Louisiana kicked off legal sports betting with HB 697 in 2020. The market launched retail sportsbooks on January 28, 2022, followed by mobile betting in March 2022, making it the 30th state to go legal.
Sports betting in Louisiana works parish by parish, meaning you can only place bets in areas that approved it. Both retail and online/mobile options are available, and every operator is licensed and regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB).
Quick Facts:
- Legal in: 55 of 64 parishes
- Minimum age: 21+
- Location requirement: Must be physically in an approved parish
- Tax rate: 10% retail, 15% mobile (10% + 5% “official league data” fee)
- In-state college player props: Banned
This guide walks you through different aspects of Louisiana sports betting – legality, licensing, parish rules, betting markets, taxes, player protection, and more.
How Louisiana Legalized Sports Betting
Louisiana’s sports betting story started with House Bill 697 in 2020, introduced by Rep. John Stefanski. Lawmakers wanted a legal, regulated market that balanced revenue, consumer safety, and the state’s casino industry.
Instead of a blanket law, Louisiana took a unique approach: voters in each parish got to decide whether sports betting would be allowed locally. That meant each parish had its own say – 55 of 64 said yes, 9 said no.
Legislative Timeline
- June 2020: HB 697 passes the Louisiana Legislature. It set the framework for sports wagering and required a constitutional amendment to allow parish-by-parish approval.
- November 3, 2020: Voters go to the polls. 55 parishes approve sports betting, including heavy-hitting areas like Orleans, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, St. Tammany, Lafayette, and Caddo. The 9 parishes that rejected it include Beauregard, Caldwell, and Sabine. Overall, it was a high voter turnout and strong approval rate – 86% of parishes said yes.
- January 28, 2022: Retail sportsbooks officially open at licensed casinos and racetracks. Bettors can place wagers in person at the state’s riverboat casinos, land-based casinos, and a handful of racetracks.
- March 2022: Mobile and online betting goes live. Licensed operators partner with casinos to offer apps where players can bet on professional and college sports, as long as they’re physically located in an approved parish.
Parish-by-Parish Approval System
This setup makes Louisiana different from most states. Sports betting isn’t statewide – it’s parish-specific, enforced using geolocation technology.
That means your phone or computer has to verify you’re inside a parish that approved betting before you can place a wager. You could be minutes away in a non-approved parish and get blocked, even if you’re in Louisiana.
The two-phase rollout – first retail, then mobile – gave the state time to test systems, train staff, and educate players. Now, residents and visitors alike can enjoy a regulated, safe betting environment while respecting the parish-by-parish rules that make Louisiana unique in the U.S.
Two-Phase Market Launch
- Phase 1 – Retail (Jan 28, 2022): In-person betting at licensed casinos and racetracks
- Phase 2 – Mobile (March 2022): Online/mobile betting through licensed operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and ESPN BET
This setup ensures that betting stays legal and traceable, while giving players the convenience of mobile apps in approved areas.
Note: For learning more about how your personal information is used on our website, check our Privacy Policy.
Louisiana Gaming Control Board
The main authority keeping sports betting legal, fair, and safe in the state is the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB).
It’s part of the Louisiana State Police and is run by a board of commissioners, chaired by Mr. Ronnie Jones. They’re the ones who license operators, enforce rules, collect taxes, and protect players.
What LGCB Does:
- Licensing: Approves mobile and retail sportsbooks, runs background checks, and can deny anyone with a shady history.
- Rulemaking: Sets standards for security, betting integrity, and responsible gambling.
- Oversight: Monitors all betting activity, checks that platforms follow rules, and coordinates with law enforcement.
- Tax collection: Administers the 10% retail and 15% mobile taxes, audits operators, and imposes fines if rules are broken.
- Consumer protection: Runs the self-exclusion program and oversees problem gambling initiatives.
Contact LGCB
- Address: 8585 Archives Avenue, Suite 100, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
- Phone: (225) 295-8450
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://lgcb.dps.louisiana.gov/
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Licensed Operators in Louisiana
When it comes to sports betting in Louisiana, you can’t just pick any app or website. Only operators licensed by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) are legal, which keeps things safe for bettors.
