In this guide to Louisiana sports betting, we'll detail everything there is to know about gambling in the state. Though hardly a contemporary phenomenon, sports betting has only recently been thrust in the consciousness of locals, witšŸŽh Louisiana becoming one of over 30 to fully legalize the activity. For more on this, explore our in-depth article beā™’low!

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Following the dissolution of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, multiple US states went ahead with legalizing sports gambling. Louisiana did so in November 2020, after 55 of the 64 stateā€™s parishes approved a ballot measureš•“ to allow sports wagering.

Itā€™s worth noting that the nine local parishes that voted against the legalization of sports betting are located in the northeast, where none of the stateā€™s 20 casinos/šŸ”„racetracks are based.

Sports bettišŸ’›ng was officially legalized in the state in June 2021 after Governor John Bel Edwards signed three bills into motion. The first retail betting stores opened in October 2021, while online sports betting debuted in January 2022.

Present & Future of Sports Betting in Louisiana

Louisianaā€™s first full year of legal sports betting was full of promise, but there has been a minor šŸŽƒdip after a record-breaking January 2022, which garnered a handle of $282.2m. This decreased by 30% in February, topping out at $197.7m ā€“ the lowest monthly total since August 2022.

However, thereā€™s no reason to be concerned with the recent dip, as Lā€ouisianaā€™s decline is consistent with the rest of the US.

ā™  In its first full year after going live, Louisiana bettors wagered $1.8bn, while the state earned $26.5m in taxes. At the end of October 2022, Louisiana casinos and sportsbooks were reported to have made over $35.8m in revenue from sporš’ƒts betting. Mobile apps earned around $152m during their first ten months and paid $22.8m.

While sportsbooks incurred heavy ā›„losses following their launch, the state of Louisiana has undoubtedly benefitted finašŸŽ¶ncially from the legalization of sports betting.

Here are some of the main pointsź¦‰ regarding sports betting revenue and taxation in the state of Louisiana.

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    20 sports betting licenses are available for existing rešŸ‰tail gambling facilities.

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    Each licensee is allowed to have two ā™“online skins.

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    10% retail sports betting tax rate.

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    15% tax rate for online sports betting.

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    Initial license applications cost $250,000.

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    A five-year license costs $500,000.

Comparison of Top Sportsbooks

1. DraftKings

DraftKings Louisiana Screenshot
(Source: DraftKings)

DraftKings was one of the first major sportsbooks to open for business in Louisiana following the legalisation of sports bettišŸ’¦ng in June 2021. DraftKings opened their doors in the Bayou State five months later as one of six inaugural sportsbooks.

šŸØ Tš“”he platform is viewed as a sports betting behemoth in the country, available in 21 states ā€“ more than any other major US bookie.

Once an established fantasy sports platform, DraftKings has since developed into an excellent bookmaker – one which is hard to fault. Their website is of the highest quality, with punters treated to the most competitive odds and an impressive sportsbook which attempts to cover all bases.

 Their coverage of leading leagues, such as the NBA and NFL, is very good. The operator appreciates inclusivity and tries to ensure a variety of sports are covered when it comes to their promotions. New customers, meanwhile, are gifted a $50 bonus bet after making their first deposit with the bookmaker. They alš’ƒso run a $1,000 matching first deposit bonus which LoušŸ’isiana bettors can take advantage of.

2. BetMGM

BetMGM Louisiana Screenshot
(Source: BetMGM)

The sportsbook wing of the MGM Resorts empire, BetMGM was launched alongside DraftKings in tܫhe first wave of online sportsbooks to go live in Louisiana.

BetMGM has raised the standards of ą± the gambling industry since its establishment, providing a superb experience for its users and rewarding their VIPs with once-išŸŒŗn-a-lifetime experiences.

The bookieā€™s sportsbook is comprehensive and, on the whole, thereā€™s something for everybody to enjoy. Theyā€™re beginning to offer more on the promotions front, and bettors from LoušŸ™ˆisiana can make the most of their new customer promotions which gifts them $1,000 paid back in bonus bets, shź©µould their first bet with the bookie end in a loss.

 This offer is laden with value, and punters will then bešŸ’« able to access the most competitive odds and impressive array of markets ļ·½in the American market.

3. FanDuel

FanDuel Louisiana Screenshot
(Source: FanDuel)

FanDuel launched in Louisiana at the start of 2022 and is currently available in 19 states. While still šŸ“an excellent provider of fantasy sports, in particularly fantasy football, the site has also blossomed into one of Americaā€™s most popular bookmakers.

Innovative promotions are crucial to FanDuelā€™s popularity, and Louisiana bettors can also take advantage of the No-Sweat First Bet new customer offer in whią½§ch they can earn up to $1,000 in bonus bets after signing up.

Thereā€™s plenty to get stuck into on both the desktop offering and the app, with the supreme functionality of allowing for a user-friendly experience. Overall, itā€™s no surprise that FanšŸ°Duel is considered by many to be the countryā€™s leading bookie. Its evolution really is impressive.

