Louisiana

Whether it’s professional or collegiate sports, Louisiana has no shortage of teams. Since sports betting was passed in the state in January 2022, residents can wager on these teams across eight well-known mobile betting apps.

Louisiana has an excellent mix of professional and college teams throughout the state, and bettors have no restrictions on wagering on those teams. Residents are fully allowed to place bets on in-state colleges, and they also have access to some of the top daily fantasy sports apps on the market.

Horse racing was legal in the state long before the sports betting bill was introduced, so betting on it is legal in LA. The two biggest things that residents cannot wager on are politics and eSports.

Online sports betting in The Pelican State

The state of Louisiana is divided into parishes, and in November 2020, when the sports betting bill was introduced for them to vote on, 55 of the 64 parishes voted for legalization. Technically, the state only needed one parish to say yes for the bill to be passed, but in this case, the more, the merrier.

After the vote, Governor John Bel Edwards officially signed three sports betting-related bills in June 2021, opening the door for retail betting to launch in October. The only places sports betting would not be authorized in the state would be in the nine parishes that voted against the bills.

The online sports betting market in Louisiana has not even begun to reach its full potential. Under the state's sports betting bill, 40 online sportsbooks are legally allowed to enter the market. Right now, there are just eight, but that list includes the biggest names in the market, including DraftKings, Caesars, BetRivers, FanDuel, and more.

Each online operator is partnered with one of the 20 retail locations available in the state, as each retail location is legally allowed to partner with two online skins. In addition to the retail locations, the Louisiana Lottery is also legally allowed to partner with an online operator, which would expand sports betting even more.

Growth in the online market is expected to continue. Still, it will likely be a slower process, as the state only welcomed two new operators to the market in 2023, after the six other operators have been a part of the betting scene since the launch in January 2022. Between the sheer number of retail locations and sports franchises in the state, Louisiana should be a favorable market location for operators to expand their reach.

All legal LA sports betting apps in 2025 (from newest to oldest):

Recently Closed Online Sportsbooks

Sports betting & gambling legislation in LA

While sports betting is legal in Louisiana, residents still need to follow the rules and regulations. For example, a resident must be at least 21 to place a legal wager in the state. Additionally, customers have the option for remote registration in LA, but they must be within the state line to play a wager on those mobile apps. In Louisiana, it is also important to remember that bettors must be within the 55 parishes that approve sports betting, as nine parishes in the state still oppose the bill.

All retail and online sportsbooks must follow the guidelines set by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, as they reward licenses and ensure each operator abides by the regulations laid out in the sports betting bill.

Since most people's purpose or goal in sports betting is to win, it is also essential to highlight the tax rate. On all winnings above $600, the state will withhold 4.25%, which is the highest individual state income tax rate. This is in addition to the federal tax rate of 24%.

Online casinos and online poker remain illegal in the state, but there does not seem to be a strong push to legalize them at the moment. However, given the success of sports betting, there is always a chance a bill regarding online casinos will make its way onto the ballot at some point. With those two markets still unavailable, the only other gambling-related market offered down in the Bayou is the lottery.

Tarot and Touchdowns: How New Orleans Bettors Seek Spiritual Betting Edges

In a city where mysticism coexists with music and moonlight, it’s no surprise that some New Orleans sports bettors are turning to tarot cards instead of stat sheets. On Bourbon Street, nestled between jazz bars and regular bars, psychic readers offer more than just love advice; they quietly cater to a niche clientele of gamblers looking to do anything for a winner. 

Rumor has it that a few high-stakes locals won’t place a Sunday NFL parlay without first consulting their “spiritual advisor.” One psychic, going by the name of Madame Laveau, in honor of Marie Laveau, claims she can feel "energy shifts" tied to the Saints' offense. Whether it’s moon phases, card spreads, or palm lines, these bettors are paying for more than just predictions; they’re buying confidence in their picks. 

Is it effective? Well, it’s challenging to quantify these types of “handicapping” strategies. Most experts would argue it's no better than flipping a coin, and it can be significantly more expensive. Gamblers are no strangers to going to the ends of the Earth for an edge, and while it may make more sense to find an edge in EPA per play, this is not the craziest thing gamblers have done to “guarantee” a winning bet.

Why swamp boat races could drive the next wave of Louisiana betting

Deep in the Louisiana bayous, where gator-filled waters flow through thick cypress groves, swamp boat races have become a thrilling local spectacle. These high-speed events feature fearless captains racing against each other in a test of skill, craft, and machine power. But the question is whether this underground sport could evolve into a fully regulated betting market.

