Quick facts about sports betting in Louisiana
- The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates sports betting in Louisiana.
- Prop bets on individual college players are banned statewide, though betting on college teams and games is allowed.
- You have to be at least 21 years old before you can even sign up to place bets at sportsbooks in Louisiana.
How did Louisiana legalize sports betting?
The dominoes started falling in May 2018 when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). This gave individual states the power to legalize sports betting. Louisiana lawmakers tried to capitalize on this in 2019, but the sports betting bill died on the final day of the legislative session.
Persistence finally paid off. In November 2020, voters in 55 of Louisiana's 64 parishes approved a referendum to legalize sports betting. This is where Louisiana did something completely different from every other state. Instead of a statewide vote, they let each parish decide for itself. The nine parishes that voted against it — Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, La Salle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll, and Winn — are all in the northern and central parts of the state. These areas are geofenced, meaning if you're physically located there, you can't place bets even if you have an account.
Governor John Bel Edwards moved fast once voters approved it. He signed HB697 into law on June 7, 2021, which legalized sports betting in the 55 parishes that approved it. Then, on June 10, 2021, he signed SB247, which established the licensing framework and regulations.
The first legal sports bet in Louisiana was placed on October 6, 2021. Online and mobile sports betting officially started opening their virtual doors on January 28, 2022, with six operators going live right before the NFL Championship weekend. DraftKings and FanDuel were among the first to launch, and they came out swinging with massive signup bonuses. These are two of the four brands I highly recommend for any Louisiana bettor. Don’t worry, I’m about to go into more details about these platforms.
- Various promotions and boosts for existing customers.
- Live betting for all the supported sports, plus in-game stats and a 2D game
- Fantastic selection of team and player props
Claim Bonus
- Advanced bet features like parlay boosts
- Over 30 sports to wager on
- Competitive odds
Claim Bonus
- 20+ sports to bet on
- Live sports betting available
- Competitive odds across its markets
Claim Bonus
My top four Louisiana sportsbooks: legal, safe, and fun brands
I am a very curious bettor, one who is bent on finding and using only sportsbooks that offer the best of everything. So, when these big brands started catering to Louisiana bettors, I did not miss out on the fun. After going from one platform to another, the following sportsbooks checked the right boxes:
| Sportsbook | Welcome offer |
|---|---|
| BetMGM | Get Up to $1,500 Paid Back In Bonus Bets If You Do Not Win |
| FanDuel | Bet $5, Get $300 In Bonus Bets If You Win |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins + 3 Months of NBA League Pass |
| Fanatics | Up to $2,000 in FanCash |
BetMGM – MGM Rewards system that offers exclusive benefits
BetMGM Sport In A Nutshell
It’s almost impossible to talk about BetMGM without bringing up the MGM Rewards system. The program offers something to look forward to besides placing bets on the sportsbook. Here’s how it works: get Tier Credits and Points for every bet. Redeem your Points for real benefits like dining and hotel stays. Get enough Tier Credits, and you will climb to a higher tier where you get even better perks.
The bonuses are another highlight, starting with the welcome offer, where you can receive up to $1,500 in bonus bets. I'm also referring to the $100 referral offer, early payouts, and limited-time promotions. Interestingly, the bonuses are often the same even on the mobile app. And this is good news for bettors like me who prefer the mobile experience.
I found coverage for more than 20+ sports at BetMGM, not as many as I grasped on some Texas sportsbooks, but more than enough to keep me engaged. Then there are the competitive odds for mainstream and niche sports; this is one area where BetMGM gets a very high rating.
How To Sign Up
- Begin Registration: Click the gold ‘Sign Up’ button on the top right of the homepage.
- Enter your personal details including your email, address, mobile number, and SSN digits.
- Click “Send me a code” to verify your phone number and pre-fill some details automatically.
- Complete Registration: Click the gold ‘Complete registration’ button at the bottom of the form to finish the sign-up process.
BONUS
Claim Bonus
FanDuel — Competitive odds for the "Big Four"
FanDuel Sportsbook In A Nutshell
When I compared most of FanDuel's lines to those of other established brands, I noticed that it takes less juice on NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL events. That is a big plus to me because these are the major sports I follow and bet on. As such, I can expect to get more from my winning bets compared to when I make the same selections on some other sportsbooks.
In addition to popular games, FanDuel does justice to niche sports like rugby, darts, and snooker. The market depth is another reason why I kept returning to the sportsbook, as it offers the opportunity to place everything from moneylines to teasers and futures.
If you know me, then you’re already aware that my reviews, no matter how brief, would not be complete without a look at the welcome bonus. FanDuel does a decent job in this regard, as it offers new customers up to $300 in bonus bets if their initial wager of at least $5 wins.
How To Sign Up
- Click the green ‘Join’ button at the top right of the homepage.
- Select your state/location and enter your email address, create a username, and set a password.
- Provide personal details, including full name, date of birth, and home address.
- Enter your phone number and the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) for identity verification.
- Agree to the terms and conditions, confirm you are of legal age, and complete any additional verification steps.
- Click the ‘Create Account’ button to finalize your registration.
