Louisiana Sports Betting

Since Louisiana began accepting sports betting wagers online in January 2022, Louisiana sports bettors have wagered over $7.1 billion on their favorite sports. The state betting landscape has blossomed since its inception, with 21 retail and online Pelican State sportsbooks accepting over $7.1 billion in wagers.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at five of the top online Louisiana sportsbooks, examine their promos and welcome bonuses, help you navigate through all the legalities, tell you which sports can be bet on, which ones you can’t, and even how Louisiana sports bettors can place their first wager at one of the best Louisiana sportsbooks.

The Best Sportsbook Betting Sites in Louisiana

There are several retail and online sportsbooks legally accepting wagers in Louisiana. It can be a daunting task to sort through them, so oddschecker has detailed everything you need to know about the top five sportsbooks legally operating in the Pelican State.

1. DraftKings Louisiana

DraftKings has teamed up with Golden Nugget Lake Charles to provide the top online sports betting destination in Louisiana. DraftKings became a household name as a daily fantasy operator but has been accepting sports wagers in Louisiana since 2022.

DraftKings' “Bet $5 and Get $200 Instantly” promotion is the best promotional value the Pelican State has on offer. They also offer special odds boosts for the various U.S. professional leagues, which can be a bit restrictive due to their unpredictable early cash-out offers.

DraftKings Louisiana offers a strong Crown Rewards program where users can redeem their points for merchandise in the DraftKings store. The Boston-based oddsmaker boasts numerous methods for deposits with some of the fastest withdrawal speeds in the state.

DraftKings Louisiana offers users a sleek and innovative desktop design with an identical, user-friendly app with clear tabs to easily navigate each of the numerous betting markets on offer. Google Play users give the app a 4.8/5 rating while Apple Store customers grade the app a 4.6/5.

DraftKings posts its betting information on the board much sooner than most of the Louisiana sportsbooks. They boast competitive odds and a robust catalog of futures wagers as well as daily, theme-based odds boosts and other special daily promos for pregame and in-game sports betting action.

DraftKings Louisiana hasn’t officially partnered with any of Louisiana's professional teams, but they do offer special promotions and odds boosts for the numerous pregame and in-game betting markets on offer whenever the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans play their games.

2. FanDuel Louisiana

FanDuel Louisiana began as a daily fantasy sports platform, but they have been on the Louisiana sports betting scene since 2022. FanDuel partners with Boyd Gaming and offers five retail locations (Amelia Belle Casino, Evangeline Downs, Delta Downs, Sam’s Town Casino, and Treasure Chest Casino) to bring Louisiana sports bettors a solid and trusted sports betting brand.

FanDuel Louisiana offers a good “Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets” promotion, which pays out whether your first bet wins or loses.

Signing up for a new FanDuel Louisiana sports betting account is a breeze, and once the account is verified, there are numerous ways to make an instant deposit. From there, the various promotions and odds boosts are easy to find on their simple yet highly efficient desktop and matching app. Both apps are available in iOS and Android and ready to download at the Google Play and Apple stores.

FanDuel Louisiana offers a super rewards program. New Louisiana users will automatically be enrolled in the FanDuel Players Club, where they can earn FanDuel Points that can be redeemed toward any paid contest the Louisiana-based bookmaker has on the board.

FanDuel Louisiana hasn’t partnered with any Louisiana-based professional sports teams, but they will, however, offer several odds boosts and same-game-parlay options whenever the Pelicans or the Saints are in action.

3. BetMGM Louisiana

BetMGM Louisiana is an internationally known gambling and holiday resort destination that has been operating since 2022 in the Pelican State. BetMGM is only available online, but they offer terrific customer service as well as competitive betting odds.

The BetMGM “$1500 First Bet Cover” welcome bonus is a good one as long as you remember the bonus bet is in the amount of the first wager and only activates if the initial wager is graded a loser. The Vegas-based oddsmaker also offers numerous daily promotions, odds boosts, and theme-based parlay tickets for all the major US sports and international sporting events.

It takes a matter of minutes to sign up for a new BetMGM Louisiana sports betting account. Once the account is verified, BetMGM only requires one betting account, which can be accessed anywhere BetMGM has a legal online presence. The company has several deposit options, and their withdrawal times vary with several safe and secure ways to collect your winnings.

