Louisiana Online Gambling: Guide to Top Legal Sites

There are several legal forms of betting available in Louisiana. In our guide, we’ve focused on the state legislation, the most popular payment methods, and the most lucrative bonuses. Additionally, we’ve examined all Louisiana online gambling sites and listed the best ones below. We have also selected the best options for each legal gambling product.

Scott Bowen, Editor at online-gambling.com

• Twitter
• Email

Scott Bowen has been a casino expert and editor at online-gambling.com for a few years. He has professional experience in many gambling products, including roulette and blackjack, video poker, and sports betting.

More About Scott Bowen

Online Gambling in Louisiana – Top Products & Sites

The research team of online-gambling.com and I focused on covering the online gambling laws in the state, as described by the Louisiana Administrative Code^[1]. Our first impression was that the regulations were strict, but there are good options for the state’s residents. We’ll cover all legal gambling activities, including DFS and sports betting.

We know all of you have different criteria, which is why we feature licensed operators with different gaming options. The final choice is yours, but we hope this guide will serve as a reference for what makes a betting platform worthy of your time.

Online Sportsbooks

In 2021, residents voted in favor of legalizing online sports betting in Louisiana. Today, you can legally play at platforms licensed by the LA Gaming Control Board and benefit from various perks. The best online sportsbooks in LA offer competitive odds and diverse markets. Below, you can explore operators that match these criteria.

According to iGaming Business^[3], the profits from sports betting in Louisiana scored a new record in September 2023. All sportsbook operators’ revenue was estimated at $43.1 million, $36.0 million of which came from online platforms. While diverse markets are available, betting on football is the most popular among residents of the Bayou State.

Operators accept wagers on basketball, soccer, hockey, boxing, and many other sports, while in-game betting is also possible. Other options include moneyline, spread bets, over/under, and more. Some sportsbooks take the extra mile and provide odds calculators, which can show you what payout to expect if you win.

Online Casinos

Louisiana is a gambler’s paradise when it comes to casinos. You can find many land-based venues within LA borders, fifteen riverboat casinos, four racinos, and five tribal casinos. However, it remains illegal to gamble at online casinos.

Currently, there are no legal online casinos in Louisiana, which is one of the major drawbacks of the local gambling scene. We found no indicators suggesting the situation would change soon. Until further notice, the best online casinos in Louisiana will remain illegal for the foreseeable future.

Daily Fantasy Sports

In November 2018, daily fantasy betting in Louisiana was officially legalized. The state was among the few that still prohibited it until voters approved a new law for legalizing monetized DFS contests in the state.

Today, you can participate in one of these competitions if you’re a Louisiana resident over 21 years old. The state’s Gaming Control Board is responsible for the regulations and taxation of the DFS operators. If you decide to sign up for such a gaming platform, ensure it has the authorization of the LGCB.

Online Poker

Like the rest of the gambling games, online poker is illegal in LA. Therefore, video poker games are not allowed for players in the state. While browsing the net, you may find sites that offer online poker. These operators, however, are not to be trusted.

Even if poker is considered a game of skill, just like DFS requires proficiency, its legal statute has no upcoming modifications. Unfortunately, the Louisiana gambling laws remain strict, and poker fans are still hoping for eventual changes in the legislation to start accepting customers from the state.

Online Lottery

The modern state lottery was born in 1991 after the legislature proposed it to raise revenue in LA. ACT 1045 established the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, which still oversees state lotteries. Although it is a legal form of gambling, local law prohibits the sale of online lotto tickets.

When it comes to online lottery in Louisiana, the state might introduce a system for purchasing tickets on the internet at some point. Should that occur, you can count on us to update you.

Online Gambling Bonuses & Promo Codes in Louisiana

Legalizing online gambling products such as sports betting in Louisiana is a big step ahead. This also opens many doors for gamblers in the state eager to enjoy the newest trends and innovations. Without a doubt, online gambling offers many different possibilities. The bonus offers for sports wagering or DFS are among them.

If you access the best online gambling sites in Louisiana, you can benefit from attractive welcome offers and regular promos. However, remember that the bonuses come with specific wagering requirements. You need to check them carefully before you claim any promotion.

Another important thing to consider is the validity of the offer. The longer you have to complete the wagering requirements, the better. Overall, operators offer between 7 and 90 days to do so. Claiming a bonus allows you to double your playing funds and test your gaming skills. Remember that the operators offer different types of bonuses, the most popular of which we will explain below.

