Louisiana Sports Betting: Best Legal LA Sportsbooks in 2023

Louisiana sports betting updates

Louisiana sports betting was officially legalized on June 22, 2021, when Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the state’s two final pieces of sports betting legislation into law.

Here’s a summary of Louisiana’s sports betting journey to date:

Nov. 21, 2022: Sports betting in Louisiana hits a record high in October as the state records its largest handle — $255.5 million — to date.

Sept. 22, 2022: PointsBet launches in Louisiana, making it an even dozen states where U.S. players can access its online sportsbook. 

Sept. 7, 2022: Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held to inaugurate the opening of two new Louisiana Caesars retail sportsbooks: Caesars retail sportsbooks: Harrah's New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel & Casino.

July 11, 2022: Caesars announces the opening of a new sportsbook at Harrah's New Orleans this fall, in addition to an all-new World Series of Poker Room as part of a $325-million conversion of the space, soon to be renamed Caesars New Orleans.

April 25, 2022: BlueBet Holdings Ltd reaches a 10-year market access agreement with Louisiana Downs in Bossier City. BlueBet will operate a new online sportsbook in Louisiana under its U.S. brand, ClutchBet.

March 14, 2022: In its first full month with legal mobile wagering (February), Louisiana brought in a record $238 million in sports betting handle. Nearly 90% of that amount was due to online and mobile wagering. 

Feb. 14, 2022: Payments platform Paysafe begins processing mobile sports betting deposits in Louisiana.

Feb. 10, 2022: Fubo Gaming reveals it has gained market access for Fubo Sportsbook in Louisiana via Caesars Entertainment, Inc.

Feb. 9, 2022: WynnBET launches online operations in Louisiana. BetRivers Sportsbook becomes the official betting partner of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Jan. 28, 2022: Louisiana officially launches legal online and mobile sports betting in 55 parishes, with six operators going live.

Jan. 26, 2022: Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns announces that LA will launch online wagering on Jan. 28, 2022, in the 55 parishes that voted in favor of sports gambling.

Jan. 25, 2022: WynnBET announces its pre-registration offer is now live in Louisiana. Bettors can make a deposit of $10 — followed by a $10 wager when the sportsbook launches — to receive $250 in free bets.

Jan. 20, 2022: A Louisiana Gaming Control Board meeting concludes with no mention of a launch date for mobile sports betting.

Jan. 12, 2022: Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns tells Covers, "We are getting close to the rollout of mobile betting. I cannot give you a definitive date, but the Gaming Division at LA State Police is working overtime to get through the compliance and suitability issues with the vendors." Johns also highlights geofencing technology as something the state needs to perfect. Nine LA parishes chose not to approve sports betting in November 2020.

Jan. 5, 2022: Boyd Gaming announces plans to begin construction of a 47,000-square-foot replacement for Treasure Chest Casino. The new land-based project is expected to get underway this summer in Kenner, LA, with the hopes of opening its doors late in 2023.

Dec. 9, 2021: After soft launches a day earlier, FanDuel officially opens two retail sportsbooks in Louisiana casinos — Treasure Chest Casino and Delta Downs. Three more FanDuel locations are expected to open their doors in the coming weeks.

Nov. 16, 2021: Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns reiterates the state's focus on getting all 20 retail sportsbooks up and running in Louisiana. With eight locations operational and five licenses to be handed out in the coming weeks, LA will soon be left with seven properties that have yet to submit applications. Online and mobile sports betting will be next on the agenda.

Nov. 11, 2021: A ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the opening of the DraftKings Sportsbook at Golden Nugget Casino Lake Charles, while the Penn National Gaming run Sportsbook at L’Auberge opens its doors, too.

Nov. 8, 2021: DraftKings announces plans for a new retail sportsbook at Golden Nugget Casino Lake Charles, pending regulatory approvals. 

Oct. 31, 2021: Caesars Sportsbook goes live at Harrah's New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City Casino. The two retail locations are the first to offer legal sports betting at a Louisiana commercial casino.