BetMGM Louisiana offers numerous pregame, in-game, and futures betting markets, which will surely whet any Louisiana sports bettor's whistle. Due to the numerous betting markets available, the app does have a slight learning curve, but once you get acclimated, the desktop version and app are speedy with very little lag. iOS users give the app a 4.8/5 rating while Google Play users rate it a 4.5/5.

The BetMGM catalog is robust with highly competitive odds for their pregame, in-game, and futures betting markets. Louisiana sports bettors can take advantage of the BetMGM early cash-out feature while watching their wagers unfold by livestreaming the game through the desktop and app.

BetMGM Louisiana hasn’t partnered with any local pro teams, but they will offer odds boosts, numerous teaser cards, and other theme-based parlay options whenever the Pelicans and Saints play their games.

4. bet365 Louisiana

bet365 Louisiana partners with the Amelia Belle Casino, and it has been in operation in the Pelican State since 2023. The UK-based bookmaker has been in business since 2000 and boasts 90 million customers worldwide.

bet365 Louisiana boasts incredible customer service, and its “First Bet Safety Net $1000” or its "Bet $5 Get $150 On Any Sport” welcome bonuses are both huge favorites with LA sports bettors.

In addition to their welcome bonuses, bet365 Louisiana also offers several theme-based odds boosts and same-game parlay markets for its professional and college betting markets, plus numerous teaser promos for whenever the New Orleans Saints or LSU Tigers are in action.

The bet365 Louisiana sign-up process is painless, and once the account is verified, new Louisiana sports bettors will find numerous payment and other trusted banking options. It takes a matter of seconds to make the initial deposit, and once that is accomplished, an extensive sports betting catalog with numerous pregame and in-game sports betting markets awaits the Louisiana sports bettor.

bet365 Louisiana has always been a mobile-first platform, and its desktop and app are highly responsive with very little lag. The app is rated 4.7/5 in both the Google Play and Apple stores with easily distinguishable betting markets and promotions with highlighted tabs.

The company also offers users the opportunity for customers to watch the games they wager on from a high-quality livestream directly from their app or internet browser. The livestreams are why bet365 offers some of the best live betting markets in Louisiana.

5. Caesars Louisiana

Caesars Louisiana is an internationally recognized resort and gambling chain, and it was the first sportsbook allowed to accept wagers in the Pelican State. The Las Vegas-based sports betting colossus also boasts two retail sportsbooks located at Harrah’s New Orleans and another at its Horseshoe Bossier City facility.

The Caesars Louisiana desktop and app are stunning, which makes signing up for a new Caesars Louisiana sports betting account a pleasure. Caesars Louisiana offers numerous deposit options as well as some of the Pelican State's fastest withdrawal times.

Once the new Caesars sports betting account is verified, Louisiana sports bettors can activate an easy-to-find “Get Your First $1000” welcome bonus, but only if the initial wager of up to $1,000 loses. Caesars LA also offers a 100% Longshot Parlay Boost along with a plethora of odds boosts and theme-based parlays for all of your favorite sporting events.

From there, sports bettors can easily find a robust sports betting catalog with often competitive odds for pregame, in-game, and futures betting markets on its highly regarded app, which is available in both iOS and Android.

Caesars boasts exceptional 24/7 customer service along with one of the best rewards programs in Louisiana. The Caesars Rewards Program allows Louisiana sports bettors to accumulate points that can be used toward a holiday at one of their many international and U.S.-based resorts.

Caesars Louisiana is the official sports betting partner of the New Orleans Saints, so expect to find numerous odds boosts and other Saints-related betting markets for an added interest in their games. They will also offer several special odds boosts and parlay cards whenever the New Orleans Pelicans hit the hardwood or for college football games involving the LSU Tigers and the Tulane Green Wave.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Louisiana?

Yes, sports betting is legal in 55 of the 64 Louisiana parishes. Retail sportsbooks began accepting wagers in 2021 with online sportsbooks accepting wagers since 2022. Since 2021, Louisiana sports bettors have wagered over $7.1 billion with the state earning $111,586,707 in additional tax revenue since 2021.

