Louisiana Online Gambling
Louisiana was once the center of gambling in the US, with hundreds of land-based casinos in the 1800s. While it’s lost that leading position, it still has plenty of online and retail gambling options for players to enjoy.
However, gamblers have to be aware of the unique rules of LA gambling. Unlike in many states, LA splits its gambling rules by parishes. So, while online sports betting may be legal in one part of the Pelican State, it may be illegal in another. Read our complete guide to find out how to gamble in Louisiana legally. We’ll cover online and retail sports betting, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), the lottery, and casino options.
Best Louisiana State Gambling Sites
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Is online gambling legal in Louisiana?
Different types of online gambling have different rules, and you’ll have to follow the specific regulations for whatever kind of gaming you want to enjoy. For example, online sports betting is legal, but you can only play in 55 out of 64 parishes in Louisiana. DFS is also available, but only in 47 parishes. Still, you can also enjoy online parimutuel horse racing betting across LA.
Online casino gambling is illegal, but instead, you can play casino games for free using sweepstakes casinos. To enjoy most kinds of gambling, you need to be over 21 years old and allow your device to access your geolocation services to prove you’re in a legal parish.
Louisiana Gambling History
The history of gambling in Louisiana dates back to the 1800s when a street in New Orleans was actually named Craps in honor of the famous French table game. Even with such a long history, many of the most significant changes have occurred in the last few decades. Check out our timeline of the changes to Louisiana gambling below.
- 1806: Louisiana prohibits all gambling in the state except for in New Orleans.
- 1815: Louisiana starts licensing casinos and taxing revenues, which were then donated to charity.
- 1835: Louisiana bans all gambling establishments.
- 1866: The Louisiana State Lottery Commission was created.
- 1892: The Louisiana State Lottery Commission is shut down and stops selling tickets.
- 1940: Parimutuel horse racing betting is legalized in Louisiana.
- 1991: Louisiana introduces Video Draw Poker Machines and riverboat casinos.
- 1992: The Chitimacha, Coushatta, and Tunica-Biloxi tribes agree on gaming compacts with the Louisiana government.
- 1993: A sole land-based casino is approved in New Orleans. Harrah’s Entertainment initially owns this.
- 2018: HB 484 passes, which calls for the legality of DFS games to be added to the November ballot.
- November 2018: 44 out of 64 Louisiana parishes vote to allow DFS games.
- 2019: Senator Danny Martiny’s SB 153, which intends to legalize retail sports betting, fails to pass.
- November 2020: 55 of 64 Louisiana parishes vote in favor of sports betting.
- 2020: Louisiana lawmakers pass HB 64, which clarifies DFS tax laws and paves the way for DFS operators to launch.
- October 6, 2021: Joe Horn places the first retail sports bet in Louisiana at Paragon Casino Resort.
- October 31, 2021: The first commercial sportsbook opens at Harrah’s New Orleans.
- January 28, 2022: Online sports betting launches in Louisiana.
Legal Gambling Options in Louisiana
Louisiana has some of the most unique gambling laws in the US, with some types of gambling only being available in certain provinces, others being available everywhere, and some being completely banned. Below, you’ll find a rundown of what types of gambling are legal and when these types of gambling became legal.
| Type of Gambling | Legal? | When Legalized? |
| Online Casinos | No | N/A |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes | 1991 |
| Online Poker | No | N/A |
| Land-Based Poker | Yes | 1991 |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes (55 parishes) | 2021 |
| Retail Sports Betting | Yes (55 parishes) | 2021 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes (47 parishes) | 2020 |
| Horse Racing | Yes | 1940 |
| Lottery | Yes | 1991 |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes | 1986 |
Sports Betting
Following a vote in November 2020, online and retail sports betting was approved in 55 parishes in Louisiana. Governor John Bel Ewards signed SB 247 and SB 142 to legalize sports betting formally. The sports betting bills allowed up to 40 online operators to launch, with each of the 20 approved retail partners permitted two online skins.
You must allow your online sportsbook to access your geolocation services to prove you are playing in a parish that permits online betting. You must also be over 21 and verify your age with a valid photo ID to play. Several sportsbooks live in LA, including operators like ESPN Bet, BetMGM, and DraftKings.
Online Casino
Online casinos remain illegal in Louisiana, which doesn’t look like it will change soon. No lawmakers have ever introduced legislation in support of online casino gaming. However, with the expansion of land-based casinos and the success of online sports betting, lawmakers may consider this in the future.
Poker
Online poker is illegal in Louisiana, but real-life poker has been a mainstay at Louisiana’s casinos since 1991. In fact, the Pelican State has always been essential in poker, and it’s said that poker originated somewhere in Louisiana in 1829, using 20 cards and four players.
Ten card rooms also allow you to play poker legally. The most extensive real-life poker offering is at Harrah’s New Orleans, which has 20 poker tables. This poker room also plays host to several WSOP events each year.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Like with sports betting, Daily Fantasy Sports is legalized parish by parish. In 2018, voters approved DFS games in 47 parishes, a vote initiated through HB 484. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board needs to approve all operators that launch, and you can only play if you’re over 21. The state imposes an 8% tax on any gambling revenue generated from DFS to support early childhood education.
