⭐ The State of Online Gambling in Louisiana – What is Legal?

Louisiana is the next state that is joining the legal online gambling club.

Louisiana online gambling is very regulated, and currently the only available options are sweepstakes and pari mutuel wagering apps, and somewhat limited daily fantasy sports. Sports betting was legalized in June 2021, but online betting has not yet been launched in the state. In addittion to the limited online gambling opportunites. Louisiana residents can participate in a variety of retail gambling practices, like casino gaming at the states’ several casinos.

⭐ Louisiana Sports Betting

Louisiana sports betting was legalized on June 22nd 2021, and the first bets too place on October 6th. However, in Louisiana, each parish within the state was given the option to individually vote on the legizlation, leading to only 55 of the state’s 64 parishes passing the law. This makes matters much more complicated for online sports betting, as the 9 dissenting parishes need to be geofenced in way that does not allow for placing bets.

LA Online Betting Sites

Louisiana online sports betting will go live in 2021. However, the fact that 9 parishes need to be geofenced is causing several bumps along the way. Currently, 13 of the states legal casinos have applied for a sports betting license, and most of them are sure to open an online sportsbook as well. Expected LA sports betting sites include:

• Betfred: They were the first sportsbook to take bets. Betfred operates under the Paragon Casino Resort license.
• DraftKings: Already operate DFS under a temporary license.
• FanDuel: Already operate DFS under a temporary license.
• Caesars: Strong presence in the state through Belle of Baton Rouge Casino Hotel and Harrah’s.
• Golden Nugget: Available through Golden Nugget Lake Charles.
• BetMGM
• Barstool
• TwinSpires

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Louisiana?

The status of daily fantasy sports has also been a highly contested topic in LA. The legalization of DFS passed back in 2018, but 17 of the 64 parishes voted against the bill, meaning that players from those regions would need to be excluded. This led to more than two years of daily fantasy sports hiatus, before DraftKings and FanDuel started operating DFS contests under a temporary license in 2020.

⭐ Casinos in Louisina

Louisiana is home to 12 legalized retail casinos and riverboat casinos, four of which are operated by Native American tribes. You can also play real money slots and video poker at video poker lounges and off track betting parlors. There are also four racinos that can offer slot machines.

List of Casinos in Louisiana

Online Casino Legalization

There are currently no plans under consideration to legalize online casinos in LA. However, the state moved very quickly when it came to sports betting as well, so Louisiana online casinos might be reality sooner than later.

Sweepstakes

Real money online casinos aren’t legal in Louisiana, but you sweepstakes games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette. At sweepstakes casinos you play with Gold Coins. These have no real-money value, and can’t be exchanged for dollars. However, your winnings are paid in sweep coins, which are used in special games where the winnings can be exchanged for real cash.

⭐ Can you Play Poker in Louisiana?

Poker games in Lousiana are allowed both at homes and at several of the casinos in the Pelican State. Home poker games need to follow three simple rules 1) no rake, 2) private residence, and 3) every participant must be over 21 years of age. Poker rooms at casinos can take rake and follow the general guidelines for retail poker in the United States. You can play poker at the following Louisiana Casinos:

• Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans
• Coushatta Casino Resort
• Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport
• Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino
• Harrah’s Casino New Orleans
• Jena Choctaw Pines Casino
• Paragon Casino Resort and Hotel

⭐ Horse Wagering

Pari mutuel horse wagering is a big deal in Louisiana, and the state has four active race tracks. Online betting on horses is available through specified apps like TVG and TwinSpires. Wagering on horses can thus be done at the comfort of your hown as well as on the track. Fixed odds wagering is not legal in Louisiana.

⭐ Laws and Regulations

Everyone over the age of 21 and not on the Louisiana Gaming Control Board self-exclusion list can participate in online gambling. Pari Mutuel wagering is available to everyone who is at least 18 years of age, but unlike most other states DFS contests require you to be 21. In addition, casino and race track employees are prohibited from wagering on events or playing casino games at their respective establishments, as are members of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.