Oct. 6, 2021: Louisiana sports betting is live as Paragon Casino Resort launches a Betfred Sportsbook — the first retail sportsbook in the state.

Sept. 30, 2021: WynnBET gained market access in Louisiana, which marked the 17th U.S. jurisdiction in which its platform has secured a footprint.

June 22, 2021: Gov. John Bel Edwards signs SB 142 and SB 247 into law. Edwards had signed a third piece of sports betting legislation, HB 697, on June 7.

May 2021: HB 697 and SB 247 move through the Senate. These bills outline sports betting tax rates — 10% and 15% on in-person and online bets, respectively — and the number of licenses (20) that will be made available.

Nov. 3, 2020: Voters in 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes agree to welcome sports betting into their communities.

May 14, 2018: SCOTUS (The Supreme Court of the United States) strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). This sets the stage for legal sports betting in the United States and allows individual states to set their own rules and regulations.

Why DraftKings is the best sportsbook in Louisiana

Since DraftKings Sportsbook came online in January 2022, it has ascended the ranks to become the best sportsbook in Louisiana. Covers has bestowed this distinction upon them due to an excellent overall product that boasts innovative touches, an exceptional mobile app, and strong betting odds.

New DraftKings customers in the Bayou State can enjoy a bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets offer without the need for a promo code. Once you've signed up and deposited funds into your account, you can place a qualifying wager of at least $5 on any sports market to get $200 in bonus bets. Hurry, though — the offer expires on Feb. 12, 2023.

The DraftKings mobile app is our personal favorite — available via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store — thanks largely to its overall design and utility. Access to 24/7 customer support and integration with daily fantasy sports has DraftKings landing on our list of best sports betting apps for 2023.

Securing the best price remains a top priority for LA bettors, and we found competitive betting odds for top-tier matchups and events. Check out our expert DraftKings Sportsbook review to learn more about Louisiana’s top sportsbook.

Best offers and bonuses in Louisiana

With mobile betting now live, Louisiana sportsbooks are putting their best foot forward to capture the attention of LA bettors.

Here are the top Louisiana sports betting bonuses for 2023:

Caesars Sportsbook - Up To $1,250 On Caesars: Caesars has a huge offer for new bettors in the Pelican State. If customers make their first wager and lose, they will have that amount refunded (up to $1,250) in bet credit. The bonus will appear in an account within two days and must be used within 14 days of receipt. Additionally, Caesars is gifting new users 1,000 Caesars Rewards® Tier Credits and 1,000 Caesars Rewards Reward Credits. Use promo code COVERSBONUSFULL at sign-up.

FanDuel - $3,000 No Sweat First Bet: FanDuel continues tweaking its welcome offers in Louisiana. New customers can get up to a $3,000 no sweat first bet by placing an initial wager on any sports market. If your wager fails, you'll get your money returned, up to $3,000, to your account as bonus bets within 72 hours of it settling.

BetMGM - $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets: Those who sign up with BetMGM LA will be eligible for a first bet offer of up to $1,000 paid back in bonus bets. If a bettor loses their initial wager, the stake will be returned in the form of five $200 bonus bets.

PointsBet - Claim up to $500 in free bets: PointsBet Louisiana is giving new users up to $500 in free bets with promo code 5X100RC. This offer applies to the first five fixed odds bets made after registration, one in each of the first five days, to a maximum of $100 each.

BetRivers - Up to a $500 free bet: Bettors who use promo code SPORTS can place their first bet, up to $500, risk-free. If you lose your first wager, BetRivers will return the full amount as a free bet.

Terms and conditions apply to all bonuses and promotional offers.

