Louisiana Sports Betting

Louisiana sports betting regulation is a done deal, now just the roll-out of the process needs to be completed.

Editor Note: Online betting in Louisiana went live Ja. 29, 2022, just in time for NFL Championship weekend with Draft Kings and FanDuel offering terrific signup bonus specials for Louisiana residents.

Editor Note: Retail betting was scheduled to launch Nov. 1, 2021, with online wagering rolling out thereafter.

Voters approved sports betting in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes.

After making headway in 2019, the measure got the required votes in the federal election within the state’s parishes.

Earlier versions of the proposal were passed by the Louisiana senate in 2019. They envisioned sports betting being permitted on a riverboat or existing casino, if those operations applied successfully.

Taxation rates, rules and the function of mobile betting were all to be worked through, but it seems like Louisiana is well on its way to offering sports wagering by 2021.

Is sports betting legal in Louisiana?

Yes, it became reality in 2020 and went live for mobile wagering in early 2022. Voters in Louisiana parishes approved the measure. Given the state’s long and storied history with gambling, it was always hard to imagine why they would turn down expansion in sports betting which has already been happening there for decades.

Where can I bet at Louisiana sportsbooks?

Online sportsbooks went live Jan. 29, 2022 with NFP sponsors (and official NFL betting partners) FanDuel and Draft Kings at the front off the line with Louisiana special offers.

Current casinos (state and Native), riverboats and race tracks would be eligible to be considered for sports betting, if earlier language carries through to the Nov. 2020 vote. There are almost 30 of them in Louisiana and include:

What about mobile sports betting apps in Louisiana?

Mobile sports betting for Louisiana had been discussed in earlier bills but “shall be placed only in the gaming area of the riverboat, eligible facility, or official gaming establishment as determined by the board.”

But with the approval of state regulators, online betting went live in early 2022.

The legal gambling age in Louisiana is 18 for lotteries and horse betting, but 21 for casino games. Most expect the legal sports betting age will mimic the casino provision of 21.

Who is allowed to offer Louisiana sports betting?

If the bill proceeds as expected, the aforementioned existing gambling establishments will be eligible.

Who regulates or licenses Louisiana sports betting?

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board is expected to be the regulatory and licensing body. Early 2020 saw Louisiana Bill SB 66 that would put the issue to a vote in November 2020.

What sports will be favorites of Louisiana sports bettors?

Louisiana’s sports scene focuses mostly on football, with two particular teams attracting the most rabid reaction from Louisiana sports bettors. In the NFL, the beloved New Orleans Saints are a national betting force and in college football the LSU Tigers are always a national contender.

The Tigers are joined by four other Louisiana-based FBS football programs. They include the Tulane Green Wave in the American Athletic Conference and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs of Conference USA. The Sun Belt Conference features both the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns and the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.

College basketball is also huge in the state with two Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) teams in the Southern Jaguars and Grambling State Tigers and five teams in the Southland Conference: McNeese State Cowboys, New Orleans Privateers, Nicholls State Colonels, Northwestern State Demons and Southeastern Louisiana Lions.

The state also features the NBA, currently the New Orleans Pelicans and their exciting young roster including Zion Williamson. The team formerly had the Hornets and Jazz, who departed years ago for Salt Lake City.