Despite basketball's popularity in Louisiana, baseball bets were a big revenue generator.
Key takeaways
- Revenue climbed after a disappointing March.
- Promotional spending increased, for the time being.
- Baseball wagers won the books historically high revenue.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board announced state operators enjoyed $343.7 million in bets last month, down 11% from March.
Sportsbooks shouldn’t be too dissatisfied with the decline for a few reasons. The main one is revenue rebounded from March’s unusual low hold. April's hold percentage was over 11%, very industry-friendly, and brought net proceeds up to $37.2 million, a 40% month-over-month spike.
So far in 2025, yearly revenue is inconsistent. Online sportsbooks, which account for the vast majority of action in Louisiana, saw lower April numbers than March, but by just 0.4%. However, this is the second straight month year-over-year revenue declined. Brick-and-mortar locations are also hurting with an 11% drop in yearly profit and 10% decline in wagers over that same time.
Bettors are also enjoying the increase in promotional dollars books are spending. In the past three months, promotional deductions totaled $12.4 million. In the same period in 2024, promos came to just $8.2 million. But those good times may be ending.
Louisiana’s House of Representatives passed HB 639, which would increase the tax rate on sportsbooks to 21.5% (versus the current 15% rate). The bill still needs to pass the Senate and have the governor sign it before becoming law. If it does, sportsbooks will certainly revisit their promotional budgets.
Baseball bets big winners
In Louisiana, and probably throughout the U.S., during the two full months where baseball and basketball seasons overlap, hoops is the bigger revenue driver. But in April, with the New Orleans Pelicans out of the playoffs, Louisiana bettors turned the tables.
The $3.1 million mobile operators won last month was the NBA season's lowest and the second lowest for retail operators. Baseball on the other hand, was not only the highest this season but for online books, the most profitable month since September 2023.
Here's the breakdown of the how much mobile sportsbooks won by category:
| Market | Mobile Revenue |
|---|---|
| Parlay | $25.2 million |
| Basketball | $3.1 million |
| Baseball | $2.8 million |
| Soccer | $787,000 |
| Football | $ 143,000 |
| Other | $5.4 million |
