteen of Louisiana's 20 brick-and-mortar casinos have been formally authorized to open sportsbooks to accommodate in-person betting. 

The Paragon Casino Resort — owned by the state's Tunica-Biloxi Tribe — accepted the state's first legal retail wager. However, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board doesn't have regulatory control over tribal establishments. 

Louisiana's sports betting earnings will be documented here:

Yearly breakdown

Monthly handle

Home team advantage: Louisiana sports

Now that sports betting has fully arrived in the Pelican State, fans will be tempted to back their home team squads with their bankroll. The truth is, this could be a costly mistake.

Don’t let your hometown pride cloud your judgment, and always be sure to do your due diligence before betting on any team in any league.

Check out our how to bet guides for basic tips and advanced strategies.

NHL

Dallas Stars

Get live NHL odds

NBA

New Orleans Pelicans

Get live NBA odds

NFL

New Orleans Saints

Get live NFL odds

MLB

Houston Astros

Get live MLB odds

Although no scheduled fights are coming to the Bayou State, the best UFC betting sites and top boxing betting sites allow you to easily browse the markets and back fighters you can cheer on as passionately as your hometown teams.

Louisiana sports betting law

Louisiana ushered in legal sports betting, including retail and online wagering, courtesy of HB 697 in June 2021. Take a closer look at the highlights of Louisiana sports betting: 

• Customers must be at least 21 years of age.
  
  
• The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates land-based and online Louisiana sports betting.
  
  
• Up to 20 licenses to operate a sportsbook may be issued, and each licensee can acquire up to two providers or “skins.”
  
  
• Eight legal sportsbooks currently operate in Louisiana.
  
  
• College sports betting, including on in-state teams, is allowed in Louisiana.
  
  
• Wagering on esports is permitted under the legislation.
  
  
• Online betting revenue is taxed at 15%, with retail wagering revenue taxed at 10%.

Other types of gambling

The Pelican State has a rich gambling history that dates back to the 18th century. Today, you can find 15 riverboat casinos, four racetracks, and one land-based casino in Louisiana.

On Monday, July 11, 2022, Caesars announced the opening of a new sportsbook at Harrah's New Orleans, plus a new World Series of Poker Room. The upgrades to the existing space are part of a $325-million transformation, which will soon change its name to Caesars New Orleans.

While mobile sports wagering is no longer off-limits in Louisiana, there are still limitations when it comes to other forms of online gambling. Failing to adhere to any state rules concerning online gambling can lead to some severe penalties, so it’s best to stay away from unregulated offshore websites.

Quick facts: Louisiana sports betting

Louisiana's sports betting market is steadily growing and will eclipsed nearly $3.7 billion in total handle for 2024. 

Consult this table for the most crucial LA sports betting facts:

Responsible gaming in Louisiana

Legal U.S. sports betting markets

Louisiana isn't the first U.S. state to legalize and regulate sports betting. The following jurisdictions have also introduced sports gambling laws:

Recent legal U.S. sports betting launches

North Carolina sports betting went live on March 11, 2024, at 12 p.m., meaning users can access offers from several sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and bet365.

Legal Vermont sports betting kicked off the new year, launching online operations on Jan. 11, 2024, via FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics Sportsbook.

Maine sports betting was the next domino to fall, launching online sports betting within the state on Nov. 3, 2023, via DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook.

Kentucky sports betting launched into the legal landscape on Sept. 7, 2023, when retail operations went live. Online sports betting hit the Bluegrass State on Sept. 28, 2023. 

Potential legal U.S. sports betting markets

Numerous states moving toward legal sports betting have yet to get legislation across the finish line. These are the ones with the potential to offer legal sports gambling soon:

Louisiana sports betting history

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board facilitated legal Louisiana sports betting, currently encompassing eight of the best betting sites while allowing for as many as 20.

2023: Louisiana registers record handle to start 2023, with $282.2 million taken in wagers.

2022: Six betting sites came online on January 28 to kickstart legal online sports betting.

2021: Louisiana's first retail sportsbook — Betfred Sports at Paragon Casino Resort — opened on October 6.

2020: The November referendum sees voters from 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes approve legal Louisiana sports betting. 

2019: Efforts to legalize sports betting in Louisiana fall short on the last day of the legislative session despite strong support from advocates.

2018: The US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May.

List of Louisiana sports betting resources

Consult the following resources to gather further details about legal sports betting in Louisiana:

• Louisiana Gaming Control Board: Louisiana regulating authority
  
  
• Louisiana Problem Gamblers Help Line: 1-877-770-7867 (toll-free)
  
  
• Louisiana sports betting law: HB 697
  
  
• Louisiana sports wagering catalog: Rule and regulations reference guide

Louisiana sports betting conclusion

Louisiana sports betting is set to explode as the number of sites currently live sits at eight, with numerous more planning to launch. Louisiana sportsbooks do not come without their limitations — bettors cannot access college player props, e-sports, or online casino sites.

Between the launch of several retail sportsbooks and Lousiana betting sites, we expect the total handle to increase rapidly. Louisiana is a competitive and high-upside state that is just scratching the surface of its sports betting potential.