Is sports betting legal in Louisiana? The short answer is yes, it was legalized in Louisiana in June 2021. Louisiana is one of nearly 30 states where online sports betting – and by proxy, mobile sports betting – is now legal. It is now regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board to ensure fair play.
You can check more details about which US states allow gambling here.
If you are new to the sports betting industry, there is a lot of ground to cover. How many online sportsbooks are there in Louisiana? How can you place sports bets through online and mobile betting platforms? Here is everything to know about sports betting in Louisiana.
Popular Sports and Betting Markets in Louisiana
What do sports betting markets look like in Louisiana? A betting market is any kind of sport or bet type, which can be a bit vague. For reference, let’s look at the most popular sports you would find in an online sportsbook and what kind of things you can wager on with your first bet.
Football
At most sportsbooks, you are going to find football. The NFL is the most popular league in the world and the local team, the New Orleans Saints, is a popular option. Bettors can wager on game lines each week, make predictions on division winners, and even choose who will make or win the Super Bowl.
Basketball
Basketball continues to grow in popularity and there are so many games to wager on. The New Orleans Pelicans provide a popular local choice as well. Bet on game outcomes as well as individual statistical milestones like points, rebounds, assists, and even combinations of those stats.
Baseball
Baseball is still considered “America’s pastime” and sports betting of any kind almost certainly includes MLB games. While making game picks, take advantage of live betting to wager on the next at-bat and even the next pitch. Every out becomes more exciting with online sports betting.
Other Sports
Market access via online sportsbooks is second to none. Even if there is no local team or league, those sportsbooks provide access to popular organizations from around the globe. Hockey, soccer, racing, MMA, golf, tennis, and so many more are available throughout the year to wager on, all from top leagues in each sport.
Louisiana Bet Types
Depending on which sportsbook you choose, the list of bet types can really run the gamut. Most who are familiar with sports betting in any way know about simple wagers like the spread or moneyline. What you might not have realized is just how comprehensive things can get.
Players can bet on “futures” which include what team will win their division, how many wins they’ll have, whether they make the playoffs and whether they will win a championship. Each game offers chances to bet on individual player statistical performances as well. For those who like to keep things interesting, there are unique game outcomes to wager on for nearly every game as well.
Louisiana out with the May print today for sports betting…
Handle $193.6M (+13.1% Y/Y)
Gross revenue $29.6M (+15.3% Y/Y)
Gross hold % 15.3% (+30 bps Y/Y)Data here: https://t.co/ynskabNriF pic.twitter.com/tzNhL0SHes
— Alfonso Straffon 🇨🇷🇺🇸🇲🇽 (@astraffon) June 16, 2023
Professional Sports Teams in Louisiana
Despite Louisiana being a rich athletic state, there are technically only two professional sports teams in the state, both of which reside in New Orleans.
The New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL) had been the third, but they ceased operations in 2023. Here are the two pro sports teams and other notable teams in the state.
New Orleans Saints (NFL)
The NFL is arguably the king of American sports, which would make the Saints the king of Louisiana sports (maybe). The team always had a charm about it even if success was rare. But things changed in the mid-2000s.
After Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, the city rallied around the Saints. In 2009, after decades of suffering through mediocre play, the Saints climbed the mountain. They defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV to win their first (and to date, only) NFL crown.
The Saints are as popular as ever, though results haven’t quite been as good. They remained a contender until the retirement of quarterback Drew Brees, though the team is still in contention for a playoff spot each season.
The newest member of the #Saints Hall of Fame:
The 🐐: @DrewBrees pic.twitter.com/2IueQfqSui
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 30, 2024
New Orleans Pelicans (NBA)
The Pelicans are still a relatively new kid on the block, having come to the city in 2002 following a move from Charlotte. The team held the Hornets name carried over from the move until 2013 when it rebranded as the Pelicans.
Winning seasons have been tough to come by, but things are looking up for the Pelicans. After drafting generational superstar Zion Williamson, excitement and performance on the court saw a noticeable uptick. The team even made the playoffs this year, though Williamson was hurt, and they were summarily bounced.