Major Mobile Operators:
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Caesars Sportsbook
- BetMGM
- theScore BET
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- Hard Rock Bet
- BetRivers
These operators aren’t just randomly allowed to run apps – they have to partner with a licensed casino or racetrack. This is called “market access” or “skins.”
Each casino/racetrack can host up to three mobile skins, which is why you might see multiple apps tied to the same physical location. Louisiana has 20 riverboat/land-based casinos plus 4 racetracks, so there’s plenty of coverage across the state.
Affiliate Disclosure: All operators mentioned in this guide are licensed and regulated. For more info on our partnerships, see our Affiliate Disclosure page.
Retail Operators
If you prefer betting in person, retail sportsbooks are available at all licensed casinos and racetracks. You must be physically at the facility to place bets, so no mobile shortcuts here.
Retail betting gives a more traditional experience, with staff available to help you and instant payouts for big wins.
License Verification
Want to make sure your sportsbook is legit? Always check the LGCB website (https://lgcb.dps.louisiana.gov/) to see the official list of licensed operators. This is crucial as unlicensed apps can steal your money or personal info.
How Licensing Works?
Getting a license isn’t a quick form-filling exercise. The LGCB does the following when deciding whether to issue a license or not:
- Runs background checks
- Reviews financials and business structure
- Monitors ongoing compliance
Operators must follow rules on geolocation, age verification, responsible gambling tools, and reporting revenue. Failures can mean fines or losing the license entirely, which keeps the market clean.
In short, Louisiana’s operator system makes sure apps, websites, and retail books are connected to real, regulated casinos, protecting bettors while keeping the state in control of the market.
Eligibility to Bet in Louisiana
To place a legal bet in Louisiana, you need to meet a few simple requirements.
Who Can Bet
- Age: 21 or older
- Location: Must be physically in a parish that approved sports betting
- Residency: Not required – visitors are welcome
- Verification: Valid government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID)
How Verification Works:
Sportsbooks will ask you to:
- Upload a photo ID
- Provide the last four digits of your Social Security number
- Confirm your current physical address
- Allow geolocation checks to confirm you’re in an approved parish
Who Cannot Bet:
- Anyone under 21
- Self-excluded individuals (through the Louisiana Self-Exclusion Program)
- People in non-approved parishes
- Athletes, coaches, or officials betting on their own sport
Parish Location Rules:
Louisiana has 55 approved parishes, including Orleans (New Orleans), East Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge), Jefferson, St. Tammany, Lafayette, Caddo (Shreveport), and Calcasieu (Lake Charles).
Geolocation tech (GPS, Wi-Fi, cell towers) ensures you’re in the right spot. Betting from a non-approved parish or using a VPN will get blocked. This system keeps betting legal, fair, and restricted to the approved areas, while letting visitors safely join in.
What You Can (and Can’t) Bet On
Louisiana lets you bet on a wide range of sports, but there are some important restrictions, especially around in-state college players.
Allowed Sports:
- Professional: NFL (like the Saints), NBA (Pelicans), MLB, NHL, MLS, UFC/MMA, boxing, NASCAR, F1, tennis, golf
- College: Football, basketball, baseball (with some restrictions)
- International: Soccer, cricket, rugby, Olympics
- Esports: Only if LGCB approves
Allowed Bet Types:
- Moneylines, spreads, totals
- Futures, parlays, same-game parlays
- Live/in-game betting
- Team props, season win totals
- Player props for pro and out-of-state colleges only
Louisiana College Betting Rules:
- Team outcomes allowed: You can bet on LSU Tigers, Tulane Green Wave, UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, ULM Warhawks. Moneylines, spreads, totals, futures, and team-based parlays are fine.
- In-state college player props banned: No betting on individual Louisiana college athlete performance (passing yards, points scored, first touchdown, etc.)
- Out-of-state colleges: All bet types, including player props, are legal.
Prohibited Markets:
- High school and youth sports (under 18)
- Louisiana college player props
- Esports with minors
- Political elections
Following these rules keeps betting legal, fair, and aligned with LGCB regulations, while still letting players enjoy a wide variety of wagers across pro, college, and international sports.