DraftKings

America's most popular sportsbook is accompanied by a brilliant mobile app, which is aš“„§vailable to Louisiana punters and anybody else residing in the 22 states where DraftKings operates. Many have lauded the app'š„¹s functionality in particular, along with its high-quality features. Fantasy football lovers are particular admirers.

BetMGM

BetMGMā€™s mobile app launched in Louisiana after its sportsbook opened its doors in Januaą¹Šry 2022. Having launched just in time for the NFL playoffs, many welcomed the operator with open arms, with special appreciation for their user-friendly and varied sportsbook. In December 2021, BetMGM then released its separate horse racing betting app, giving fans of this highly popular equine sport a dedicated tool of their own.

FanDuel

Like its website, FanDuešŸ·lā€™s mobile app, which is compatible with pretty much evšŸŒŸery platform, is a whole lot of fun to use. Thereā€™s nothing you can do on the desktop version that you canā€™t on the mobile product, with access to top features such as Odds Boosts and Same Game Parlays.

Here are sošŸ¤Ŗme of the most common sports betting promotions offered by bookmakers licensed in Louisiana:

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    FanDuel Deposit Bonus

Those that sign up with FanDuel inš„¹ Louisiana are entitled to a tasty reward after placing their first bet. The bookie's welcome offer is a $150 deposit bonus following a new customerā€™s first stake of at least $5.

To qualify for this promotion, you need tš”‰o deposit at least $10 before placing your bet, and you'll earn the $150 no matter whether your qualifying bet wins or losesšŸ…·.

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    BetMGM up to $1,000 Paid Back

BetMGMā€™s welcome offer for Louisianians is incredibly generous, with į€£the potential to win $1,000 in bonuses. Therš’†™eā€™s nothing but value here!

šŸ’› To qualify for this promotion, simply create an account anļ·½d deposit a minimum of $10. Place their qualifying bet on absolutely anything, and you'll receive your stake back (up to $1,000) if it loses. However, it's important to note that youā€™ll receive your money back in bonus bets, not as cash, so there is an element of risk at play.

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    DraftKings Instant Bonus

šŸŒ¼ Fancy the opportunity of making some quick cash? Well, just sign up to DraftKings and youā€™ll almost instantly earn yourself $50 in bonus bets after you make your first depositš“ƒ² of at least $5.

DraftKingsā€™ superb welcome offer also includes a $1,000 play through bonus, which means you will earn a 20% deposit bonus up to $1,000. So, let's say you deposit $100 – DraftKings will then add another $20 to your account.

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    DraftKings NFL Bonus

DraftKingsā€™ NFL bonus will be very handy once the season rolls around in September. This offer is a generous sport-specific promotion that rewaršŸŒ³ds you with $200 in bonuses, which in turn can be used on any NFL marketš’†™ after you place their first $5 bet.

šŸ¦„ Here are some of the most popular types of wagers that Louisiana bettors make on a variety of sports.

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    Moneyline Bets

Moneyline betting is simple. With thšŸŒ³is type of bet, youā€™re backing a team to win the match.

So, if you place this kind of bet on the New Orleans Saints to beat the Carolina Panthers, the Saints must win the contešŸ’›st for your bet to win. Your bet loses if the Ravens win or if they tie.

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    Points Spread

Spread betting is very popular among American bettors due to the lack of value thatā€™s typically associated with moneyline betting. Due to the high-scoring nature of sports like football anź¦d basketball, thereā€™s less scope for variance, and itā€™s less likely for an underdog to win.

Spread betting, however, attemptā€s to even the score and create more value.

The point spread is the number of points that a team must win by for the bet to pay out. TšŸƒhe favorite will have a ā€˜-ā€˜ next to their points spread, while the underdog will have a ā€˜+ā€™.

So, letā€™s say the spread is: New Orleans Saints (-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (+7). This means that if you backed the Saints, they must win by more than two points for your bet to be successful.

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    Over/Under Betting

There are many over/under bettš“„§ing markets, but the most common is betting on how many points will be scored in a particular game. With this bet, the end result doesnā€™t matter.

The bookmaker will set a šŸ’line, and you must decide wšŸ”Æhether to bet over or under the given line.

 For example, the bookie might set the line for NFL match-up between the Saints and Panthers at 41.5. So, 42 or more points will have to be scored for the over bet to ą½§win. Anything less and the under wins.

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    Parlays

Everybody loves a parlay, right? Itā€™s where the dreamers come to play.

These bets are tough to pull off as you need multiple selections to ą± come in to ensure your bet is a success. Just one failed selection, and youšŸ—¹r entire bet collapses.

A parlay bet constź¦«itutes of two or more singles bets which are combined into šŸ’ƒone big bet. The unlikelihood of them coming off means you are often treated to big returns should you conjure up a winning bet.

You can include multź§…iple markets and events in a parlay bet, although Same į€£Game Parlays are growing in popularity.

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    Prop Bets

Proposition bets, or ā€˜propā€™ bets as theyā€™re moršŸ¦©e commonly known, are, in essence, side wagers that do not affect the gameā€™s š”‰final outcome.