With the rise of alternative sports betting, betting on swamp boat races could attract both locals and tourists eager for a unique, heart-pumping gambling experience. Factors like boat modifications, conditions of the water, and driver experience could help formulate dynamic odds, much like horse racing or NASCAR.

Regulation would be the biggest challenge in getting something like this into the hands of bettors, as Louisiana’s strict gambling laws would need modifications to accommodate such a niche sport.

Most recent updates from the LA betting & gambling scenes

• April 15, 2025: With Derek Carr potentially missing the season with a shoulder injury, the New Orleans Saints are (-150) to select a quarterback with their first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

• April 7, 2025: Louisiana's SB 181 aims to outlaw sweepstakes gambling by targeting games using dual-currency systems that mimic real gambling. The bill would ban online casino-style sweeps and hold not just operators but also tech providers, promoters, and affiliates accountable.

• March 6, 2025: With postseason basketball underway, the LSU Tigers women's basketball team is (+3000) to win the National Championship.

• February 10, 2025: Eagles' offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has reportedly been named the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have opened at (+15,000) to win the 2025-26 Super Bowl.

• January 31, 2025: With the season entering February, the New Orleans Pelicans have the third-best odds to receive the #1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft at (+550) on DraftKings.

• January 21, 2025: LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has opened as the favorite to win the 2025-26 Heisman Trophy at (+900) on FanDuel.

• January 14, 2025: College baseball season is right around the corner, and the LSU Tigers are (+1100) to win the National Championship and (+700) to win the SEC Regular Season title on BetRivers.

• December 30, 2024: To close out their 2024 season, the New Orleans Saints will head on the road to Tampa Bay where they are (+14) point underdogs.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

Louisiana’s retail betting scene varies somewhat from other states that have legalized sports betting. The state features 20 retail locations, which include 15 riverboat casinos, one land-based casino, and four racetracks.

All of these locations are within the 55 parishes that agreed to the state’s sports betting bill, and thanks to that bill, each has the option to partner with two online operators.

• Amelia Belle (500 Lake Palourde Road, Amelia)

• Bally's Shreveport (451 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport)

• Boomtown Bossier City (300 Riverside Drive, Bossier City)

• Boomtown New Orleans (4132 Peters Road, Harvey)

• Coushatta Casino (777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder)

• Delta Downs (2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton)

• Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino (2235 Creswell Lane Extension, Opelousas)

• Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots (1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans)

• Golden Nugget Lake Charles (2550 Golden Nugget Blvd, Lake Charles)

• Harrah’s New Orleans (228 Poydras Street, New Orleans)

• Horseshoe Bossier City (711 Horseshoe Boulevard, Bossier City)

• Horseshoe Casino Lake Charles (100 Westlake Ave, Westlake)

• L’Auberge Casino Lake Charles (777 Ave L’Auberge, Lake Charles)

• L’Auberge Casino Baton Rouge (777 L’Auberge Ave, Baton Rouge)

• Louisiana Downs (8000 East Texas Street, Bossier City)

• Margaritaville Resort Casino (777 Margaritaville Way, Bossier City)

• Paragon Casino Resort (711 Paragon Place, Marksville)

• The Queen Baton Rouge (1717 River Rd, Baton Rouge)

• Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino Shreveport (315 Clyde Fant Pkwy, Shreveport)

• Treasure Chest Casino (5050 Williams Boulevard, Kenner)

Could a hidden treasure casino be built on a legendary Louisiana pirate site?

Louisiana’s bayous are steeped in legends of Jean Lafitte, the notorious pirate who supposedly buried vast treasures along the Gulf Coast. While historians argue over the existence of his hidden gold, the concept of a pirate-themed casino at a legendary Lafitte location could be an irresistible tourism location for both gamblers and history enthusiasts.

The concept could include a floating casino deep in the bayou, designed like a pirate hideout, featuring wooden decks, gaming halls, and pirate-themed slot machines. Visitors can place bets while surrounded by swampy waters, learn about the history of Lafitte’s exploits, or enjoy a different type of getaway.

From New Orleans to Barataria Bay, Louisiana fully leans into its deep pirate history. A Lafitte-inspired casino could combine gambling, unique tourism, and local history, creating a highly immersive experience. Of course, for as great as these ideas can be, there is always the factor of legal concerns and zoning considerations.

Sports betting in neighboring states

Louisiana has three border states, two of which have legalized sports betting, and the other being Texas. Both Arkansas and Mississippi have been able to pass a sports betting bill, while Texas remains one of the biggest states not to offer any sort of legal sports betting.