Legal Sportsbooks in Louisiana

Louisiana Online Sportsbooks:

• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• Caesars
• BetRivers
• BetMGM
• bet365
• ESPN Bet
• ClutchBet
• Fanatics Sportsbook

Louisiana Retail Sportsbooks:

• Caesars Harrah’s Retail - Partnered with Caesars
• Caesars Horseshoe Retail - Partnered with Caesars
• DraftKings Golden Nugget Retail - Partnered with DraftKings
• FanDuel Sportsbook Amelia Belle Retail - Partnered with FanDuel
• FanDuel Sportsbook Evangeline Downs Retail - Partnered with FanDuel
• FanDuel Sportsbook Delta Downs Retail - Partnered with FanDuel
• FanDuel Sportsbook Sam’s Town Retail - Partnered with FanDuel
• FanDuel Sportsbook Treasure Chest Casino Retail - Partnered with FanDuel
• The Sportsbook at Bossier City Retail
• The Sportsbook at Boomtown New Orleans Retail
• The Sportsbook at L’Auberge Retail
• The Sportsbook at La Margaritaville Retail

What Are the Legal Requirements for Sports Betting in Louisiana?

While sports betting laws vary from state to state, the applicable laws in Louisiana require that all bettors must be at least 21 years of age and place their bets in a licensed parish within the Louisiana state borders.

The law further states that sports bettors may not legally place a wager for a minor, nor are they allowed to place a bet for anyone other than themselves. LA sports bettors and casino gamblers are required to pay state taxes on any winnings in addition to the 25% federal tax.

Also included in the law is the prohibition of athletes, coaches, referees, umpires, and any other sports official from betting on a sport or sports they actively participate in.

Age Requirement

You must be 21 years old and be able to prove it with either a valid state-issued driver's license, state-issued ID, valid passport, or military ID. Online registrants may also be asked to provide a second piece of identification such as a Social Security card or a recent utility bill.

Wagering at an Approved Louisiana Sportsbook

Louisiana sports bettors are required to place bets at one of the licensed online or retail sportsbooks found on our oddschecker page.

Location Requirement

Louisiana state gambling law also requires that all bettors must be within the Louisiana state borders at the time the wager is placed. Furthermore, sports bettors can’t legally place wagers physically or online or utilize a VPN to mask their online location from the following Louisiana parishes:

• Caldwell
• Catahoula
• Franklin
• Jackson
• La Salle
• Sabine
• Union
• West Carroll
• Winn

Placing Wagers for Minors Is Strictly Prohibited

Louisiana law is strict about making wagers for people who are under the age of 21. Betting for or enticing minors to wager is strictly prohibited and could result in a loss of betting privileges and/or criminal prosecution in the state of Louisiana.

Wagering by Proxy Is Strictly Prohibited

Louisiana sports betting law prohibits Louisiana sports bettors from making wagers on behalf of a third party or sharing their sports betting account with anyone not named on their sports betting account. Failure to adhere to this requirement will result in a loss of your Louisiana sports betting and gambling privileges and forfeiture of any winnings.

Betting Restrictions for Coaches and Athletes

Louisiana gaming law prohibits LA sportsbooks from knowingly accepting wagers from athletes, coaches, referees, and any other sports officials from betting on the sport or sports they physically take part in.

Taxable Winnings

Louisiana sports bettors are required to pay a 25% federal tax on all sports betting winnings but are allowed to deduct any gambling-related losses on their federal tax return.

Louisiana state tax law differs from most other states. In addition to the 25% federal tax, Louisiana sports bettors are levied an additional 5% state tax but aren’t allowed to claim any sports betting or gambling-related losses on their Louisiana state tax return.

How to Bet in Louisiana

1). Select a Sportsbook

The first step is to select one of the legal retail or online LA sportsbooks detailed on this page. Oddschecker recommends registering an account at as many of our best Louisiana sportsbooks as possible to get the best betting lines and odds.

2). Register a Louisiana Sports Betting Account

Once the LA sportsbook is selected, you must register for an online sports betting account. You’ll be asked to provide a valid state-issued driver's license or state-issued ID, valid government passport, or valid military ID. Online registrants may also be asked to provide a second piece of identification such as a recent telephone or utility bill with the same address as the one used to open the account.