Deposit Bonus Offers

Deposit matches are among the most common online gambling promotions across Louisiana. In general, they require that you fund your account first to be able to claim them. In most cases, you must deposit a minimum amount of $5 – $10 to be eligible for the promotion. The sum depends on the unique terms and conditions of every offer.

No Deposit Bonuses

No deposit bonuses are specific types of offers that are granted to newly registered customers. Usually, no-deposit bonuses are cash prizes that players receive for free as a gift for opening a new account. However, these bonuses are less widespread, and it can be difficult to find them.

Louisiana Gambling Apps

Legalizing online betting in Louisiana provokes interest in playing on the go. We downloaded the mobile versions of several legal gambling sites and discovered they offer excellent mobile compatibility. Android and iOS users can take advantage of native apps, while mobile browser optimization is also great,

If we have to compare the two options, mobile betting apps are more intuitive. They load faster, and the navigation is easier. Also, some of them let you turn on notifications regarding betting options and promotions that interest you.

Mobile gambling is one of the trends that overwhelmed the online gambling scene in the USA. We featured the above-listed operator because its mobile app stands out with user-friendly navigation and owns a license from the LGCB. You can download it on Google Play or App Store and explore its offers, including in-game betting.

Live Gambling in Louisiana

As mentioned, online casino games aren’t allowed in the state. Unfortunately, those who love playing real dealer games online will not have that chance because no such platforms operate in Louisiana. If you want to enjoy a blackjack or roulette gaming session, you could visit a land-based casino instead.

With the legalization of online sports betting, players in the state can enjoy placing wagers on live sports events. Live betting in Louisiana is allowed only at licensed and authorized online sportsbooks.

At the moment of writing, live sports betting is one of the few legal gambling forms you can enjoy online. Unfortunately, the Louisiana gambling laws remain rigid regarding online casino games. We hope this will change soon and the laws will be modified to allow other live gambling products.

Deposits & Withdrawals

Legal platforms for online gambling in Louisiana support trusted payment methods with fast transaction speed. Among the most popular options are debit and credit cards such as Visa or Mastercard. E-wallets such as PayPal are also a top pick of online gamblers in the state.

Mobile payments also have a large fan base, with Apple Pay leading the chart. You can also make a bank transfer, but consider it takes longer to arrive. Those who aren’t fans of online payments can go to the cash at the casino cage and deposit from there.

When choosing the right payment methods for online gambling in Louisiana, you must pay attention to specific details. Remember that every operator has particular minimum and maximum deposits and withdrawals. Licensed operators also offer players the chance to set their limits to meet specific responsible gambling requirements.

Besides, some operators and specific payment methods may apply transaction fees on your online deposits or withdrawals. These fees will usually be rather small, but we advise you to check them before you initiate the payment process.

Odds & Payouts

How we rate online gambling sites in Louisiana depends to a bigger extent on their payout levels. The payout rates can determine the probabilities of winning that players might have while gambling.

Sports betting odds are also crucial when playing at the top Louisiana gambling sites. In the American odds format, there are some differences related to distinguishing the favourites and underdogs. Operators highlight the underdogs with a plus before the odds. On the contrary, you can recognize the favored player or team by the odds with the minus sign.

Analyzing the payouts and the betting odds is not easy, but it is not impossible to learn it, either. Many gamblers use different methods to calculate the odds and the payout rates at the Louisiana online gambling sites. Keep in mind that other gambling products come with varying rates of payout. You can check them in the table below.

How to Gamble Online in Louisiana

The registration process at the Louisiana online gambling sites is fast. All you need to do is fill out the signup form by following the required steps. You will have to provide specific details, but you don’t have to worry because data is kept private thanks to SSL encryption.

There are a couple of additional steps that you need to take before you can start gambling. You will have to choose a preferred payment method to fund your account. Besides, you must deposit a minimum amount before claiming any welcome bonus at LA online gambling sites. They created the following step-by-step guide showing how to bet on sports.

Once you register and deposit your account, you can use the full capacity of the online gambling sites in Louisiana. Keep in mind that you could use the occasion to claim a welcome offer. Most operators offer up to 100% deposit match, which can increase your playing budget.

Advantages of Online Gambling in LA

Without a doubt, online gambling has many advantages. First, you can benefit from top-quality gaming products from the comfort of your home or even through your mobile device. Furthermore, Louisiana’s online gambling operators are regulated by the LGCB, ensuring fair play and transparent T&C.

If you gamble online, you can access platforms offering different features in one place. For example, you can pick from welcome bonuses or other promotions for regular players, which can improve your overall experience. Remember to read the fine print and gamble responsibly, whether online or offline.