Top six Louisiana betting sites

The best sportsbooks feature snappy mobile apps, generous welcome bonuses, and competitive odds. Don't hesitate to sign up with any of the sportsbooks below. Here are our top six Louisiana betting sites:

1. DraftKings Louisiana

Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets

No code required

Claim Now

The DraftKings mobile betting app is an essential download for any Louisiana sports bettor. The sportsbook features an intuitive layout, responsive buttons, quick and secure banking, and much more. DraftKings LA also has an extensive and well-organized collection of sports, generous odds boosts, and plenty of unique promos.

Our DraftKings Review digs deeper into key features, supported banking methods, and more.

• App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets
• Payout speed: 1-3 days

2. FanDuel Louisiana

$3,000 No Sweat First Bet

No code required

Claim Now

FanDuel Louisiana, in partnership with Boyd Gaming, continues to impress Bayou State bettors since its Jan. 28, 2022 launch. FanDuel and its revised Super Bowl welcome offer — a $3,000 no sweat first bet — gives new customers multiple chances to boost their fledgling bankroll. Plus, the operator's sports betting app is among the top mobile offerings in the nation, especially when it comes to live sports betting. 

Check out our FanDuel Review for an expert breakdown of everything the sportsbook has to offer.

• App store rating: 4.5 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $3,000 no sweat first bet
• Payout speed: 1-5 days

3. BetMGM Louisiana

$1,000 back in bonus bets

No code required

Claim Now

With its slick sports betting app and lucrative welcome offer, BetMGM burst onto the Louisiana sports betting scene in early 2022. The BetMGM app is one of Covers' preferred options for first-time bettors due to its ease of use and competitive odds. BetMGM is one of the more trusted brands in the sports betting industry, and the operator is proving its worth in Louisiana.

Read all about BetMGM Louisiana in our BetMGM Review.

• App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.3 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $1,000 back in bonus bets
• Payout speed: 2-8 days

4. Caesars Louisiana

Up to $1,250 on Caesars

COVERSBONUSFULL

Claim Now

The first sportsbook to take a legal online bet in the Pelican State, Caesars Sportsbook Louisiana has the largest welcome bonus for new users. LA bettors can wager up to $1,250, and if they lose, receive the total amount back as bet credit. Caesars LA offers a user-friendly app with phenomenal customer support making it one of our best Louisiana sports betting sites.

Read our Caesars Sportsbook Review for more on Louisiana's best sportsbook.

• App store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.1 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Up to $1,250 on Caesars
• Payout speed: 1-5 days

5. PointsBet Louisiana

Up to $500 in free bets

Code: 5X100RC

Claim Now

Louisiana bettors can always expect some outside-the-box betting types from PointsBet. The Australian-based sportsbook tends to promote enticing, higher-risk wagers with substantial payouts. PointsBet has over 150 live betting markets and stellar customer service. New PointsBet users can use promo code 5X100RC during registration to receive up to $500 in free bets.

Check out our PointsBet Review for a comprehensive evaluation of PointsBet LA.

• App store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Up to $500 in free bets
• Payout speed: 1-5 days

6. BetRivers Louisiana

Up to a $500 free bet

Code: SPORTS

Claim Now

The BetRivers app boasts some of the best odds boosts and a generous collection of sports betting promos. The clean app layout and generous iRush Rewards program keep users locked in. BetRivers may not stand out in a crowded Louisiana sports betting market, but it certainly shows out well amid a lineup of industry giants.

Refer to our BetRivers Review for a more in-depth look into BetRivers LA.

• App store rating: 4.5 (iOS), 3.8 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Up to a $500 free bet
• Payout speed: 1-14 days

What sportsbooks are legal in Louisiana?

Louisiana welcomed 8 online sportsbooks in 2022, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. Betfred expects to launch its online platform sometime in 2023.

So far, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board has approved the following online operators:

1. DraftKings - Best mobile app
   
   
2. FanDuel - Intuitive menus
   
   
3. BetMGM - Best for banking
   
   
4. Caesars - Largest bonus
   
   
5. PointsBet - Unique features
   
   
6. BetRivers - Best for new bettors
   
   
7. WynnBET - Trusted brand
   
   
8. Barstool - Lots of markets
   
   
9. Betfred - Coming soon (2023)

Legal sportsbooks in Louisiana

Mobile sports betting launched in Louisiana on Jan. 28, 2022. Several online operators have already tapped into the LA market and are offering sign-up bonuses to state residents.

