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 thruš¦©st in the consciousness of locals, with Louisiana becoming one of over 30 to fully legalize the activity. For more on this, explore our in-depth article below!
- 1 Where to Place Sports Bets in Louisiana?
- 2 Is Sports Betting Legal in Louisiana?
- 3 Sports Betting Revenue & Taxation in Louisiana
- 4 Best Sports Betting Apps in Louisiana
- 5 Louisiana Sports Betting Promotions
- 6 Popular Types of Bets
- 7 Where To Bet on Local Louisiana Teams
- 8 Important Sports Events in Louisiana 2024
- 9 Louisiana Sports Betting Timeline
- 10 States Where It Is Legal To Bet on Sports
- 11 ThePuntersPage Final Say
- 12 References
- 13 Louisiana Sports Betting ā FAQs
Where to Place Sports Bets in Louisiana?
Full T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
Full T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
Full T&Cs apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
Is Sports Betting Legal in Louisiana?
Following the dissolution of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, mš ultiple US states went ahead with legalizing spšorts gambling. Louisiana did so in November 2020, after 55 of the 64 stateās parishes approved a ballot measure to allow sports wagering.
Itās worth noting that the nine local parishes that voted against the legalization oš°f sports betting are located in the northeast, where none of the stateās 20 casinos/racetracks are based.
Sports betting was officially legalized in the state in June 2021 after Governor John Bel Edwards signed three bills into motion. The first retail betting stores openeād in Octobāer 2021, while online sports betting debuted in January 2022.
Present & Future of Sports Betting in Louisiana
Louisianaās first full year of legal sports betting was full of promise, but there has been a minor dip after a record-bšreaking 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.
Howevš ·er, thereās no reason to be concerned with the recent dip, as Louisianaās decline is consistent with the rš°est of the US.
Sports Betting Revenue & Taxation in Louisiana
In its first full year after going live, Louisšiana 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 sports betting. Mobile apps earned around $152m during their first ten months and paid $22.8m.
While sportsboš«oks incurred heavy losses following their launch, tš ·he state of Louisiana has undoubtedly benefitted financially from the legalization of sports betting.
Here are some of the main points regarding sports betting revenue and taxation in the statą²e of Louisiana.
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20 sports betting licenses are available for existing retail gambling facilitiesź§.
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Each licensee is allowed to have tš²wo 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 was one of the first major sportsbooks to open for business in Louisiana following the legalisation of sports betting in June 2021. DraftKings opened their doors in the Bayou State five months later as one ofš six inaugural sportsboošks.
The platform is viewed as a sports betting behemoth in the country, available in 21 states ā more than any other major ź¦USā 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 also run a $1,000 matching first deposit bonus whišch Louisiana bettors can taške advantage of.
2. BetMGM
The sportsbook wing of the Mš¬GM Resorts empire, BetMGM was launched alongside DraftKings in the first wave of online sportsbooks to gš¶o live in Louisiana.
BetMGM has raised the standards of the gambling industry since its estš¦¹ablishment, providing a superb experience for its users and rewarding their VIPs with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
The bookieās sportsbook is comprehensive and, on the whole, thereās something for everybody to enjoy. Theyāre beginning to offer more on the pš¬romotions front, and bettors from Louisiana can mšake the most of their new customer promotions which gifts them $1,000 paid back in bonus bets, should their first bet with the bookie end in a loss.
š° This offer is laden with value, and punters will then be able to access the most competitive odds and impressive array of markets in the American market.
3. FanDuel
FanDuel launched in Louisiana at the start of 2022 and is currently available in 19 states. While still an exceš„llent provider of fantasy sports, in particularly fantasy football, the site has also blossomed into one of Americaās most popular bookmakers.
Innovative pršomotions are crucial to FanDuelās popularity, anš¶d Louisiana bettors can also take advantage of the No-Sweat First Bet new customer offer in which they can earn up to $1,000 in bonus bets after signing up.