The vast majority of markets offered by bookmakers on a single game can be considered prop bets. Point spread, moneyline and total pointį©šį©šį©šį©šį©šį©šā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤į©šā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤į©šā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤į©šš’€±į©šį©šį©šs, however, arenā€™t.

Prop bets typically involve player stats. For example, you might fancy Derek Carr to throw over a certain number of yards in one game, or for Chris Olave to catch ļ·ŗover a certain number of balls.

However, bookies will also offer game props such as ā€˜which team will score first?ā€™ and novelty props such as ā€˜who will win the coin toss?ā€™. The possibilities šŸ’§are endless!

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    Futures Bets

Futures bets require plenty of patience as theyā€™re long-term bets. If youā€™re looking fošŸŽr a quick buck, this isnā€™t the route to go down.

With these bets, youā€™re banking on something to occur in the future. For example, you might fancy the New Orleans Saints tošŸ“– win an unlikelā™‹y Super Bowl before the season gets underway. Perhaps Derek Carr is in line for his first MVP award? Such bets are common in pre-season as this is where the most value can be extracted.

Louisiana simpā™‹ly isnā€™t a major sporting state, but its biggest city, New Orleans, possesses fervent supporters of two major franchises: the Saints (šŸƒNFL) and Pelicans (NBA).

The Saints enjoyed their fair share of success with Drewā›„ Brees at quarterback, winning the Super Bowl in 2010, which ļ·ŗemerged as one of the heartfelt stories in American sports in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Brees, along with Sean Payton, helped New Orleanians believe again.

FranchiseSportFoundedOdds
New Orleans SaintsFootball1967Win Super Bowl LVIII +3500
New Orleans PelicansBasketball1988Win NBA Finals N/A
Louisiana State UniversityCollege football1893Win National Championship N/A

Letā€™s take a look at a list of significant sporting events that Louisiana sports fans might fancy betting on this yeš’ar:

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    3rd September ā€“ Louisiana State Uniā™versityā€™s NCAA regular season starts

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    10th September ā€“ New Orleans Saintsā€™ home opź¦°ener against Tennessee Titans

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    Mid-October ā€“ 2024/25 NBA regular season starts

Louisiana bettšŸ„€ors can bet on pretty much everything, but there are some restrictions. For example, some esports events arā™›e not available due to some of the competitors being younger than 18. The state has also banned wagering on high school and youth sports.

Moreover, itā€™s worth noting that nine of the stateā€™s 64 paršŸ¦‹ishes do not offer legal sports gambling.

ļ·½ Hereā€™s a history of sports betting inšŸ˜¼ Louisiana:

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    May 2018 ā€“ US Supreme Court overturns PASPA.

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    2019 ā€“ Senator Danny Murphy begins to push sports betting legislationā™‰ (SB153).

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    November 2020 ā€“ Refź¦šerendum passed by Louisiana voters that legalized sports betting in the state.

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    June 2021 ā€“ GošŸ…°vernor John Bel Edwards signs SB247 into law, which legalizes sports betting.

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    October 2021 ā€“ Retails sports betting officially launches.

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    January 2022 ā€“ Mobile sports betting officially launches.

Changes to federal law has faāœ¤cilitated the legalization of sports gambling in over 30 states to some degree, and Louisiana is šŸ¦©currently one of those.

This guide has detailed everything there is to know about sports betting in Louisiana. While notš“† a state revered for its sport, Louisiana is blessed with a couple of major institutions, and the leniency oź¦¬f their betting laws mean thereā€™s plenty for punters residing in the state to get stuck into.

  1. 1.

    The Daily Advertiser. (n.d.). In first year of sports betting, Louisiana made $26.5M, Mattress Mack won $75M. [online] Available at: //eu.theadšŸøvertiser.com/story/money/businā™ess/2023/01/12/louisiana-brings-in-26-5-million-in-first-year-of-legal-sports-bets/69796159007/ [Accessed 11 May 2023].

  2. 2.

    lgcb.dps.louisiana.gov. (n.d.). Louisiana Gaming Control BoardšŸ¦©. [online] Available aź¦œt: //lgcb.dps.louisiana.gov/ [Accessed 11 May 2023].

Sports betting was legalized in Louisiana in June 2021 with the first retail sportsbook opening OšŸ‰ctober 2021. Online sports betting debuted in January 2022.

At the time of writing, there are eight online sportsbookā™›s in operation.

DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel are the best spš’ˆ”ortsbooks available in Louisiana.

PuntešŸŽƒrs can bet on college events, including in-state teams.

There arenā€™t toošŸø many professional franchises in the state. The New Orleans Saints (NFL) and New Orleans Pelicans (NBA) are the only two. LoušŸ’¦isiana State University is also a major sporting institution.

Big sports šŸ’fan specialising in football. Experienced the lows of Vlad Chiriches and Tim Sherwood as a Spurs fan ašŸ¼long with the more recent ā€˜successā€™ under Pochettino. My following of the New England Patriots since 2012 somewhat makes up for the lack of silverware produced by Spurs in my lifetime.

Further reading

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