Online and mobile Louisiana sportsbooks

Online sportsbook	Mobile app	Odds provider	Online casino	Retail partner	Launch date
Barstool	Yes	Kambi	No	L’Auberge Casino	Jan. 28, 2022
Betfred Sports	Yes	Playtech	No	Paragon Casino Resort	2023 (est.)
BetMGM	Yes	BetMGM	No	Boyd Gaming	Jan. 28, 2022
BetRivers	Yes	Kambi	No	Coushatta Casino Resort	Jan. 28, 2022
Caesars	Yes	Caesars	No	Harrah’s New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City	Jan. 28, 2022
DraftKings	Yes	SBTech	No	Golden Nugget Casino Lake Charles	Jan. 28, 2022
FanDuel	Yes	Flutter	No	Boyd Gaming	Jan. 28, 2022
PointsBet	Yes	PointsBet	No	PENN Entertainment	Sept. 22, 2022
WynnBET	Yes	GAN	No	Caesars (TBD)	Feb. 9, 2022

Land-based Louisiana sportsbooks

Sportsbooks are opening at a rapid pace throughout Southwest Louisiana, marking the state’s largest gaming expansion in decades.

Online sports betting: How does it work in Louisiana?

Louisiana has taken a decidedly different approach to legalize sports betting. The Pelican State is the first U.S. state to allow its parishes (similar to counties) to decide the fate of the best sports betting sites in each of their communities.

Legal mobile wagering debuted on Jan. 28, 2022, and immediately saw six operators launch their respective mobile apps. Caesars Sportsbook was the first to take a bet — an $80 wager on the Cincinnati Bengals moneyline at +285 for a potential win of $228. The state's first retail sportsbook — Betfred Sports at Paragon Casino Resort — debuted on Oct. 6, 2021.

Expect to see up to 20 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks and 41 Louisiana sports betting sites. 

Interact with our U.S. legal tracker for updates on the states with legal sports betting and those on the path to legalized sports betting.

Latest Louisiana betting news

Who can bet on sports in Louisiana?

Sports betting is live in Louisiana, as the first retail and online sportsbooks have opened their physical and virtual doors to the public. Adults 21 and over are permitted to place legal sports bets in the Pelican State.

However, nine of the 64 parishes in Louisiana voted not to allow sports betting within their borders. Hence, both retail and mobile wagering remains illegal in the following locations: Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, LaSalle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll, and Winn.

Here's a quick breakdown of everything you'll need to know before you place your first LA sports bet.

The pros and cons of Louisiana sports betting

Louisiana projects to be a highly competitive sports betting market — and this is great news for sports bettors. As Louisiana sportsbooks compete for your business, you’ll be offered plenty of sign-up bonuses as you prepare to place your first sports wagers in the Pelican State.

Now that online sports betting is available in Louisiana, the state is on the fast track to realizing its full potential.

Eight active online sportsbooks, with dozens more expected

Betting on in-state college teams is permitted

Remote registration available

College prop bets are not allowed

No esports betting

How to start betting in Louisiana

LA sports bettors can place wagers at home with Louisiana sports betting sites or visit brick-and-mortar locations to get in on the action in person. With remote registration in the cards, betting on sports in the Pelican State is as convenient as it is enjoyable.

What you can't bet on in Louisiana

Although Louisiana bettors are now permitted to legally place online wagers on sports, there are still numerous other types of events — such as esports — that remain off-limits.

Politics

Louisiana gamblers are not permitted to gamble on any political event. 

Entertainment award ceremonies

Louisianans are not expected to be able to bet on celebrity and pop-culture events, such as the Academy Awards.

esports

Unsurprisingly, betting on esports is illegal in Louisiana. This is unlikely to change until sports betting rules and regulations have been established, and even then, it’s no guarantee.