Lottery
Louisiana had a state lottery in the late 1800s. However, allegations of corruption and fraud led to its closure in 1893. The state had no lotteries for almost one hundred years after that. In 1991, the Louisiana Lottery Corporation was established and began selling instant scratch-off games. A year later, it introduced the first draw-style lotto game, Lotto Louisiana.
The Louisiana Lottery started offering daily drawings for Pick 4 in 1999. In 2001, it introduced Power Plays, an optional feature that lets players increase their overall winnings by playing for an extra dollar. Today, the Louisiana Lottery offers a wide variety of games, including big jackpots like Powerball and Mega Millions, scratch-off games, and daily drawings for Pick 3, Pick 4, and Easy 5. The lottery proceeds support various state programs, including public education.
Retail Sportsbooks
As with online sports betting, retail sportsbooks were legalized in 2021. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board approved 20 locations for retail sports betting licenses, including 15 riverboat casinos, four horse racing tracks, and one land-based casino.
The Louisiana Lottery was also permitted to operate a retail sportsbook. Still, as with its online sports betting license, it announced in May 2023 that it’s unlikely to launch its own platform. Ten retail sportsbooks are in operation, including brands like Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
Land-Based Casinos
While online casinos are not allowed in Louisiana, the state has a long history with land-based casinos. When Louisiana joined the US in 1803, New Orleans had more gambling locations than New York City, Baltimore, Boston, and Philadelphia combined. The state fluctuated between encouraging casinos and banning these locations for decades.
However, things changed when US Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, paving the way for Native American tribes to negotiate gaming compacts with the Louisiana government. Riverboat casinos were legalized in 1991, and a land-based casino in New Orleans was approved in 1993.
When you visit these land-based casinos, you can enjoy playing slots, table games, and poker with real money. You must be over 21 and provide a valid photo ID to gamble at these facilities.
Sweepstakes Casinos
Louisiana laws prevent you from playing online casino games for real money, but you can still enjoy free slots, table games, and more using sweepstakes casinos. Sweepstakes are the same as online casinos for all intents and purposes, except you play using virtual currencies like Gold Coins and Sweep Coins instead of cash.
You’ll find games from top developers like NetEnt, IGT, and more available at top sweepstake casinos. These platforms do not need to be licensed state-by-state, so you’ll have plenty of options in LA. Some operators will allow you to exchange Sweeps Coins you win for real-life prizes, too.
How are Gambling Sites Regulated in Louisiana?
Louisiana gambling sites need approval from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board before launching. The Board will test the safety measures of every site before allowing it to go live, ensuring that the odds are fair and security features are modern. All operators must meet a high standard of responsible gambling care before launching.
As a part of its checks, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board runs background checks on all operators in combination with federal bodies, including fingerprint scans and interviews, to ensure reputable companies back all gambling sites. In addition to passing a high bar for safety, online sports betting operators need to partner with a local riverboat casino, horse racing track, or land-based casino before launching.
Responsible Gambling in Louisiana
Like many US states, Louisiana requires all online gambling operators to deliver a high standard of responsible gambling support. All operators licensed by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board must provide account tools like deposit and spend limits, as well as advice on spotting signs of problem gambling.
In addition, you’ll find guidance toward third-party support resources for Louisiana. These services will provide live chats, education on problem gambling, and anonymous meetings for those who need help. You can find some LA resources below.
National Council on Problem Gambling Louisiana
- Call or Text: 1-800-522-4700
- Website: https://www.ncpgambling.org/state/louisiana/
Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling
- Call: 1-877-770-7867
- Website: https://www.helpforgambling.org/
FAQs
Is online gambling legal in Louisiana?
A few online gambling types are legal in Louisiana, including sports betting and Daily Fantasy Sports. Real-money online casino gambling is not available, but you can still enjoy casino games for free using sweepstake casinos.
Can I bet on sports in Louisiana?
Yes, online and retail sports betting are legal in Louisiana. While in many other US states, you can bet anywhere you have a connection, in LA, you must be in a parish that approves sports betting to play legally.
Does Louisiana have any online casinos?
No, online casinos are not legal in Louisiana. However, you can still enjoy playing casino games without risking any real money by signing up with a sweepstakes casino. You can even exchange sweep coins you win for real-life prizes.
Is DFS legal in Louisiana?
Much like online sports betting, Louisiana legalizes Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) on a parish-by-parish basis. In 2018, DFS became legal in 47 parishes, allowing players to access platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel.
Are Louisiana online gambling sites safe?
Absolutely – every online gambling site licensed by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board is safe. The Board puts every operator through strict tests of safety measures and background checks to ensure customers can play in a fair and unbiased environment.
Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Louisiana?
You must pay taxes on gambling winnings in Louisiana. You must declare all your winnings to the IRS and fill out a W-2G form if you win over $600. You must also include your winnings in your state income taxes.
