Louisiana Betting Sites

Online sports betting in Louisiana launched in January 2022 after residents voted overwhelmingly for new guidelines in a 2020 referendum. Bettors can choose from 16 sportsbook platforms, including industry leaders like DraftKings and FanDuel. Check our Louisiana betting guide for everything you need to know. 

Is Online Betting Legal in Louisiana?

Louisiana was historically opposed to gambling, only establishing a lottery and land-based casinos in the early 1990s. Residents in most parishes voted for legalized sports betting in a November 2020 referendum, setting plans in motion to take advantage of the Supreme Court’s resolution to overturn the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018. 

Legal sports betting took longer than expected to launch in the Pelican State, with online and mobile sportsbooks waiting until January 2022 to start their services in all but nine parishes. The Louisiana sports betting industry made $26.5 million in taxes during the first year and is currently eleventh in the list of all-time handle with close to $4,000,000,000 so far.  

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board doesn’t authorize any online casinos or poker platforms, but sweepstakes casinos offer a legal route to playing slots, live dealer games, and other choices. 

Popular Sports to Bet on in Louisiana

We’ve outlined some of the most popular sports to be in Louisiana below: 

NFL

The NFL reigns supreme for sports betting enthusiasts in Louisiana, as it does across the US. The sport offers an unrivaled number of potential markets, and its strategic nature delivers a fascinating opportunity to test your betting calls. The New Orleans Saints represent the state in the NFL, where superstar quarterback Jameis Winston runs the show. The Saints won their only Super Bowl in 2009, performing against the odds to beat the Indianapolis Colts. 

NBA

The world’s most followed basketball league is hugely popular with sports bettors, with over a thousand games during a regular season. Louisiana betting apps can offer particularly generous offers on New Orleans Pelicans games, so it’s worth keeping an eye on their promotion sections. Power forward Zion Williamson was an NBA All-Star in 2023, representing a great pick on prop bets like points scored. 

MLB 

The MLB season provides a wealth of betting opportunities for Louisiana bettors – over 4,000 of them in fact. The sheer number of games is an integral reason for the popularity of baseball betting, with sportsbooks taking advantage of the packed schedule and enhancing betting opportunities with things like same-game parlays. The nearby Houston Astros won the World Series in 2023.   

NHL

Ice hockey is one of the most fast-paced sports available at Louisiana sports betting sites. The NHL is by far the most prestigious global league, responsible for legendary teams like the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Edmonton Oilers. From moneyline wagers to puck line bets and player props, the NHL caters to various betting preferences. The Stanley Cup is the season showpiece, but each of the 32 teams plays 82 games during a regular season, so there are ample betting opportunities. 

Horse Racing

Flat horse racing on dirt tracks is the quintessential North American equestrian sport, with iconic races like the Kentucky Derby providing the perfect opportunity for bettors to explore the wide-ranging options at LA sportsbooks. Louisiana has a rich horse racing heritage, best demonstrated at Fair Grounds Racecourse, America's third-oldest venue.

Betting Markets Available in Louisiana

Bettors should understand how different betting markets can benefit them to maximize the sports betting experience. But don’t jump in headfirst, as experimenting with new choices without knowing exactly how they work can deplete your chances and lead to rash decisions. BettingOdds.US reflects on the main betting markets at Louisiana betting sites below.  

Moneyline

Moneyline bets are a great entrypoint for sportsbook novices, enabling you to predict the overall winner during a game or event. Learning how to read these odds is a critical sports betting requirement, as the same concept is used for many other types of bets. Let’s imagine the New Orleans Pelicans are playing the Denver Nuggets. The odds might be presented as: 

• New Orleans Pelicans +250 
• Denver Nuggets -400 

The negative Nuggets odds indicate they are the favorites and it would take a $400 stake to win $100. Alternatively, a $100 wager on the Pelicans would win $250. The positive +250 odds indicate that they are the underdogs. 

Parlay

Think you could successfully predict several results during a game week? Parlay bets combine multiple individual predictions into a single, higher-risk wager. They are challenging to get right due to the requirement for all selections to be correct but can offer handsome rewards. 

Savvy bettors combine bet groups like moneylines and totals to maximize their chances of all the selections coming through. You can also stake same-game parlays at industry-leading sportsbooks, which can be useful if you know a lot about a certain team’s players and tactics. 

Over/Under

Over/Under bets predict whether the total of specific match events in a game will be higher or lower than the line set by each sportsbook. The simplest version of an over/under bet is guessing the total number of points scored by both teams during something like an NBA fixture. 

But this is just scratching the surface. Louisiana sportsbooks like DraftKings offer over/under wagers on multiple betting markets. 

Against the Spread (ATS)

Betting against the spread involves predicting whether a team or player will win or lose by a specific margin. For example, you could use a sliding scale to choose how many points you think the New Orleans Saints would win a game by. The more you select, the higher the payout but less probable the scenario. 

Clever bettors can exploit gaps in the “spread” by studying the odds at online sportsbooks and adjusting their predictions accordingly. Bearing in mind things like home field advantage and recent team form can also help you place more accurate ATS wagers.

