Louisiana Sports Betting: Best Louisiana Betting Sites in 2024

Legal online sports betting landed in Louisiana in 2022, with 8 sportsbooks now available in the state. Still a youthful product, the Pelican State's sports betting services have proven profitable for the region — evidenced by positive revenue reports. The same applies to bettors' experience, too, with players handed access to the nation's finest sportsbooks.

In this guide, I show you how to decipher the best sports betting sites in Louisiana, the most rewarding bonuses, and the widest collection of markets. Let's dig in.

Is Online Sports Betting legal in Louisiana?

Online sports betting has been legal in Louisiana since 2022. The move came after lawmakers passed a motion to allow retail sports betting — and the state hasn't looked back. Eager bettors flocked to online sportsbooks the moment they went live, resulting in almost $2 billion in sports betting handle within one year.

There are now 8 active sportsbooks in Louisiana, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetMGM. Each platform is unique in its own way, with specialized promotions and carefully curated markets. This works to the advantage of Louisiana's bettors, as you're free to avail of any welcome offer on these sites.

Louisiana Sports Betting Updates & Timeline

Louisiana's journey toward legal online sports betting has been anything but easy. Those who advocated for sports gambling fought hammer-and-tong for nearly 5 years, eventually culminating in a win for their efforts. Here, I examine the Pelican State's back-and-forth with sports betting since PASPA's demise.

• 2018: The Supreme Court rules PASPA — the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act — unconstitutional. Louisiana's lawmakers can freely develop a sports betting bill from this point onward.
• 2019: Early efforts to legalize sports betting are unsuccessful. Sports betting itself is not the issue per se, but rather, it's the inclusion of other gambling activities in bill SB 153 that turns legislators against the motion. Online Louisiana sports betting platforms appear a long way off at this point.
• 2020: Despite losing its most passionate supporter in Senator Danny Martin to state term restrictions, sports betting receives major support from over 80% of Louisiana's parishes at the voting booth. The move to put sports betting before voters is the brain-child of Sen. Cameron Henry — the next in line to push for legal sports betting.
• Legislators then begin drawing up a system for legal sports betting.
• 2021: Retail sports betting hits the state in October. The occasion marks the beginning of Louisiana's now flourishing relationship with sports wagering.
• 2022: Online sports betting goes live three months after the state took its first sports wagers at retail sportsbooks. In a happy coincidence, the Super Bowl happens to take place in New Orleans this year — encouraging viewers to tune in and bet on their picks.
• Figures rise and fall throughout the opening year. A clear pattern emerges, with the NFL season attracting more bettors than any other sport.
• 2023: Louisiana sports betting websites continue their upward trajectory, accruing record revenue during 2023.

Best Sports Betting Sites Currently Available in Louisiana

Louisiana sportsbooks first arrived in 2022, carrying the expectation of the state's keen bettors on their shoulders. Today, Louisiana's sports betting industry hosts 8 top-tier betting platforms — including household brands that have established loyal player bases nationwide. I've ranked five of the best legal sports gambling websites in the Pelican State, below.

DraftKings Sportsbook Louisiana

An ever-present in the online betting industry, DraftKings Sportsbook boasts tremendous promotions, highly competitive odds, and a solid daily fantasy sports facility. Louisiana bettors have been treated to the sportsbook's range of services since the operator's arrival in early 2022, with NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA markets a massive hit among punters.

Key to DraftKings' Louisiana product is a partnership with The Golden Nugget Lake Charles Casino. Thanks to this contract, DK can provide its $1,000 bet insurance welcome offer to all new registrants — deposit $5+ and wager on any sport to grab the bonus.

But the online sports betting site is far more than just a place for a renowned Draftking promo. The so-called 'Dynasty Rewards' program dishes out consistent rewards for consistent bettors, while the sheer quality of the site's markets can make every bet feel like a fantastic deal.

FanDuel Sportsbook Louisiana

Same game parlays are the word of the day for FanDuel Sportsbook customers. The popular betting site delivers several pre-made parlays across multiple sports — making it easier than ever to take a great price on your favorite selections.

