Legal sports betting in Louisiana has been around for decades, and the markets expanded when the Louisiana Gaming Control Board taxed local sportsbooks in October 2021. Mobile sports betting apps, retail operations, and online sportsbooks accepting Louisiana residents are active and legal for residents and tourists. With betting regulated by Louisiana, the options are limited to only 55 parishes, but those in all 64 parishes of Louisiana can bet on sports online at legal sports betting sites.
State of Louisiana Sports Betting Overview
Several local casinos in Louisiana offer sports betting. These can be found in cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Bossier City. While online sports betting makes anywhere in Louisiana the closest place to bet on sports, those looking for physical locations to bet on their favorite sports teams will not struggle to find options across Louisiana. There are four live retail sportsbooks, with more planning to launch over time.
State of Louisiana Sports Betting Timeline
Dec. 20, 2023 — Louisiana sports betting handle rose to $356.4 million in November, a new record high for the state. November’s total was a 15% increase from the previous high set in October.
Dec. 18, 2023 — Gaming officials in Louisiana are hoping that the new Live! Casino in Shreveport will attract Texans to the region again.
Nov. 28, 2023 — Louisiana sports betting handle rose to $308.6 million in October, a new record for the state. October’s handle was up 21% year-over-year and 9.3% over the previous record high in January 2023.
Nov. 21, 2023 — Bet365 launched in Louisiana. There are now eight sports betting apps available in the state.
Nov. 14, 2023 — ESPN Bet officially launched in Louisiana. ESPN replaces Barstool Sportsbook.
Oct. 25, 2023 — Diamond Jacks’ floating casino in Shreveport/Bossier City will become a land-based facility in 2025.
Oct. 24, 2023 — Louisiana sports betting handle jumped to $280 million in September, an 81.9% increase from August and a 37.3% increase year-over-year.
10/10/22 – Louisiana had its first month of mobile betting during the NFL season, and their September money bet was up by 61.8% from August and saw a $207.5 million total bet.
6/30/2022 – Louisiana passed a bill allowing the state to seize unclaimed sports betting winnings.
1/28/2022 – Louisiana’s sportsbooks launch online.
11/1/2021 – Louisiana’s retail sportsbooks are officially open for business.
8/20/2021 – Louisiana approves temporary emergency sports betting rules that will be in effect for 180 days.
6/23/2021 – Gov. John Bel Edwards signs SB 247 and SB 142, which combine to regulate and fund sports betting in Louisiana.
6/10/2021 – Louisiana’s state legislature has put SB 247 and SB 142 on the desk of Gov. John Bel Edwards. If he signs them, sports betting will begin the regulation process in LA.
6/4/2021 – The Louisiana House of Representatives passed SB 247, which would regulate sports betting, by a vote of 78-15.
5/26/2021 – SB 247 has reached the floor of the House, where it will be debated upon and then put to a vote. This vote will decide the regulations for sports betting in LA.
5/20/2021 – SB 247, which would provide the framework for sports betting regulation in LA, passed the Senate with a vote of 31-7. The House and Governor still must approve it.
11/4/2020 – Louisiana parishes voted individually on whether or not they wanted sports betting. 55 of the 64 parishes voted for sports betting. The issue of regulations is now sent to the State Legislature.
6/13/2020 – Gov. John Bel Edwards signed SB 130, which puts sports betting on the November ballot. Parishes will vote individually for whether or not they want to have access to sports betting.
5/28/2020 – SB 130, which puts the issue of sports betting on the November ballot, has reached the desk of Gov. John Bel Edwards after passing the House.
5/13/2020 – The Louisiana State Senate has passed SB 130, a bill that would send the issue of sports betting to individual parish votes in November 2020.
5/5/2020 – Louisiana might be planning to pass sports betting via a referendum. SB 130, a bill that would put it to a statewide vote, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and will now be voted on by the whole Senate.
Louisiana voted for sports betting in 2020, and following the approval, the state legislation curated three bills to create the sports betting market. These bills being SB 142, the appropriations bill; SB 247, the regulatory bill, and HB 697, the tax bill. All three bills have passed in the Louisiana legislation and been signed by Governor John Bel Edwards.
LA Rev Stat 14:90 fully explains how gambling works in Louisiana. Operations only have access to the 55 parishes that voted in favor of regulating sports betting. The remaining parishes will be geofenced from offering sports betting. Players must be 21 or older to bet on sports or wager at casinos. Local casinos can offer electronic versions of games like craps and roulette or any other Class-III gaming.
HB 834, Act 510 classifies sports betting funds as property. After three years, the state can claim unclaimed betting funds to the unclaimed property fund. The law was signed in 2022 and allows Louisiana to claim the funds from deceased sports bettors quickly, giving the state time to find family members of the deceased and send the funds to them.