What about Louisiana college sports?

Louisianans can bet on any college game in the nation. While many other states have deemed in-state college teams off-limits, Louisiana will put no such limitations in place. Unfortunately, there does appear to be a ban on individual prop bets on collegiate athletes.

LA sports betting handle

Thirteen of Louisiana's 20 brick-and-mortar casinos have been formally authorized to open sportsbooks to accommodate in-person betting. 

The Paragon Casino Resort — owned by the state's Tunica-Biloxi Tribe — accepted the state's first legal retail wager. However, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board doesn't have regulatory control over tribal establishments. 

Louisiana's sports betting earnings will be documented here:

Yearly breakdown

Monthly handle

Home team advantage: Louisiana sports

Now that sports betting has fully arrived in the Pelican State, fans will be tempted to back their home team squads with their bankroll. The truth is, this could be a costly mistake.

Don’t let your hometown pride cloud your judgment, and always be sure to do your due diligence before betting on any team in any league.

Check out our how to bet guides for basic tips and advanced strategies.

NHL

Dallas Stars

Get live NHL odds

NBA

New Orleans Pelicans

Get live NBA odds

NFL

New Orleans Saints

Get live NFL odds

MLB

Houston Astros

Get live MLB odds

Other types of gambling

The Pelican State has a rich gambling history that dates back to the 18th century. Today, you can find 15 riverboat casinos, four racetracks, and one land-based casino in Louisiana.

On Monday, July 11, 2022, Caesars announced the opening of a new sportsbook at Harrah's New Orleans, plus a new World Series of Poker Room. The upgrades to the existing space are part of a $325-million transformation, which will soon change its name to Caesars New Orleans.

While mobile sports wagering is no longer off-limits in Louisiana, there are still limitations when it comes to other forms of online gambling. Failing to adhere to any state rules concerning online gambling can lead to some severe penalties, so it’s best to stay away from unregulated offshore websites.

Quick facts: Louisiana sports betting

Louisiana's sports betting market is steadily growing and will eclipse one billion in total handle for 2022. 

Consult this table for the most crucial LA sports betting facts:

Responsible gaming in Louisiana

Problem gambling exists in every state. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available to Louisianans who feel they’re in over their heads. The Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling aims to educate, prevent, and treat problem gambling via a series of helplines and recovery centers.

Individuals may also voluntarily exclude themselves from all betting activity by joining a self-exclusion program. Sportsbooks will also provide players with tools to limit their betting activity. The option to set deposit, wager and loss limits will allow players to bet responsibly.

Legal U.S. sports betting markets

Louisiana isn't the first U.S. state to legalize and regulate sports betting. The following jurisdictions have also introduced sports gambling laws:

Arizona

Arkansas

Colorado

Connecticut

DC

Delaware

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Mississippi

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

Tennessee

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Upcoming legal U.S. sports betting launches

Legal Maryland betting sites arrived in November 2022, while Ohio sportsbooks are now fully operational as of Jan. 1, 2023.

Some of the biggest names in sports betting are about to enter another major U.S. market. Massachusetts betting sites may not arrive until March 2023, but retail sportsbooks could begin accepting legal wagers in January.

Potential legal U.S. sports betting markets

Numerous states moving toward legal sports betting have yet to get legislation across the finish line. These are the ones with the potential to offer legal sports gambling soon:

Alabama

California

Florida

Georgia

Kentucky

Minnesota

Missouri

Oklahoma

Louisiana sports betting conclusion

Louisiana sports betting is set to explode as the number of sites currently live sits at eight, with numerous more planning to launch. Louisiana sportsbooks do not come without their limitations — bettors cannot access college player props, e-sports, or online casino sites.

Between the launch of several retail sportsbooks and Lousiana betting sites, we expect the total handle to increase rapidly. Louisiana is a competitive and high-upside state that is just scratching the surface of its sports betting potential.