Louisiana Sports
Betting Guide
Your complete, independent guide to legal sports betting in the Pelican State. Compare all 8 licensed sportsbooks, claim the best bonuses, and start betting responsibly.
Best Louisiana Sportsbooks
All 8 licensed online sportsbooks operating in Louisiana, independently reviewed and ranked. Each operator is regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and fully legal for anyone 21+ within state lines.
FanDuel
Overall Experience- Most popular LA sportsbook
- Partnered with Boyd Gaming
- Best same-game parlay builder
DraftKings
Market Depth- DiamondJacks Casino partner
- Launched day one Jan 2022
- Deep live betting markets
BetMGM
Highest Bonus- Amelia Belle Casino partner
- MGM Rewards integration
- Strong NFL markets for Saints fans
Caesars Sportsbook
Saints Fans- Caesars Superdome naming rights
- Harrahs New Orleans retail
- Caesars Rewards program
bet365
Best Bonus Value- Best daily boosts in LA
- 40+ sports covered
- Early cash out feature
Fanatics Sportsbook
Merch Rewards- FanCash for merchandise rewards
- Clean modern interface
- Strong college football markets
BetRivers
Pelicans Fans- Official Pelicans betting partner
- Strong loyalty program
- Reliable platform
theScore Bet
News Integration- PENN Entertainment backed
- Formerly ESPN BET
- News integration
Welcome Bonus Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of every welcome offer available to new Louisiana bettors.
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Condition | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | Get $300 Back in Bonus Bets | Over 10 days — daily no-sweat bets | $5 |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Instantly + NCAA Tournament profit boost | $5 |
| BetMGM | Up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets | If your first bet loses + $50 Rewards | $10 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Bet $1, Double Winnings Next 10 Bets | 100% profit boosts on next wagers | $10 |
| bet365 | Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets | Win or lose — guaranteed | $10 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Bet $5, Get $200 FanCash Instantly | Or up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash | $5 |
| BetRivers | Check site for latest offer | iRush Rewards loyalty program | $10 |
| theScore Bet | Up to $1,000 Back | Rebranded from ESPN BET in Dec 2025 | $10 |
How to Start Betting in Louisiana
From choosing a sportsbook to placing your first wager, here is exactly how to get started with legal sports betting in the Pelican State.
Choose a Sportsbook
Pick a licensed Louisiana sportsbook from our reviewed list above. Each operator is regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Create Your Account
Provide your name, email, address, phone number, and last four digits of your SSN. Geolocation confirms you are in Louisiana.
Claim Your Bonus
Enter any promo code during registration or on your first deposit. Each sportsbook has unique welcome offers — compare before committing.
Fund & Start Betting
Make your first deposit via bank transfer, debit card, PayPal, or other accepted methods. Most sportsbooks have $5-$10 minimums.
What Can You Bet On?
Louisiana sportsbooks cover all major professional and college sports.
NFL
New Orleans Saints — Caesars Superdome is one of the most iconic venues in football. Super Bowl futures, player props
NBA
New Orleans Pelicans (BetRivers official partner) — Zion Williamson era, player props, futures
College Football
LSU Tigers (SEC), Tulane Green Wave, ULL Ragin Cajuns — deep SEC football culture and bowl betting
College Basketball
LSU Tigers (mens and womens), March Madness, SEC Tournament action
MLB
No in-state team — Astros, Rangers, Cardinals popular. Full MLB coverage, World Series futures
NHL
No in-state team — Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators popular. Full NHL coverage, Stanley Cup futures
Horse Racing
Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans — pari-mutuel and fixed-odds wagering on thoroughbred racing
UFC / MMA
Title fights, main cards, round betting, method of victory props
Louisiana Sports Betting Laws
📜 HB 697 / SB 247
Louisiana legalized sports betting through HB 697 / SB 247, signed by Governor John Bel Edwards in 2021. Online betting launched on January 28, 2022. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board oversees all operations.
💰 Tax Structure
Operators pay 21.5% Online / 10% Retail. Revenue supports state programs including responsible gambling initiatives and education.
📋 Licensing
Louisiana allows up to 20 licenses. Currently 8 operators are live and accepting wagers.
🎓 College Betting
Louisiana allows betting on all in-state college teams including the LSU Tigers, Tulane Green Wave, and other Louisiana universities — spreads, moneylines, and totals are all available. However, college player prop bets were banned in April 2024 to protect student-athlete welfare.
📍 Retail Sportsbooks
Louisiana has 19 retail sportsbooks at casinos and racinos in approved parishes, including Caesars Superdome, Harrah's New Orleans, Boomtown Casino, Paragon Casino, L'Auberge Lake Charles, and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge. The Louisiana Lottery also operates kiosks at bars, restaurants, and truck stops.
🔒 Age & Location
You must be at least 21 years old and physically located within Louisiana to place legal sports bets. Residency is not required. Geolocation technology verifies your location.
Key Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in Louisiana?
Yes, but only in 55 of Louisiana's 64 parishes. Voters approved sports betting via ballot measure in November 2020, and online betting launched January 28, 2022. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates the industry.
Which Louisiana parishes dont allow sports betting?
Nine parishes voted against legal sports betting and remain off-limits: Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, La Salle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll, and Winn. You cannot place legal bets in these parishes even with a licensed sportsbook account — geolocation technology enforces this. All other parishes including Orleans (New Orleans) and East Baton Rouge are fully legal.
How old do I have to be to bet in Louisiana?
You must be at least 21 years old to place sports bets in Louisiana, whether online or at a retail sportsbook.
How many sportsbooks are in Louisiana?
There are 8 licensed online sportsbooks in Louisiana: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics, BetRivers, and theScore Bet. The state allows up to 20 total licenses with 2 skins each (40 potential online operators).
Can I bet on LSU Tigers games?
Yes, you can bet on all LSU Tigers games including football and basketball — spreads, moneylines, totals, and futures are all available. However, player prop bets on college athletes are banned statewide as of April 2024.
Do I need to be a Louisiana resident?
No. Anyone 21 or older who is physically located within one of the 55 approved parishes can place legal sports bets. Geolocation technology verifies your location.
What is the tax rate on Louisiana sports betting?
Louisiana taxes online sportsbooks at 21.5% of adjusted gross revenue (raised from 15% in 2025 via HB 639) and retail sportsbooks at 10%. Individual bettors also owe federal and state income taxes on winnings.
Can I bet on the New Orleans Saints?
Absolutely. The Saints are Louisianas most-bet team, with every game drawing significant wagering volume from the passionate fanbase at the Caesars Superdome. All major LA sportsbooks offer deep markets on Saints games including moneylines, spreads, totals, player props, and futures.
Are retail sportsbooks available?
Yes. Louisiana has 19 retail sportsbooks at casinos and racinos across the approved parishes, including Caesars Superdome, Harrahs New Orleans, Boomtown Casino, Paragon Casino, and LAuberge Lake Charles. The Louisiana Lottery also operates kiosks at bars, restaurants, and truck stops statewide.