Thereās plenty to get stuck into on both the desktop offering and the app, āwith the supreme functionality of allowing for a user-friendly experience. Overall, itās no surprise that FanDuel is considered by many to be the countryās leading bookie. Its evolution really is impressive.
Best Sports Betting Apps in Louisiana
DraftKings
America's most popular sportsbook is accompanied by a brilliant mobile app, which is available to Louisiana punters and anybody else residing in the 22 states where DraftKings operates. Many have lauded the app's functionality in particular, along with its high-quality features. Fantasy football lovers are particulaź¦r admirers.
BetMGM
BetMGMās mobile app launched in Louisiana after its sportsbook opened its doors in January 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 sportź¦° a dedicated tool of their own.
FanDuel
Like its website, FanDuelās mobile app, which š¬is compatible with pretty much every platform, is a whole lot of fun to use. šThereās nothing you can do on the desktop version that you canāt on the mobile product, with access to top features such as Odds Boosts and Same Game Parlays.
Louisiana Sports Betting Promotions
Here are some of the most common sportį¦s betting promotions offered by bookmakers liceź§nsed in Louisiana:
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FanDuel Deposit Bonus
Those that šsign up with FanDuel in 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 customerās first stake of at least $5.
To qualify for this promotion, you need to deposit at leastš§ $10 bš§efore placing your bet, and you'll earn the $150 no matter whether your qualifying bet wins or loses.
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BetMGM up to $1,000 Paid Back
BetMGMās welcome offer for Louisianians is incredibly generous, with the potešntial to win $1,000 in bonuses. Thereās noš³thing but value here!
To qualify for this promotion, simply create an account and deposit a minimum ofą² $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 youāll 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
Fancy the opportunity ofš making some quick cash? Well, just sign up to DraftKings and youāll almost instantly earn yourself $50 in bonus bets after you make your first deposit 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 rewards you with $200 in bonuses, whichš · in turn can be used on any NFL market after you place their first $5 bet.
Popular Types of Bets
Here are some of the most popular tyš½pes of wagers that Louiš»siana bettors make on a variety of sports.
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Moneyline Bets
Moneyline betting is simple. With tą¶£his type of bet, youāre backing a team to win the match.
So, if you place this kind of bet on the New Orleans Saints to beat the Carolinaš Panthers, the Saints must win the contest 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 šÆvery popular among American bettors due to the lack of value thatās typically associated with moneyline betting. Dueš¦ to the high-scoring nature of sports like football and basketball, thereās less scope for variance, and itās less likely for an underdog to win.
Spread betting,š» however, ašttempts 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. š±The favorite will have a ā-ā next to their points spread, while the underdog will haveāØ a ā+ā.
So, letās 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 overš /under betting markets, but the most cošmmon is betting on how many points will be scored in a particular game. With this bet, the end result doesnāt matter.
The bookmaker will set a line, and you musšt decide whether to bet over or under the given line.
For example, the bookie mightš§ 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 win. Anything less and the under wins.
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Parlays
Everybody loves a parlay, right? Itās where the dreamers come to play.
These bets are tough to pull off as you need multiple seālections to come in tāo ensure your bet is a success. Just one failed selection, and your entire bet collapses.
A parlay bet constitutes of two or more singles bets which are combined into one big bet. The unlikelihood of them coming off means you are often š¦treated to big returns should you conjure up a winning bet.
šŖYou can include multiple markets and events in a parlay bet,š¦ although Same Game Parlays are growing in popularity.
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Prop Bets
Propoź¦¬sition bets, or āpropā bets as theyāre more commonly known, are, in essence, side wagers that do nāot affect the gameās final outcome.
The vast majority āof markets offered by bookmakers on a single game can be considered prop bets. Point spread, moneyline and total points, however, arenāt.
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 štšÆo catch over a certain number of balls.
