Louisiana Sports Betting: A Comprehensive Guide

Key Points about Louisiana Sports Betting:

– Sports betting in Louisiana is legal, having been legalized in June 2021 and online sports betting launched on January 28.

– To bet online in Louisiana, you must be at least 21 years old and physically within the state, verified by your mobile device’s geolocation technology or a downloadable desktop plugin.

– Available mobile sportsbooks in Louisiana include BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, and DraftKings.

– Louisiana bettors can wager on major league sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, NHL), college football and basketball, European basketball leagues, cricket, rugby, and more.

Table of Contents

Top Online Sportsbooks in Louisiana:

1. BetMGM Louisiana

BetMGM’s user-friendly navigation and intuitive betslip experience make it easy to find sports and primary markets. Known for their ongoing promotions and daily boosters, they offer a deposit match of up to $1,100 with the bonus code TWBSPORTS.

2. Caesars Louisiana

Caesars stands out with a stellar rewards program and generous sign-up offers. They have an advanced in-game betting experience or “live betting” offering compared to most sportsbooks. Their promo offers a refund in bet credits if your first bet loses (up to $1,250) with the promo code TWBSPORTSFULL.

3. BetRivers Louisiana

BetRivers boasts a helpful customer service team and quick cash-out capabilities. Although they’re a no-frills sportsbook, they’re reliable and a solid choice for your sportsbook roster. Their promo offers a 2nd Chance Bet up to $500 with the promo code SPORTS.

4. DraftKings Louisiana

Rooted in daily fantasy sports, DraftKings has created a visually appealing and easy-to-use sportsbook. They provide Louisiana sports bettors with both fantasy and sportsbook options. Their promo offers $200 in bonus bets for a $5 bet, with no promo code required.

Types of Bets and Available Sports in Louisiana:

– Point Spreads: Bet on the margin of victory in a game, or the point “differential.”

– Moneylines: Pick the winner of the game or event (one team or another).

– First Half & Second Half: Treat the first and second halves as separate matches.

– Totals: Bet on the combined number of points scored by both teams in a game (over/under).

– Futures: Bet on events that will be decided in the future (e.g., end-of-season results).

– Player Props: Wagers not directly tied to the final score or outcome.

Sports available for legal betting in Louisiana:

– Football: NFL & CFL

– Basketball: NBA, WNBA, European/international baseball leagues

– Baseball: MLB

– Hockey: NHL, international hockey leagues

– Soccer: MLS, English Premier League, UEFA Champions League

– College sports: NCAA football and basketball

– Golf: PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, PGA European

– Auto Racing: IndyCar, NASCAR, Formula One

– Additional markets: boxing, tennis, rugby, and more

Restrictions for Betting in Louisiana:

– No bettors under 21 years of age.

– No betting on high school sporting events.

– Sporting officials (coaches, referees) or players with vested interests in a game or season cannot bet on their events.

The Impact of Sports Betting on Louisiana’s Economy

The tax benefits of legal sports betting might not be immediately apparent to consumers, but Louisiana is set to reap substantial rewards from the additional tax revenue generated by the industry. According to House Bill 697, mobile sportsbooks will be taxed at 18%, while retail sportsbooks will be taxed at 10% on their profits. This is a relatively low rate compared to states like New York, which has implemented a 51% tax on sportsbook operators. The tax revenue from sports betting in Louisiana will be allocated to various state causes as follows:

– 60% to the general fund
– 25% to early education
– 12% to the parishes
– 2% to programs for gambling addiction
– 1% to a sports wagering purse fund for horse racing

Louisiana Sports Betting: Background and Legalization Timeline

In June 2021, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed a sports betting regulation bill into law, paving the way for up to 41 mobile operators to enter the state. The legislation permits each of the state’s 20 combined casinos and pari-mutuel horse tracks to partner with two online operators.

Following the approval of legal wagering by voters in 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes in a 2020 ballot measure, bettors aged 21 and older can place mobile bets with licensed operators from their phones or mobile devices without needing to register in person. This makes Louisiana the first state to approve mobile sports betting on a county-by-county (or parish-by-parish) basis.

All facilities in parishes with a casino or horse track that approved the 2020 referendum can open retail sportsbooks on their properties. Bettors can wager from any approved parish, including those surrounding Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, and other population centers.