To find out more about why Texas remains on the “no” list for sports betting legislation or which sportsbooks are available in Mississippi, you can select them in the box down below.

Sports betting revenue impact on Louisiana's economy

Louisiana's first full year with legal sports betting was 2022, and by the end of the year, the state had already amassed over $2 billion in sports betting handle alone. This alone was a pretty strong indicator that LA would become one of the highest-earning states every month, which also rings true today in 2025.

The size of a state and the market certainly impact its performance, and Louisiana is well off in both departments. Between the preexisting casinos and prominent sports betting apps, it is not much of a shock that LA reports such strong numbers in betting revenue. In 2024, the yearly total LA betting handle was just shy of $3.7 billion, which resulted in over $465 million of sportsbook operator revenue and more than $65 million of tax income.

Based on these numbers, the Louisiana betting market is still growing with double-digit figures year-to-year.

When sports betting became legal in LA, 15 retail locations became eligible for licenses. These licenses allow these locations to offer retail and online wagering, provided they pay the $750,000 fee associated with the license. The tax rates for sports betting vary based on whether the book is online or retail. Online books are subject to a 15% tax rate, while retail books face a rate of 10%.

Louisiana sports betting record months:

• Sports betting handle: November 2024 ($413,465,532)

• Revenue: November 2024 ($58,209,106)

• Tax income: November 2024 ($8,175,472)

Latest LA sports betting revenue report breakdown (February 2025)

Reported by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB).

• Total betting handle: $381,244,368

  • Mobile betting handle: $355,711,472

  • Retail betting handle: $25,532,896

• Hold: 12.49%

• Total gross revenue: $47,606,303

  • Net revenue from mobile wagering: $45,058,127

  • Net revenue from retail betting: $2,548,176

    • Promo deductions, mobile: $6,240,532

    • Promo deductions, retail: $29,305

• Total adjusted revenue: $41,336,466

• Total tax revenue for the state: $7,034,948

  • Tax income from mobile sports betting: $6,758,719

  • tax income from retail sports wagering: $276,229

What sports created the most mobile betting revenue in LA in Feb. 2025?

1. Basketball ($9.4m)

2. Soccer ($752,133)

3. Baseball ($119,028)

4. Football (-$1.2m)

5. All other sports ($8.0m)

   • Parlay bets: $30.0m

Recent revenue report data - Compared to the previous year (YoY)

LA sports betting revenue in 2025

The monthly sports betting revenue data, including the betting handle and the state's tax income, are reported by The Louisiana Gaming Control Board, and the previous month's numbers are usually published in the middle of each following month.

The table below shows all reported sports betting figures from the year 2025. In addition, it features the percentage shows how such figures have evolved on a month-to-month basis.

2024 revenue data

Yearly revenue totals

Crab Trap Cashouts: Turning Louisiana’s Blue Crab Season into Bettable Action

Louisiana’s vibrant seafood culture could find a quirky new home in the world of novelty sports betting through crab-based betting markets. These hyper-local, seasonal betting spectacles would be centered around the state’s beloved blue crab harvest. Every year, communities along the Gulf coast buzz with activity as crabbers race to haul in the biggest, freshest catch. Even more excitement could be added by transforming this ritual into a live, bettable event. Betting markets could include which dock pulls the season’s largest single-day haul, which parish had the fewest toss-backs, and more. 

This kind of community-driven betting could generate real economic lift. With thousands already attending local seafood festivals, introducing legal, low-stakes prop bets could bring in an estimated $250,000–$500,000 in seasonal handle, particularly if paired with mobile betting app promos, food festivals, and tourism campaigns. 

In a state where food is religion, betting on crabs wouldn’t just be a novelty; it could become a new tradition. Done right, crab-based markets could become a new coastal tradition, turning shrimp boots and seafood boils into real betting gold.

Turning Mardi Gras tradition into profit: King Cake Baby betting explained

During Mardi Gras season, King Cake isn't just dessert but a cultural ritual. Hidden inside each cake is a tiny plastic baby, and tradition says whoever finds it must buy the next cake or host the next party. But the question is whether finding the baby also held betting potential. Bettors could place wagers on which guest at a Mardi Gras gathering finds the baby first or even which slice number holds the prize.

With live events, office parties, and community celebrations centered around King Cake, Mardi Gras prop betting could turn this festive tradition into a low-stakes wagering market. Licensed Louisiana sportsbooks could offer seasonal "King Cake Baby" pools or programs that sync with events in real time. If even a small fraction of Mardi Gras parties incorporated novelty betting, it could generate new tax revenue for the state.