Land-Based Casinos, Kiosks, and Racetracks

Land-based gambling in Louisiana was first introduced in the 1920s. Then, the state allowed pari-mutuel horse betting for the first time. Today, one of the most popular gambling establishments is riverboat gaming venues. The first 15 riverboat casinos were legalized in 1991. They provoked great interest and attracted gamblers from other states.

Later, in 1993, the first native American land-based casinos were introduced. The Chitimacha tribe was the first to gain a valid license and open an Indian casino in the state. Currently, according to data provided by the American Gaming Association^[2], there are 19 commercial and 5 tribal casinos in Louisiana as of December 31, 2022.

Louisiana has many land-based betting retailers as well. Those who want to place wagers on their favorite sports events that are legal in Louisiana can do it in the specified betting locations. Gamblers can place bets at the betting kiosks that are accessible in every major city in the state.

Louisiana Gambling Laws

The gambling laws in Louisiana are a double-edged sword. There are many forms of legal gaming, but most of these activities are limited to land-based versions. The Louisiana Statute § 14:90.3 prohibits almost all forms of online gambling. A vote in 2018 has allowed daily fantasy sports and sports betting.

Many believe the vote represented a sort of change when it comes to online gaming, and some predict that one day, other gambling forms may be legal. Players hope the laws prohibiting online and land-based poker will change, but we have not come across anything concrete suggesting this.

The first government-run casino in LA was opened in 1753, and the first state lottery was established in 1866. However, these looked much different from their modern articulations. Riverboat gambling arrived on the waters of Louisiana in the 1990s, along with the first Native American casinos in the state. Soon after, the state started allowing slot games at racetracks. Today, these venues are known as “racinos”.

Gambling Guides for Other States

• TX Gambling Guide
• TN Gambling Guide
• AR Gambling Guide
• MI Gambling Guide

The History of Gambling in Louisiana

To summarize Louisiana’s history with gambling, we can say it is a gradual legalization process. Although there have been attempts to halt the progress of gambling in the state, many of these have eventually failed.

First, there was horse betting, then riverboat casinos, Indian gaming (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988), land-based casinos, and now online sports betting. Although the state has opened its borders to these activities, only time will tell if the LA legislature allows online casino activities.

State Facts & Statistics

The Bayou State is widely known for New Orleans’ vibrant atmosphere bursting with jazz music, Creole cuisine-style restaurants, celebrations, and festivals, among which the most notable is Mardi Gras. The state still feels influenced by its French past, as evidenced by using the term parish rather than the county for administrative subdivisions.

Legal Gambling Age in the State

The legal gambling age in Louisiana changes depending on the form of gambling in question. To play any of the state lotteries, players must be 18+ years of age. All players in a casino must be 21 years of age or older. There is no exception to this rule. If a minor is with a parent or guardian, they are still not permitted on casino premises.

• Online Gambling Age:
  To enter a casino, players must be 21+ years of age.
• Drinking Age
  The current legal drinking age in Louisiana is 21+. The state was the last to have a legal drinking age of 18.
• Legal Age for Marijuana
  In Louisiana, recreational use of cannabis is illegal. Medicinal uses of marijuana are permitted, however.

Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention

Legal gambling is a huge revenue stream for the state of Louisiana. In 2021, an estimated $211 million was spent by players in the state in the first full month. Although betting is a fun leisure activity for many people, some people risk developing problem gambling behavior. Unfortunately, an estimated 1.3% of Louisiana adults are believed to have a problem.

The state takes these problems seriously and, as a result, has established a few ways to get help. Players seeking information or services regarding problem gambling can visit the website of the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling, where one can find helplines, literature, and more.

Upcoming Regulation and Changes in Louisiana

The laws concerning US gambling favored Louisiana and the voters who decided to legalize online betting in the state. This change in the legislation was a huge step ahead in managing the future online gaming activities in the state. In the meantime, the LGCB requires operators to comply with safe gambling practices and prevent players from developing an addiction.

Currently, only sports betting and daily fantasy sports are legal. Many people believe that the Bayou State might join the group of states that allow online gambling. Nothing has been tabled yet for the Louisiana Senate to vote upon.

References

1. Louisiana Administrative Code, (January 2023), Title 42 – Louisiana Gaming (PDF), Retrieved November 27, 2023
2. American Gaming Association (2023), Louisiana – State of Play 2023, Retrieved November 27, 2023
3. Robert Fletcher, iGaming Business, (October 26, 2023), Louisiana sportsbooks take record $43.1m in revenue during September, Retrieved November 27, 2023