Live in Louisiana Updated May 2026

Louisiana Sports
Betting Guide

Louisiana sports betting is live in the Pelican State. Compare all 8 licensed sportsbooks, claim the best bonuses, and start betting responsibly.

8Licensed Sportsbooks
21+Minimum Age
$305MFeb 2026 Handle
55/64Parishes Legal
Legal SinceJan 28, 2022
RegulatorLouisiana Gaming Control Board
Tax Rate21.5% Online / 10% Retail
License CapacityUp to 20 Licenses
Expert Reviewed

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.

#1

FanDuel

Overall Experience
★★★★☆ 4.8/5
Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets
If first bet wins · NBA Finals + MLB regular-season focus · valid through June 30, 2026
Claim Bonus →
  • Most popular LA sportsbook
  • Partnered with Boyd Gaming
  • Best same-game parlay builder
Min Deposit$5
Withdrawal24-48 hours
App Rating4.8 ★
Read full FanDuel review →
#2

DraftKings

Market Depth
★★★★☆ 4.8/5
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Instantly + 20% deposit match up to $1,000 secondary · valid through July 1, 2026
Claim Bonus →
  • DiamondJacks Casino partner
  • Launched day one Jan 2022
  • Deep live betting markets
Min Deposit$5
Withdrawal24-72 hours
App Rating4.8 ★
Read full DraftKings review →
#3

BetMGM

Highest Bonus
★★★★☆ 4.7/5
Up to $1,500 First Bet Refund
Stake refunded as bonus bets if first bet loses · LA retains $1,500 legacy tier · valid through July 31, 2026
Claim Bonus →
  • Amelia Belle Casino partner
  • MGM Rewards integration
  • Strong NFL markets for Saints fans
Min Deposit$10
Withdrawal24-72 hours
App Rating4.6 ★
Read full BetMGM review →
#4

Caesars

Saints Fans
★★★★☆ 4.7/5
10× 100% Profit Boost Tokens
$1 qualifying bet · $25 max stake each · valid through Aug 18, 2026
Claim Bonus →
  • Caesars Superdome naming rights
  • Harrah's New Orleans retail
  • Caesars Rewards program
Min Deposit$10
Withdrawal24-72 hours
App Rating4.7 ★
Read full Caesars review →
#5

bet365

Best Bonus Value
★★★★☆ 4.6/5
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
If first bet wins · LA-tailored offer (five $30 bonus bets across NBA Finals/MLB) · valid through June 30, 2026
Claim Bonus →
  • Best daily boosts in LA
  • 40+ sports covered
  • Early cash out feature
Min Deposit$10
Withdrawal24-48 hours
App Rating4.5 ★
Read full bet365 review →
#6

Fanatics

Merch Rewards
★★★★☆ 4.5/5
10× $100 Bet Matches over 10 Days
Up to $1,000 total in FanCash · auto-applied, no code · valid through July 4, 2026
Claim Bonus →
  • FanCash for merchandise rewards
  • Clean modern interface
  • Strong college football markets
Min Deposit$5
Withdrawal24-72 hours
App Rating4.8 ★
Read full Fanatics review →
#7

BetRivers

Pelicans Fans
★★★★☆ 4.4/5
2nd Chance Bet up to $500
Bonus bet refund if first bet loses · BetRivers signature LA offer + iRush Rewards loyalty · valid through July 15, 2026
Claim Bonus →
Promo code: SPORTSLA · how to apply →
  • Official Pelicans betting partner
  • Strong loyalty program
  • Reliable platform
Min Deposit$10
Withdrawal24-48 hours
App Rating4.3 ★
Read full BetRivers review →
#8

theScore

News Integration
★★★★☆ 4.2/5
Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets
If first bet wins · rebranded from ESPN BET Dec 2025 · PENN Play loyalty · valid through July 31, 2026
Claim Bonus →
  • PENN Entertainment backed
  • Formerly ESPN BET
  • News integration
Min Deposit$10
Withdrawal24-72 hours
App Rating4.1 ★
Read full theScore review →

Read all 8 reviews →

May 2026

Welcome Bonus Comparison


Side-by-side comparison of every welcome offer available to new Louisiana bettors.

SportsbookWelcome BonusPromo CodeMin Deposit
FanDuel Bet $5, Get $300 -- $5 Bonus details →
DraftKings Bet $5, Get $200 -- $5 Bonus details →
BetMGM First Bet $1,500 -- $10 Bonus details →
Caesars 10× 100% Profit Boost -- $10 Bonus details →
bet365 Bet $5, Get $150 -- $10 Bonus details →
Fanatics 10× $100 Bet Matches -- $5 Bonus details →
BetRivers 2nd Chance Bet $500 SPORTSLA $10 Bonus details →
theScore Bet $10, Get $100 -- $10 Bonus details →

All bonus deep dives →

Step by Step

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.

01

Choose a Sportsbook

Pick a licensed Louisiana sportsbook from our reviewed list above. Each operator is regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

02

Create Your Account

Provide your name, email, address, phone number, and last four digits of your SSN. Geolocation confirms you are in Louisiana.

03

Claim Your Bonus

Enter any promo code during registration or on your first deposit. Each sportsbook has unique welcome offers; compare before committing.

04

Fund & Start Betting

Make your first deposit via bank transfer, debit card, PayPal, or other accepted methods. Most sportsbooks have $5-$10 minimums.

Full Markets

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

View team hub →
🏀

NBA

New Orleans Pelicans (BetRivers official partner); player props, futures, nightly NBA action

View team hub →
🎓

College Football

LSU Tigers (SEC), Tulane Green Wave, ULL Ragin' Cajuns; deep SEC football culture and bowl betting

View team hub →
🏀

College Basketball

LSU Tigers (men's and women's), March Madness, SEC Tournament action

View team hub →

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

Legal Framework

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

May 2018 Supreme Court strikes down PASPA, opening the door for state legalization
Nov 2020 Louisiana voters approve sports betting via parish-by-parish ballot; 55 of 64 parishes vote yes
Jun 2021 Governor John Bel Edwards signs HB 697 and SB 247 establishing the legal framework
Oct 6, 2021 Retail sports betting launches at Paragon Casino in Marksville
Jan 28, 2022 Online sports betting goes live in the 55 participating parishes with 6 operators
Apr 2024 Louisiana Gaming Control Board bans player prop bets on college athletes to protect student welfare
2025 HB 639 passes raising the online sports betting tax from 15% to 21.5%
Feb 2026 Louisiana reports $381.6M in January handle generating $8.9M in state tax revenue
Mar 2026 LGCB reports February handle of ~$305M generating $6.8M in state tax revenue under the new 21.5% rate
Common Questions

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 don't 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 Louisiana's 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, Harrah's New Orleans, Boomtown Casino, Paragon Casino, and L'Auberge Lake Charles. The Louisiana Lottery also operates kiosks at bars, restaurants, and truck stops statewide.