Other notable features include live streaming, player props, in-play betting, and a 'Learn to Play' hub for newcomers. Above all else, my favorite aspect of FanDuel is its determination to stand out with entertaining promotions; like Gronk's 'Kick of Destiny' at the Super Bowl.

The Fanduel promo offers a 'Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets' package for all new players. Unlike competitors offering bonus bet deals, Fanduel rewards $150 in bonus bets to all customers who win first time around.

20 sports are joined by a couple of special markets here, with the celebrity-focused Oscars awarded pride-of-place next to standard sports betting options. And, if you've already created a daily fantasy sports profile with FanDuel Sportsbook, log in using those credentials to access the sportsbook without signing up again.

BetMGM Sportsbook Louisiana

BetMGM promo and Rewards program tables exclusive discounts, hotel stays, on-site promotions, event tickets, and more. It's an exclusive club for consistent bettors — with prizes that feel premium.

A $100 Refer-a-Friend offer also serves as a handy boost for existing customers. Once your buddy signs up and deposits, both accounts are credited a generous sum of bonus cash. This is true for a maximum of 20 recommended friends.

Last but not least: BetMGM's sports betting options. Baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer; all of the nation's most-viewed events are here. The list of sports is admittedly limited compared to FanDuel but that doesn't detract from the undeniable quality of the markets and odds on display at BetMGM. To learn more about BetMGM read our review here. 

ESPN Bet Sportsbook Louisiana

A fledgling sportsbook compared to its already-mentioned counterparts, ESPN Bet represents a fresh attempt to enter the sports betting market from the esteemed network. Unlike competitors in Louisiana, ESPN swerves easily advertisable promotions in favor of personalized bonuses. You'll need an account to see which deals are available — a far cry from the barrage of promotions thrown in the faces of FanDuel, BetMGM, and DraftKings customers.

As for sports betting markets, there are many. 21 sports form the mobile sports betting site's catalog of options, spanning football to winter sports. If you're after an online sports betting platform with unique sports and an easily accessible live betting service, look no further than this exciting new operator.

Caesars Sportsbook Louisiana

Retail and online sports betting are the name of the game when it comes to Caesars Sportsbook. The famed betting provider cooks up multiple avenues for legal online wagering in the Pelican State — partnering with a handful of establishments to offer in-person betting and earn an online license.

A large portion of Louisiana sports bettors are online-only and Caesars Sportsbook more than delivers on that front. For example, the sports betting site hands out up to $1,000 as a bonus bet to all new users who deposit with the code 'CZR1000'. Just wager within 30 days of signing up to snag Caesars' rewarding package, then use your bonus bets over the next two weeks.

I rarely praise online sportsbooks for navigability, but Caesars places new pressure on rivals to meet the cleanliness of its desktop interface. Select parlay builders, indulge in live betting, examine current major sports leagues, or steal a deal — all without scrolling or clicking away from the homepage.

Louisiana Sportsbooks Hoping to Launch Soon 

Louisiana sports betting laws permit up to 40 online sportsbooks to operate in the region. That leaves room for 31 additional platforms to enter the state soon — so expect news on further operators joining the fray within a year.

Betfred, Betway, Borgata, and BetAmerica each sit on the sidelines for the time being. Whether they join the Louisiana betting industry remains to be seen, but the success of DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and others, should point to Louisiana as a terrific place to set up shop.

Best Sportsbook Promos in Louisiana 

From bonus bets to ongoing rewards, Louisiana sportsbooks serve up impressive promotions all year round. Keep an eye out for loyalty programs, too, as these function as the quickest way to accrue rapid boosts regularly.

I evaluate two of Louisiana's finest sportsbook bonus offers, below.

$500 as Bonus Bet - BetRivers

First-time bettors at BetRivers are in with a shot of earning $500 in bonus bets by using the code 'SPORTS' upon depositing.

It's one of my favorite offers for one important reason: minimum odds don't apply to qualifying bets. This means you can qualify by betting on any selection at any price, and receive $500 if the punt lets you down.