The future is bright for the Pelicans moving forward. They have good, young talent on the roster and a breakout season is always right around the corner.
crosscourt Z🔥 pic.twitter.com/4RVU55FzZm
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) June 17, 2024
LSU Tigers
If there is a challenger to the Saints’ status as kings of Louisiana, it is the Tigers. College football is a different beast in Louisiana and the Tigers are the embodiment of that. Though other university sports – basketball and baseball, in particular – are popular, football reigns supreme.
The Tigers have one of the most intimidating stadiums in all of college football. Opponents walking into Death Valley know they are facing more than 100,000 raucous purple and gold fans every single week. The Tigers have had their share of success, too, most recently winning the national championship in 2019.
School picture day for the boys pic.twitter.com/qgq8QnJFW9
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) June 20, 2024
Key Milestones in Legalizing Sports Betting
Without a doubt, the biggest movement to make sports betting legal in Louisiana came after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling opened the door for legalized sports betting through online platforms. Soon after, the question, “Is sports betting legal in Louisiana” became a definitive, “Yes.”
Within months, Louisiana became populated by eight online sportsbooks. Users could now place legal sports bets through online and mobile betting sites. Mobile wagering through these sports betting sites has grown rapidly, including for local teams like the New Orleans Saints and Louisiana State University Tigers (LSU).
Regulations and Requirements
Though sports betting is legal in Louisiana, there are regulations and requirements that must be followed. For instance, online, retail, and mobile sportsbooks must offer competitive odds and adhere to rules that offer fair and reasonable play to users.
On the user side of things, Louisiana sports betting is only available to users who are 21 years of age or older and located within Louisiana state lines. Louisiana mobile sports betting will not be valid if wagers are placed outside of state limits.
Where to Legally Bet on Sports in Louisiana
One of the best things about the move to legalize sports betting in Louisiana is that players can make wagers from virtually anywhere in the state. There are retail locations in Baton Rouge and New Orleans from Boyd Gaming and Caesars Entertainment.
Louisiana sports betting surpasses $350 million in Novemberhttps://t.co/0Oda4OJaJl pic.twitter.com/QgTbjXHq7X
— Gaming Intelligence (@GamingIntell) January 2, 2024
Summary of Key Points
Online sports betting is now 100% legal at an approved sports betting vendor. Louisiana betting sites must get a sports betting license and share a cut of all sports betting revenue. That means more money back to the state, which is a cherry on top.
Online wagering continues to grow, and millions of dollars are wagered each month. When you add in daily fantasy sports and sports betting kiosks, residents of Louisiana are finding more potential ways to win than just the Louisiana Lottery.
Sports betting is meant to be fun, however. Set your own rules and limitations and know when to take a step back. If you feel that you may have a gambling problem, call 1-800-gambler to get help today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can I place legal sports bets in Louisiana?
Is sports betting legal in Louisiana? Legal sports betting can be done at retail locations or online sportsbooks. Mobile sports betting is an offshoot of the aforementioned online sportsbooks, allowing access to sports betting sites through dedicated apps. Users must be within Louisiana state lines and 21 years old to partake in Louisiana sports betting.
What sports can I bet on in Louisiana?
Louisiana sports betting covers virtually all sports. Major online sportsbooks like DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, ESPN Bet, Betfred Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, and other online/mobile sportsbooks have access to major sports from around the world. Players can access a retail sportsbook at physical locations like Paragon Casino Resort, Golden Nugget Lake Charles, and others in Baton Rouge, Bossier City, New Orleans, etc.
Are there any restrictions on betting in Louisiana?
There are few restrictions when it comes to Louisiana sports betting sites. All users must be 21 years of age or older to be considered legal sports bettors. Users must be located in Louisiana to place wagers at retail locations or at an online sportsbook.
How old do I have to be to gamble in Louisiana?
As is the case with everyone else in the United States, the legal sports betting age is 21 years old. Sports betting is legal in Louisiana only to players who are of age. The rules apply to online sportsbooks as well as retail sportsbooks.
Do you have to live in Louisiana to bet online?
Technically speaking, you don’t have to be a resident of Louisiana to place a bet. You just need to be physically within Louisiana state lines, whether you are doing retail sports betting or online betting. Wagers placed outside of state lines will not be accepted as legal sports bets.
