No American city lets the good times roll like New Orleans, and Louisiana's warm embrace of sports betting started at the state's casinos and racetracks and soon spread to the internet in 55 of its 64 parishes.
Disclaimer: For those outside of Louisiana, you may face restrictions on the offers you see on this page.
About Sports Betting in Louisiana
With apologies to Las Vegas, no American city lets the good times roll like New Orleans. The Mardi Gras spirit extends throughout the state of Louisiana, which has a rich history of riverboat gambling, horse racing, and, more recently, sports betting.
Louisiana's swift, warm embrace of sports wagering started at its casinos and racetracks and soon spread to the internet in 55 of 64 parishes. The state set an all-time monthly handle record of $413.5 million in November of 2024, a record that's sure to be shattered shortly after the LSU Tigers kick off their next football season.
Rage on, Cajuns. Laissez les bons temps rouler, indeed.
Up to 20 licenses issued, with first consideration given to the state's 16 casinos and four horse racetracks.
21+ age requirement.
Online betting revenue is taxed at a rate of 15%, while retail revenue is taxed at 10%.
Up to 40 mobile platforms are allowed, with each license holder granted two apiece.
Individual prop bets on college athletes aren't allowed, but wagering on in-state college games is permitted.
Nine of Louisiana's 64 parishes do not allow sports wagering within their boundaries.
Legalization Timeline
Voters in all but nine Louisiana parishes approve sport betting
November 3, 2020
Voters in 55 of 64 Louisiana parishes vote to allow sports betting in their boundaries. Most of the parishes that decided not to legalize betting are in the northern and central portions of the state.
Governor Edwards signs sports betting into law
June 22, 2021
Gov. John Bel Edwards signs two pieces of legislation into law that affirm voters' decision to legalize retail and mobile sports betting in Louisiana. Brick-and-mortar betting is henceforth set to precede its online sibling.
Paragon Casino Resort accepts state's first sports wager
October 6, 2021
The Betfred Sportsbook at Marksville's Paragon Casino Resort, which is owned and operated by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, accepts the state's first in-person sports wager. On Halloween, two Caesars locations – one in New Orleans and another in Bossier City – would become the first commercial casinos to accept sports wagers.
Mobile betting launches in Louisiana
January 28, 2022
Six operators go live with online sports betting in the 55 parishes where it's allowed.
Prop bets on college players banned statewide
April 3, 2024
Louisiana joins dozens of other states in banning prop betting on college players in hopes of better protecting them from online harassment by losing bettors.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Louisiana?
It is legal to bet on sports both online and in person in the state of Louisiana.
Who can bet on sports in Louisiana?
Bettors who are 21 and older can bet within the boundaries of Louisiana as long as they're not physically located in the following nine parishes: Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, La Salle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll, and Winn. These parishes voted not to allow sports betting within their boundaries, but the other 55 declared it fair game.
Who regulates sports betting in Louisiana?
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) regulates sports wagering in the state.
What can I bet on in Louisiana?
The LGCB has approved the following sports and events for wagering in Louisiana: football, Australian Rules Football, badminton, baseball, softball, basketball, pool, boxing, bowling, rodeo, cricket, cycling, darts, Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, golf, handball, hockey, lacrosse, lawn bowling, MMA, Olympics, auto racing, rowing, rugby, sailing, soccer, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, esports, cornhole, skateboarding, water polo, field hockey, Gaelic Football, Gaelic Hurling, surfing, and jai alai.
What can't I bet on in Louisiana?
Prop bets on individual college athletes are not allowed in Louisiana, and if you're physically located in any of the aforementioned nine parishes that opted not to legalize sports betting, keep driving.
Is DFS legal in Louisiana?
Daily fantasy sports contests are legal in 47 of Louisiana's 64 parishes, as determined by voters in each individual parish. Most of the parishes that decided not to legalize DFS are in the northern and central portions of the state.
Is it legal to bet on horse racing in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a long, proud history of hosting horse races and the wagering that tends to accompany them. The state's active racetracks are Fair Grounds, Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, and Louisiana Downs, and there are numerous off-track betting parlors at which to bet on simulcast races. The same can be done online through account wagering with the likes of TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, and Xpressbet.
.png)