A 30-day window applies to bonus bets earned here – giving users plenty of time to play through the full $500. Once acquired, use bonus bets on selections with odds of -200 or longer. Odds shorter than -200 are not eligible for use with this particular bonus.

On a positive note, BetRivers lets users wager bonus bets on all of its sports. Returns from successful bonus bet wagers are instantly withdrawable — minus the stake — via your preferred banking method.

Requirements to Play at Louisiana Sports Betting Sites

Few restrictions apply to Louisiana sports bettors. Standard rules apply, with bettors required to be 21+, located in one of the state's 55 parishes where sports betting is legal, and not an employee of a sports team competing in one of the sportsbook's markets.

Here's a quick rundown of legal parishes for sports betting in Louisiana.

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

Popular Sports & Leagues to Bet on in Louisiana

Louisiana is home to elite professional sporting franchises. With this in mind — and the state's love for college sports — residents have taken to sports betting in masses. Some leagues and teams are more popular than others, though, as outlined in this section.

Louisiana Sport Leagues

The NFL and NBA stand out as Louisiana's major leagues for sports betting. Fans tune in to both professional divisions every season, and as of 2022, that passion is something you can back monetarily.

NCAA competitions are just as popular. The Louisiana State University Tigers compete in Division I of the NCAA, while other historic outfits — like the University of Louisiana Lafayette's basketball side — carry a loyal following as they fight in the Sun Belt Championship.

Louisiana Teams to Bet On

The New Orleans Saints are head and shoulders above all other sports franchises in Louisiana. The Caesars Superdome hosts NFL games every season, including 2025's Super Bowl LIX. Fans will be hoping for improved performances by then — and perhaps the 'Big Game' will involve the state's very own team.

As for the NBA, it's all about the New Orleans Pelicans. The franchise has been active since the early 2000s, amassing a solid fanbase in the decades since.

What You Can't Bet On In Louisiana

Louisiana's open-minded approach to sports betting resulted in its vast markets. Just a small number of restrictions apply — but none of these limits are detrimental to the future of online sports betting in the state.

• Political Events — The only way to show support for politicians is in the voting booth.
• Injuries — Sportsbooks in Louisiana don't publish odds on potential injuries to athletes.
• College Props — Prop bets are strictly prohibited at Louisiana sports betting sites.

Other Types of Gambling in Louisiana

Online sports betting could be the forebearer of things to come for Louisiana's gambling industry. The state permits retail casino games and poker rooms but forbids online versions of both. Should senators show the same level of support for online casino gaming as they once did for sports betting, a new wave of betting could splash over the state.

Daily fantasy sports, sweepstakes casinos and horse racing betting are both legal in Louisiana.

Upcoming States to License Online Sports Betting Sites

Louisiana is surrounded by states with mixed views on internet-based sportsbooks. Let's see which regions could approve sports betting.

• Texas — Legalization came close in 2023 as senators approved a bill to allow Texas betting sites. However, the state's Governor shot down the motion – delaying hope of legal sports betting to 2025.
• Oklahoma — Two bills are subject to evaluation by Oklahoma senators in 2024. If either passes, we could see legal online Oklahoma sports betting sites in the region by the year's end.
• Mississippi — February 2024 marked a sharp change in direction for Mississippi's potential sports betting scene. Senators voted to pass a bill that would legalize Mississippi sports betting sites — now it's a case of waiting for the state to announce the new laws.

Overview of Louisiana Sports Betting Sites

Rewards programs, bonus bets, support for major sports, and a deluge of competitive odds at almost every sportsbook make Louisiana's sports betting scene one of the healthiest in the US.

Massive names, like DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook, join smaller platforms, like ClutchBet, as the Pelican State's sports betting representatives. Operator revenue speaks for itself — with bettors jumping at the opportunity to back their favorite teams.

Whether you like the NBA, NFL, NCAA, or follow foreign leagues like the Premier League, an exclusive welcome offer awaits at a Louisiana sports betting site.

Louisiana Sports Betting FAQ