Howevš er, bookies will also offer game props such as āwhich team will score first?ā and novelty props such as āwho will win the coin toss?ā. The possibilities are endless!
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Futures Bets
Futures bets require plenty of patience as theyāre long-āterm bets. If youāre looking for a quick buck, this isnāt the route to go down.
With these bets, youāreź¦” banking on something to occur in the future. For example, you might fancy the New Orleans Saints to win an unlikely 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 mosą¹t value can be extracted.
Where To Bet on Local Louisiana Teams
Louisiana simply isnāt a major sporting state, but its biggest city, New Orlāeans, possesses fervent supporters of two major franchises: the Saints (NFL) and Pelicans (NBA).
The Saints enjoyed their fair share of success with Drew Brees at quarterback, winning the Super Bowl in 2010, which emerged as one of the heartfelt stories in American sports in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Brees, along with Sšean Payton, helped New Orleanians believe again.
Franchise | Sport | Founded | Odds |
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New Orleans Saints | Football | 1967 | Win Super Bowl LVIII +3500 |
New Orleans Pelicans | Basketball | 1988 | Win NBA Finals N/A |
Louisiana State University | College football | 1893 | Win National Championship N/A |
Important Sports Events in Louisiana 2024
Letās take a look at a list of significant sporting events that Louisiana sports fanās might fancy betting on this year:
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3rd September ā Louisiana State Universityās NCAA regular season sź¦tarts
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10th September ā New Orleans š“Saintsā home opener against Tennesseāe Titans
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Mid-October ā 2024/25 NBA regular season starts
Louisiana bettors can bš ·et on pretty much everything, but there are some restrictions. For example, some esports events are not available due to some of the competitors being younger than 18. The state has also banned wagering on high schoolš§ and youth sports.
Moreover, itź§ās worth noting that nine of the stateās 64 parź§ishes do not offer legal sports gambling.
Louisiana Sports Betting Timeline
Hereās a history of sporāts betting in Louisiana:
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May 2018 ā US Supreme Court overturns PASPA.
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2019 ā Senator Danny Murphy begiāns to push sportź¦æs betting legislation (SB153).
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November 2020 ā Referendum passed by Louisiana ą¼ŗvoters that legalized sports betting in the state.
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June 2021 ā āGovernor 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.
States Where It Is Legal To Bet on Sports
Changes to federal law has facilitated the legalization šÆof sports gambling in over 30 states to some degree, and Louisiana is currently one of those.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
This guide has detailed everš ything there is to know about sports betting in Louisiana. While not a state revered for its sport, Louisiana is blessed with a couple of major institutions, and the leniency of theiršÆ betting laws mean thereās plenty for punters residing in the state to get stuck into.
References
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1.
The Daily Advertiser. (n.d.). In first year of sports betting, Louisiana made $26.5M, Mattress Mack won $75M. [online] Availaąµ©ble at: //eu.theadvertiser.com/story/money/business/2023/01/12/louisiana-brings-in-26-5-million-in-first-year-of-legš·al-sports-bets/69796159007/ [Accessed 11 May 2023].
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2.
lgcb.dps.louisiana.gov. (n.d.). Louisiana Gaming Control Boardš„. [online] Available at: //lgcb.dps.louisiana.gov/ [Accessed 11 May 2023].
Louisiana Sports Betting ā FAQs
Sports betting was legalized in Louisiana in June 2021 withš the first retail sportsbook opening October 2021. Online sports betting debuted in January 2022.
At the time of writing, thereā are eight onliź¦Æne sportsbooks in operation.
DraftKings, BetMGM, andą² FanDuš¦el are the best sportsbooks available in Louisiana.
Punters can bet on college eventās, including in-state teams.
There arenāt too many professional franchises in the state. The New Orleans Saints (NFL) and New Orleans Pelicans (NBA) are the only ź¦two. Louisiana State Universiāty is also a major sporting institution.