Louisiana Betting: Guide to Louisiana Sports Betting Sites

Louisiana is beloved by locals and tourists for its booming gambling scene, with its riverboat casinos being one of the most well-known icons of the state. Unfortunately, sports betting is still illegal in LA, meaning that for the time being Louisiana sports betting sites are unable to shine as bright as their riverboat counterparts. As we are unable to recommend the best Louisiana online sportsbooks, we’ve instead dedicated this page to look into the other betting options available.

We’ve also discussed what the future outlook of the industry is to give you a better idea of when you can expect a legal betting market. Of course, you may be tempted to sign up for offshore betting sites, but we highly recommend against this. Not only are these sites unlicensed and illegal, but they may be offering unsafe products.

Current State of Louisiana Sports Betting

At the end of 2020, Louisianans will be able to vote in a referendum to decide whether or not they want to legalize sports betting. The law will be decided on a parish-by-parish basis, meaning that even if two-thirds of parishes approve of the law, those that voted against it will not need to offer sports betting. For the time being, it seems very likely that a majority of voters want the change.

In addition to this, a majority of lawmakers also see the benefits of legalized sports betting. As Louisiana does have some conservative elements, much of the opposition seems to stem from different religious organizations. That being said, this opposition wasn’t enough to prevent daily fantasy sports from being legalized in 2018. In the event the law is legalized, it won’t just be the best Louisiana online sportsbooks that will be regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board – all of them will be.

For the time being, you may be tempted to sign up to out-of-state or offshore bookmakers that pose as legal Louisiana sports betting sites. We highly advise against signing up to these unlicensed websites as they are accepting players illegally. It’s worth considering that if websites are already breaking the law to accept players in illegal jurisdictions, what’s to stop them from ripping off customers and offering unfair odds?

Can Louisiana Residents Use Daily Fantasy Sports Apps?

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) is a fantasy competition game which sees contestants create lineups of teams from major sports leagues such as the NFL and NBA. At the end of every competition period, which can be as short as a day and as long as a week, players earn points based on the real-life performance of players. Because of the skill involved in winning, the DFS is differentiated to gambling even though money can be won.

Despite the fact that DFS was legalized in a voter referendum in 2018, the state is yet to launch DFS betting. This is because lawmakers are continuing to debate a number of issues surrounding the regulations of DFS, including the kind of bets that will be allowed and how much fees and tax operators will need to pass.

There is no clear timeline as to when DFS will be able to launch, so for the time being we suggest you consider DFS illegal until it is launched. Once DFS does launch though, expect the popular operators DraftKings and FanDuel to offer their apps to players. We expect both to also be two legal Louisiana online bookies in the case that online Louisiana sports betting sites are legalized.

Louisiana Online Casinos

Louisiana is one of a few states that specifically outlaws gambling with computers and the internet. For this reason, it’s very clear that online casino gambling is not legal. Instead, players can wager their real money at the L’Auberge Casino and Hotel in Baton Rouge or the Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans.

The closest things to Louisiana online gambling sites would be legal online social casinos. These social casinos offer a suite of traditional casino games such as slot machines and poker, though they do not accept real money. However, at times these casinos allow for Sweepstakes competitions, which can reward players with cash prizes despite no cash wagers being made.

Online State Lottery in Louisiana

The Louisiana Lottery was established in 1991 to help raise funds for state education programs. The games are run by the Louisiana Lottery Corporation and include national draw games such as the Powerball and Mega Millions and smaller in-state only games.

For the time being, Louisianans are not able to buy lottery tickets online. Ticket sales must be made in-person with licensed retailers. However, the lottery website is a great source of information for game odds, draw schedules, and unclaimed jackpots for different draws and scratch games.

Off Track Horse Betting in Louisiana

A great alternative to sports betting is horse race betting, which is a popular industry in Louisiana. The state is currently home to four tracks including the Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, the Fair Grounds, and Louisiana Downs. The biggest of all Louisiana races is undoubtedly the Louisiana Derby which is a key prep race for the Kentucky Derby.

For those who can’t make it to the racetrack, there are more than a dozen off-track betting parlors in the state. Unfortunately, there are no legal Louisiana online bookies that accept horse racing bets – all race bets must be made in person.

What Could You Bet on in a Legal Sports Betting Market?

To get an idea about what sports betting would look in Louisiana, we just need to look at how other states have legalized the market. In all cases, bettors are able to place wagers on major sports leagues. This means that sports bettors can wager on New Orleans Saints games. Some states even allow for bets on college division games, which Louisiana’s current bill permits, and eSports.

These bets and the best online betting sites that offer them will all be regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board to ensure that the integrity of the sports are maintained. New players at top sites, can also take advantage of bonus offers.As Louisiana’s gambling market is the fifth-largest in the USA, it’s likely that sports betting will generate tens of millions of dollars in annual tax revenues. However, as many states have proven, online gambling is the biggest moneymaker, so the Bayou State should really consider legalizing Louisiana sports betting sites.

Final Thoughts

Until voters in Louisiana decide whether or not to legalize Louisiana sports betting sites or simply in-person wagers, gamblers in the state will need to wait to place legal wagers. Fortunately, all signs are pointing to voters approving of the market. Louisiana is a gambling-friendly state, so it’s unlikely they’ll vote against this particular measure.

As we can’t recommend the best Louisiana online sportsbooks yet, we suggest Louisianans make the most of their great casino, lottery, and horse racing gambling options. We also expect that DFS legalization is just around the corner, so keep an eye out on this page for any updates on the matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have questions regarding Louisiana sports betting sites and when they may be legalized in the future, we have you covered. Below, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions about Louisiana’s gambling industry to ensure that you are choosing the safest, legal gambling options.