Louisiana Tax Structure and Revenue Distribution
Louisiana has a dual tax system for sports betting, which varies by retail and mobile.
Tax Rates:
- Retail sportsbooks: 10% on net gaming proceeds.
- Mobile sportsbooks: 15% (10% base + 5% “official league data” fee).
- Net gaming proceeds: Total wagers minus payouts and promotional deductions.
This means taxes are revenue-based, not handle-based, so sportsbooks pay on what they actually earn.
| State | Retail Tax | Mobile Tax | Basis |
| Louisiana | 10% | 15% | Revenue |
| Mississippi | 12% | 12% | Revenue |
| Arkansas | 13% | 13% | Revenue |
| Tennessee | N/A | 1.85% | Handle |
| Texas | Not legal | Not legal | N/A |
Revenue Distribution:
Tax money goes to:
- State general fund (main chunk)
- Problem gambling prevention and treatment
- LGCB operations
Revenue Projections:
- 2023: $25 – 30M
- 2024 – 2025: $30 – 40M
This structure keeps the market fair for operators, profitable for the state, and supportive of problem gambling programs, while maintaining transparency for players.
Our team makes sure to keep up with every report and market update – if you want to learn more about the way we create sports betting content on this website, check out our Editorial Principles page.
Responsible Gambling and Consumer Protections
Thanks to Louisiana responsible gambling practices, sportsbooks make sure bettors always have access to tools that help them maintain control of their playing habits and prevent potential issues.
Louisiana Problem Gambling Helplines
- Louisiana Problem Gamblers Hotline: 1-877-770-7867 (24/7, confidential)
- Louisiana Gaming Control Board: Self-exclusion and regulatory support
- National Council on Problem Gambling: ncpgambling.org – education, screening tools, and treatment referrals
Louisiana Self-Exclusion Program
- Run by the LGCB, covering all casinos, racetracks, and online sportsbooks.
- How to enroll: Online, in-person at a casino/racetrack, or by mail to LGCB, 8585 Archives Avenue, Suite 100, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.
- Duration: 1 year, 5 years, or lifetime.
What Happens If You Self-Exclude:
- Blocked from all betting (online and retail)
- Cannot collect winnings; all bets forfeited
Operator Responsibilities
Every sportsbook must:
- Offer self-exclusion and responsible gambling tools
- Display helpline info clearly on apps, sites, and in retail locations
- Monitor accounts for risky behavior
These safeguards ensure betting in Louisiana stays safe, responsible, and legal, helping players enjoy sports wagering without risking problem gambling.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did sports betting become legal in Louisiana?
Retail launched Jan 28, 2022, and mobile followed in March 2022 after HB 697 passed and 55 parishes approved.
Do I need to be a Louisiana resident?
Nope! Visitors 21+ can bet as long as they’re in an approved parish.
Can I bet on LSU football?
Yes, team outcomes are allowed, but player props for in-state athletes are banned.
What’s the minimum betting age?
21 years old.
Can I bet from anywhere in Louisiana?
Only in approved parishes. Geolocation tech confirms your location.
Which parishes allow sports betting?
55 parishes, including Orleans, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, St. Tammany, Lafayette, Caddo, and Calcasieu.
Which sportsbooks are legal?
Major mobile operators include DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, TheScore Bet, Fanatics, Hard Rock Bet, and BetRivers.
How much does Louisiana tax sports betting?
10% retail, 15% mobile (includes 5% league data fee).
Can I bet on high school sports?
No, all high school and youth sports are prohibited.
How do I self-exclude?
Through the LGCB Self-Exclusion Program, online, in-person, or by mail.
Can I bet on the Saints and Pelicans?
Yes, all professional sports are allowed.
Is mobile betting legal?
Yep, if you’re in a licensed parish.
Do I pay taxes on winnings?
Taxes are collected by the operator on net gaming proceeds, not directly from players.
Where can I get help for problem gambling?
Call 1-877-770-7867 (STOP) or visit www.laproblemgamblers.org