However, sports betting was not approved in the following nine parishes:

– Caldwell
– Catahoula
– Franklin
– Jackson
– LaSalle
– Sabine
– Union
– West Carroll
– Winn

Most major U.S. operators are expected to apply for one of the 41 total online licenses, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and others. Caesars, which is rebranding its Harrah’s New Orleans casino under its parent company name, will launch both an online sportsbook and retail counterpart at the land-based casino. Barstool Sportsbook, Golden Nugget, TwinSpires, and B Connected’s parent companies, which each operate Louisiana gaming facilities, are also anticipated to launch their respective sportsbooks.

Louisiana’s sports betting regulatory bill permits betting on college sports, including the LSU Tigers football team. Industry analysts estimate that college sports betting could account for 15% of the total handle, a percentage that may be even higher in college football-dominated Louisiana.

Louisiana joins Tennessee and Virginia as the third mobile wagering market in the South.

The road to sports betting legalization in Louisiana was a long one, with several key milestones:

– January 2022: Online sports betting launches in Louisiana.

– December 2021: BetMGM opens registrations.

– November 2021: Betfred Sportsbook opens registrations.

– October 2021: DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars Sportsbook open registrations.

– September 2021: Louisiana officials reaffirm their commitment to launching retail and online sports betting as soon as possible.

– August 2021: Louisiana Gaming Control Board approves emergency rules for sports betting.

– June 2021: Gov. John Bel Edwards signs SB 247 into law.

– November 2020: Louisiana voters in 55 of the 64 parishes approve sports betting.

– June 2020: Governor John Bel Edwards signs a bill allowing a ballot measure asking each parish if they would like to authorize sports betting.

– May 2020: Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate both approve the sports betting bill, Senate Bill 130.

– February 2020: Senator Cameron Henry introduces sports betting bill, Senate Bill 130.

Louisiana Teams

The state has several professional and college sports teams, including:

– New Orleans Saints (NFL)
– New Orleans Pelicans (NBA)
– New Orleans Gold Rugby Club (MLR)

Betting on these teams and others in Louisiana is now legal, which will generate additional revenue for the state and provide fans with new opportunities for engagement.

NFL Betting in Louisiana

The New Orleans Saints have made significant strides since their early years, becoming one of the league’s most consistently successful teams. The Saints have had 10 playoff appearances since 2000, including seven division titles and a 2009 Super Bowl victory.

NBA Betting in Louisiana

The New Orleans Pelicans, formerly known as the New Orleans Hornets, have struggled to find consistent success despite having star players like Chris Paul and Anthony Davis on their roster.

Professional Rugby Betting in Louisiana

The New Orleans Gold, a professional rugby union team, was founded in 2017 and is currently coached by former player Kane Thompson.

College Sports Teams in Louisiana

College sports are immensely popular in the state, with several football teams attracting widespread attention:

– LSU Tigers Football

– Tulane Green Wave Football

– Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Football

– Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks Football

– Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Football

College Basketball Betting in Louisiana

LSU Tigers Men’s Basketball
The LSU men’s basketball team boasts a rich tradition that includes all-time greats such as Pete Maravich and Shaquille O’Neal. The Tigers have four all-time Final Four appearances, with the most recent coming in 2006. Under coach Will Wade, the Tigers experienced a decent stretch of success, winning the SEC in 2019.

Tulane Green Wave Men’s Basketball
The Green Wave has struggled to gain momentum since joining the AAC, experiencing an NCAA Tournament drought that dates back to 1995. That year, they were a 9-seed and managed to upset BYU in the first round.

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Men’s Basketball
The Ragin’ Cajuns’ men’s basketball team has won the Sun Belt three times, most recently in 2018, and appeared in 10 NCAA Tournaments, with the most recent appearance coming in 2014. Their last tournament victory came in 1992 when they upset No. 4-seed Oklahoma in the first round.

Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks Men’s Basketball
The Warhawks have competed in the Sun Belt Conference since 2006 and have yet to register a winning record or NCAA Tournament since becoming members. Their last tournament appearance came in 1996.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Men’s Basketball
Despite winning Conference USA regular-season titles in both 2014 and 2015, the Bulldogs are currently in the midst of an NCAA Tournament drought that dates back to 1991. They last won an NCAA Tournament game in 1989 when, as a 9-seed, they beat La Salle.