Betting Apps Available in Louisiana

Mobile bettors in Louisiana are treated to several top-tier iOS and Android apps. Using these is by far the most convenient way to enjoy sports betting and provides several key advantages. Mobile apps have streamlined login processes using Face or Touch ID, push notifications alerting you to new promotions, live streaming, and plenty of other highlights. 

But you can’t guarantee the best mobile betting experience without knowing about the highest-rated apps. BettingOdds.US experts have scoured the Louisiana sports betting industry to find the top options. Here are our favorites: 

• FanDuel Sportsbook LA App: The FanDuel sports betting app was one of the first to launch in Louisiana and enjoys one of the highest market shares. And there’s no surprise about that, as the app scores highly on all key metrics. Our highlights include the horse racing betting section and exceptional in-play wagering suite. You can’t argue with the 4.8 out of 5 rating after over a million App Store ratings either.
• Caesars Sportsbook LA App: The Caesars Sportsbook app is best for bettors who enjoy consistent betting promotions, with things like the Caesars Rewards scheme delivering exhaustive free bets and other offers. Users are also treated to profit boosts on Louisiana teams like the New Orleans Pelicans – a nice touch that benefits local sports fans. While there is slightly thinner sports betting coverage than elsewhere, the Caesars Sportsbook app more than makes up for it with its betting bonuses and intuitive setup. 
• BetMGM Sportsbook LA App: The BetMGM mobile app offers iOS and Android users an exhaustive betting experience packed with competitive odds and wide-ranging betting markets. It performs particularly well for major events across leagues like the NFL, providing bettors with mobile-specific bonuses, detailed live in-game betting, and several “Signature” specials. 

Payment Methods Available at Louisiana Betting Sites

Learning about how each sports betting payment method can benefit you is crucial before you deposit for the first time. Louisiana sportsbooks offer an array of banking options, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Check below for an examination of the most popular methods.

Bank Cards 

Bank cards are the most familiar deposit methods for many bettors and don’t require any separate accounts like other options. All sportsbooks accept popular providers like Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, making bank cards the most widely accessible way to deposit and withdraw funds. Users also benefit from advanced security features and fraud protection measures, although they’ll need to be happy with sharing card details online. Some banks can block gambling-related transactions, which is another potential reason to consider one of the other popular choices.   

e-Wallets 

e-Wallets like PayPal, Neteller, and Venmo offer an extra layer of security for Louisiana bettors, with gambling funds kept away from primary bank accounts in virtual wallets. Users don’t need to share any bank data to deposit or withdraw, only requiring a username and password to make or receive payments. e-Wallets also facilitate some of the fastest withdrawal speeds, with the best sportsbooks enabling payouts within a few hours using options like PayPal. Be aware that e-wallets can be subject to fees and are regularly excluded from deposit bonuses. 

Prepaid Cards

Bettors who value privacy over everything else can’t go wrong with prepaid cards. Services like Play+ and Paysafecard require you to purchase a virtual or real-life card with a predetermined amount of money. You can only deposit the precise amount on the card using its PIN code, which makes it a great budgeting tool and nips any overspending firmly in the bud. Despite these advantages, the lengthier process of buying a voucher and depositing with prepaid cards is a significant flaw. Withdrawing money using prepaid cards is also largely impossible, so you’ll need to use a separate method to claim any potential payouts. 

Wire Transfer

Wire transfers involve direct bank-to-bank transfers without any middlemen, making them some of the most reliable banking methods. There’s not much point using wire transfers to make smaller payments, but high rollers benefit from the massive maximum deposit/withdrawal limits and tried and tested dependability. Wire transfers aren’t the most commonly used banking methods due to their slowness and complexity relative to most other payment methods. Users must supply detailed personal banking information like routing and transfer numbers, so you should come prepared.

Louisiana Betting Timeline

Louisiana residents have enjoyed a whirlwind few years since 2018, with DFS and sportsbooks launching closely after one another. It took both industries a while to get off the ground despite active legislation, with bettors finally getting access to fully-fledged online sports betting in January 2022. Look below for a recap of the journey to get there: 

• May 2018: The Supreme Court strikes down PASPA 
• November 2020: Louisiana voters approve sports betting in a referendum, setting the stage for legal sports betting. 
• June 2021: Governor John Bel Edwards signs the Louisiana Sports Betting Act SB 247 into law. 
• July 2021: Daily Fantasy Sport channels launch in Louisiana. 
• October 2021: In-person retail sportsbooks allowed to open 
• January 2022: Online Louisiana betting sites launch 

Compare Louisiana Betting Sites and Sign Up

BettingOdds.US teaches you everything you need to know about Louisiana betting sites. 

Our experts constantly review leading sportsbooks in the Pelican State to give you the best possible options. Consult our reviews and odds comparison charts to determine the leading betting sites for your needs. Afterwards, hit our registration shortcut to jump straight to the registration page and claim the welcome bonus. 

Frequently Asked Questions