BONUS
Claim Bonus
DraftKings — a standout welcome bonus for new LA bettors
DraftKings Sport In A Nutshell
Here is what DraftKings welcomes new LA bettors with – New Customers: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins + 3 Months of NBA League Pass. So, you’re not only getting bonus bets but also a subscription to the NBA streaming service, where you can watch almost every NBA game and exclusive basketball content.
The extensive coverage is another thing I found impressive at DraftKings. There was a wide variety of markets for all the leagues that I love, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. It also offers live betting services. As a bettor who occasionally places live bets, I liked how fast DraftKings updated its lines in real-time.
Everything that DraftKings offers is also available on its mobile application, so you don’t have to worry about missing out when you play on smaller screens. I must add that the app’s interface is much more intuitive compared to the web-based mobile version.
How To Sign Up
- Visit the DraftKings website or download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Click on the “Sign Up” button, usually located in the upper right corner of the website or app.
- Enter your personal details and choose a unique username.
- Create a secure password. It must be at least 10 characters long and include at least one letter, one number, and one special character.
- Click “Create Account” or “Continue” to finalize the registration process.
BONUS
Claim Bonus
Fanatics — a standout rewards system
Fanatics In A Nutshell
When you join Fanatics, you will see that you can get up to $2,000 in FanCash if your first bet loses. “FanCash” is a special currency that plays a significant role in the loyalty program. When you gather enough of these, you can exchange them for bonuses and real merchandise at Fanatics. You only need to place bets, and a percentage of the wager amount will be converted to FanCash.
Fanatics covers more than 20 sports, which span across various major US and international leagues. I found it easy to bet on these when using both the website and mobile application. Speaking of bets, you have different options to choose from, including moneylines, spreads, totals, and parlays. If you have any questions about the platform, you can easily contact the support team via phone, email, or live chat.
How To Sign Up
- Download the Fanatics mobile app. This is available on the Apple App and Google Play Store.
- Click “Log In” in the upper right corner.
- Enter your email address to start the account registration process.
- From here, provide the other necessary details like your name, date of birth, address, social security number, and more.
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Enable biometrics, which allows you to log in with a face scan.
BONUS
Claim Bonus
How I selected the best Louisiana sportsbooks
Let me give you a brief overview of some of the most important things I considered when choosing the best sportsbooks in Louisiana:
| Market coverage | A brand gets a better rating if it extensively covers different sports, and I don’t just mean the major leagues. I’m also talking about niche options like darts and snooker. |
| Odds | I only pick sportsbooks when I am sure that they have competitive odds. The lower the margins, the better. |
| User experience | The website design and layout are a big deal for me. It doesn’t have to be all bells and whistles, but it needs to be simple and intuitive enough to use. |
| Bonuses | I am a big fan of generous bonuses, but I only dive in if these promotions have reasonable terms. |
| Licensing and security | A sportsbook has a chance of getting a spot on my LA list only if it has a license from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. |
Pros and cons of sports betting at Louisiana sportsbooks
I enjoyed, and still enjoy, several benefits at Louisiana sportsbooks, but there are a few drawbacks I would like to bring to the surface. Below is an outline of these hits and misses:
- Licensed sportsbooks in the state
- Top brands offer generous bonuses
- Most sportsbooks have mobile apps
- Multiple markets for different sports
- Sports betting is illegal in 9 parishes
- No college player prop bet
The best Louisiana sportsbooks are yours to enjoy
Since online sportsbooks became legal in Louisiana, I have watched many brands enter the market, and I have played at every single one of them. After checking out these platforms and actually betting real money, I've found out those with top offerings for LA bettors. I made it an easy work for you to find these platforms by briefly reviewing them on this page.
The parish-by-parish setup makes Louisiana unique. You've got 55 parishes where betting is legal and nine where it's not, so geolocation actually matters here more than in most states.
But if you're in an approved parish, you've got access to some of the best sportsbooks at your fingertips. You simply have to go through my list, click the link to your preferred brand, and sign up to get started. Remember that you must be at least 21 years old to register with Louisiana sportsbooks.
Try these top betting bonuses
Claim Bonus
- Various promotions and boosts for existing customers.
- Live betting for all the supported sports, plus in-game stats and a 2D game
- Fantastic selection of team and player props
+11
Claim Bonus
Claim Bonus
+9
Claim Bonus
+8
Claim Bonus
+5
FAQs
Do I have to pay taxes on my sports betting winnings?
Yes, you have to pay taxes on your sports betting winnings as a Louisiana bettor. Your sportsbook is required to withhold taxes on winnings above $600.
What is the minimum age limit to register at Louisiana sportsbooks?
You must be at least 21 years old to bet. Licensed brands will verify this age limit by requesting you to complete KYC verification after registering or before making your first withdrawal request.
What betting sites are legal in Louisiana?
BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics are some of the betting sites that are legal in Louisiana. These brands have a license from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, and they implement security features to ensure your details are safe.
Are sportsbooks legal in Louisiana?
Yes, sportsbooks are legal in Louisiana. Sports betting itself was passed into law in 2021, while online sportsbooks started going live in Louisiana in 2022.