3). Claim a Bonus

Once you’ve signed up for a Louisiana sportsbook, it's time to claim your LA sportsbook bonus. Oddschecker has examined and inspected each of the various sportsbook bonuses available, but you must choose the best one to meet your needs. Please read through and fully understand the terms and conditions of each welcome bonus before accepting a Louisiana sportsbook bonus.

4). Deposit Funds

Once a bonus is claimed, it’s now time to make an initial deposit into your LA sports betting account. Our best Louisiana sportsbooks each offer several banking options, as well as online payment gateways like PayPal and PayNearMe, so choose the best banking option and then deposit your funds.

5). Research the Teams Playing

The smart sports bettor is an informed one, and we would encourage you to put some time into researching the teams and players before making a wager. Injuries, team performance, and betting line movements can determine the outcome of a contest and are important things to know before choosing a betting market.

6). Choose a Betting Market

We’ve reached the point where we need to choose a betting market. We need to do as much research when choosing a betting market as we did when choosing an LA sportsbook promotion. The game research should lead you to one of our best Louisiana sportsbooks offering the standard money line, spread, total, parlays, same-game parlays, future bets, teasers, and other betting markets.

7). Place a Wager

Once you’ve selected a betting market, it’s time to place your first wager. Be sure to carefully examine your betting slip for any errors in the stake or changes in the betting lines and odds before tapping the select button.

8). Collect Any Winnings

Depending on the sportsbook, withdrawal times may vary. Deposits happen instantaneously, but it could take up to seven days before your winnings are transferred to your provider of choice.

What Can I Bet on in Louisiana?

Louisiana bettors are permitted to legally wager on professional and college basketball, professional and college football, the NFL Draft, soccer, rugby, cricket, professional and college baseball, professional and college hockey, boxing, MMA, UFC, professional and college tennis, golf, pickleball, the Olympic Games, international soccer, LIV Golf, hockey, basketball, and international baseball.

However, Louisiana sports bettors and legal sportsbooks are prohibited from accepting wagers on some esports, ITF tennis events, college prop bets, and local and national elections as well as entertainment results like the Emmy and Grammy awards.

Louisiana Sports Teams

Millions of sports fans in Louisiana love to support their local teams while enjoying Louisiana sports betting. There are two major league franchises in Louisiana, both based in the state’s biggest city. We’ve listed some key information about each team, so you know the history before you wager.

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are Louisiana’s NFL franchise and play games at the famous Caesars Superdome. For most of Saint’s history from 1966, it was one of the worst teams in the NFL. The franchise posted 20 consecutive losing seasons, earning its first playoff berth and winning season in 1987. The team made the playoffs another four times and won two NFC West titles but was never a serious contender.

That all changed in 2006. The Saints hired Sean Payton as head coach and signed free-agent quarterback Drew Brees. The pair transformed the franchise into one of the best offensive units in the league, winning the Super Bowl in 2010 by beating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17. The team consistently made the playoffs until Brees’ retirement in 2020, claiming six division titles. Brees finished his career holding the record for the most seasons as the passing yards leader. 

New Orleans Pelicans

After launching in 2002, the New Orleans Pelicans are among the youngest franchises in the NBA. The team hasn’t experienced much success, only registering one division title win in 2008. The team has only posted six winning seasons since 2002/03. The franchise was known as the New Orleans Hornets before changing to the Pelicans in 2013.

The most crucial player in the franchise’s history is Anthony Davis, the No. 1 Draft pick for the Pelicans in 2012. Davis is the team’s points, rebounds, blocks, field goal, and free throw leader. He also made it to the All-NBA first team three times while playing for the Pelicans. He was traded to the LA Lakers in 2019 for three players and three first-round draft picks.

LSU Tigers and Lady Tigers

LSU Tigers and Lady Tigers are the names of the men’s and women’s athletics teams from Louisiana State University. LSU sponsors nine men’s and twelve women’s sports sanctioned by the NCAA, and its athletics program is consistently one of the best in the nation, collectively winning fifty national championships. Its most prominent side is its football team, which plays in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). 

LSU Tigers football plays in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and has claimed four national championships. The program played its first game in 1893 and claimed its first national championship in 1958 after a win in the Sugar Bowl. 