McNeese State Cowboys Men’s Basketball
Since joining Division I, the Cowboys have claimed a pair of Southland Conference championships, in 1989 and 2002, and those double as their only NCAA Tournament appearances. They are 0-2 in those appearances.

New Orleans Privateers Men’s Basketball
Under current coach Mark Slessinger, the Privateers in 2017 snapped a 21-year NCAA Tournament drought, making the First Four where they lost to Mount St. Mary’s. A proving ground for established coaches such as Tim Floyd and Buzz Williams, New Orleans has won eight conference titles between stops in the American South, Sun Belt, and Southland conferences.

Nicholls Colonels Men’s Basketball
The Colonels compete in the Southland Conference and are in the midst of an NCAA Tournament drought that dates back to 1998, which was also the year of their last conference championship. The Colonels are 0-2 in tournament history.

Northwestern State Demons Men’s Basketball
The Demons entered the national scene for the first time in 2001 when they were the first team to win one of the NCAA Tournament’s “Opening Round” games (later the First Four). Five years later, as a 14-seed, the Demons shocked Big Ten champion and No. 3-seed Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Southeastern Louisiana Lions Men’s Basketball
The Lions’ one and only Southland championship and one and only NCAA Tournament appearance came in 2005. They made the NIT in 2018 and lost to Saint Mary’s in the first round.

Southern Jaguars Men’s Basketball
The Jaguars have made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, with their one win coming in a 1993 upset of Georgia Tech. The Jaguars most recently won the SWAC title in 2014 and last made the NCAA Tournament in 2016 when they lost to Holy Cross in the First Four.

Other Events

Bayou Classic
The Bayou Classic is an annual showdown between the GSU Tigers and the Southern University Jaguars held at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, LA. This rivalry game is steeped in tradition and features not only the football game itself, but also a battle of the bands and other festivities that make it a popular event in Louisiana sports.

Zurich Golf Classic
The Zurich Golf Classic is a stop on the PGA Tour held in New Orleans. The tournament takes place at the TPC Louisiana course and attracts some of the best golfers in the world. With a unique team format, it adds an exciting twist to the traditional stroke play competition seen in most PGA Tour events.

More Reading on Louisiana

To supplement your knowledge of sports in Louisiana, you can find additional sports news coverage at the Advocate, the Times-Picayune, and the Daily Advertiser. These local news outlets provide extensive coverage of Louisiana’s sports landscape, including college basketball, football, and other sporting events in the state. Stay informed and engaged with local sports news to make the most of your sports betting experience in Louisiana.

Louisiana Sports Betting FAQ

Commonly asked questions about sports betting in the Pelican State.

Q: Is it legal to bet on sports in Louisiana?

A: Yes, retail sports betting has been legal in Louisiana since October 2021. Online sports betting is also legal, with mobile wagering going live on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at 8 a.m. CST.
Louisiana’s sports betting regulation bill was signed into law in June 2021 by Gov. John Bel Edwards, allowing as many as 41 mobile operators to enter the state.

Q: When did online sports betting become legal in Louisiana?

A: Online sports betting went live on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at 8 a.m. CST. You need to be physically located in Louisiana to place a bet.

Q: Who can operate online sports betting and internet gaming?

A: Some of the operators licensed to offer online sports betting in Louisiana include BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, and DraftKings.

Q: What tax rate is paid by the Louisiana casinos and tribes for onsite sports betting?

A: The legislation signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards specifies a tax rate of 10% at onsite locations and a 15% tax on wagering through mobile apps and electronic devices.

Q: How old do you have to be to bet in Louisiana?

A: You must be at least 21 years old to place a bet in Louisiana.

Q: Will it be legal to bet on college sports in Louisiana?

A: Yes, betting on college sports is permitted in Louisiana.

Q: Will Bovada be legal in Louisiana?

A: No. Bovada is an illegal, offshore sportsbook that is not legal in any U.S. state. It is recommended to use licensed and regulated sportsbooks in Louisiana for a safe and secure betting experience.