It would wait 45 years to claim its second championship, winning in 2003 in controversial circumstances. The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) selected LSU and Oklahoma for its national championship game, while USC, first ranked in the AP poll, was left out. While LSU won the game, the result was a split decision, with LSU being proclaimed national champion in the Coaches Poll and USC topping the AP poll. 

It would next win the national championship in 2007, with the 12-2 Tigers beating Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game to become the first two-loss national champions since 1960. 

The Tigers would next win the national championship in 2019, with QB Joe Burrow setting offensive records. The team claimed the national title by beating Oklahoma 62-28 in the Peach Bowl and Clemson 42-25 in the College Football Playoff (CFP) Championship Game. Pundits have called the 2019 Tigers one of the greatest in college football history.

Tulane Green Wave

Representing Tulane University in New Orleans, the Tulane Green Wave is an NCAA Division I athletics program and member of the American Athletic Conference (The American). The school sponsors seven men’s and ten women’s teams. Its most prominent team is its football program. 

Tulane Green Wave plays in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for football and plays its home games in Yulman Stadium. Established in 1893, the team was a member of the Southeastern Conference from 1932-1965 before spending twenty-nine years as an Independent. In 1996 it joined Conference USA (C-USA), remaining in the conference until its move to The American in 2014. 

The team has won ten championships in five conferences, winning a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) title in 1920, four Southern Conference titles, and three SEC titles. In 2022, it won its first conference championship in The American. In addition, Tulane has appeared in fourteen bowl games, including the Rose Bowl in 1931, Sugar Bowl in 1934 & 1939, and the Cotton Bowl against USC in 2022.

Louisiana Sporting Events

While Louisiana’s major league sports teams get the most attention from sports fans, there are plenty of other teams people love. The college sports teams in LA, like Louisiana State University (LSU), are as popular as any other team in the state. In addition, there are plenty of sports events fans look forward to each year. You can check them out below.

Bayou Classic

Beginning in 1932, the Bayou Classic is a college football game on the calendar of all NCAAF fans. The annual game, held under the name Bayou Classic since 1974, is played between the Southern University Jaguars and the Grambling State University Tigers. The game is always held at the Superdome, although it was moved to Houston, Texas, for a year following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.  

Alongside the football, there is a marching band battle between Southern University’s Human Jukebox and Grambling State University’s Tiger Marching Band. In addition, the South Louisiana Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps run and deliver the game ball from Southern University to the Superdome.  

Sugar Bowl

The Sugar Bowl is one of the oldest bowl games in the US, with a history dating back to 1935. The Bowl game has always had an informal link with the Southeastern Conference but has played host to college football teams from various conferences. The team with the most appearances is the Alabama Crimson Tide, followed closely by the local team LSU.

Since joining the College Football Playoff system, the Sugar Bowl has hosted a semi-final game once every three years. It shares this responsibility with the New Year’s Six, a collection of some of the most famous bowl games.

Zurich Golf Classic

The PGA Tour is one of the biggest global golf events, and the Zurich Golf Classic at TPC Louisiana is a regular on the competition’s schedule. The event has been held since 1938, becoming annual in 1958. In 2017, the Zurich Golf Classic switched to a team event and now has a purse of over $8 million.

The record game for a team was scored in 2022, as Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele scored -29. Chip Beck claimed the individual record in 1999, shooting -26 on his own.

Louisiana Land Based Sportsbooks

Retail sports betting launched before online wagering in Louisiana on October 31, 2021. Most retail sportsbooks are located at land-based casinos partnered with a sports betting brand. There are 23 land-based casinos in the state which can partner with sportsbook brands. You can see the locations where retail sports betting is available below.

Louisiana Responsible Gambling

Louisiana has a state-wide self-exclusion program, where you can prohibit yourself from using any online or retail sportsbook. You must visit the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division and sign the necessary documents with a Division Agent present.

In addition, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board requires sportsbooks to offer responsible gambling resources to players. This includes account tools like deposit and spending limits. There will also be resources on tackling responsible gambling and guidance to third-party organizations that help problem gamblers. 

Louisiana Sports Betting Handle

Most states in the US will post monthly betting handles to show how the marketing is performing. A betting handle tells you how much money all the sportsbooks in a state saw throughout a month, whether bets were wins or losses. It is a great way to see the popularity of Louisiana sports betting and any trends caused by legislation changes or sports.