Louisiana Online Sports Betting 2022: Rules Breakdown

Louisiana online sports gambling was supposed to launch in November. The launch date has been pushed back, though, due to the lengthy licensing process. Nevertheless, plenty of details are available on Louisiana sports betting rules.

First off, LA sports betting is only available in 55 of the state’s 64 “parishes.” Nine parishes opted out of the market, while all others feature legal sports betting. The nine parishes where sports gambling remains illegal include:

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

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates the market, implements rules, and accepts sportsbook applications. Meanwhile, the LA State Police investigate and approve applications from prospective sportsbooks in Louisiana.

Regulators can issue up to 20 licenses. All 19 commercial LA casinos are eligible to apply for a license. The Bayou State features 15 riverboat casinos, four racinos, and Harrah’s New Orleans.

Each licensee, can partner with two internet brands (a.k.a. “skins”) in LA. In the case of Caesars Louisiana Sportsbook, which owns five LA casinos, the online and land-based partners are the same.

All approved sportsbooks in Louisiana must pay the following fees and taxes:

• $250,000 application fee
• $500,000 for a five-year license
• 10% tax rate on revenue from in-person bets
• 15% tax rate on revenue from online bets

The Pelican State has few restrictions on what markets are permitted. It’ll allow wagering on all professional sports, including, for example, the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, boxing, golf, and soccer.

College sports betting will also be available on LA betting apps. Bettors can even wager on local teams, such as the LSU Tigers, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, and Grambling State Tigers. LA is not the only state to follow these rules. 

It's likely that Maryland and Ohio will follow the same principles. Ohio sportsbooks will provide access to college sports betting once the sports betting market goes live.

Esports betting is legal on a case-by-case basis. Operators can suggest eSports events, at which point regulators can either approve or deny them. Louisiana esports gambling is especially regulated because some pros are minors.

Speaking of which, high school and youth sports are the only markets that are explicitly illegal for betting purposes. Of course, this rule is a standard across sports betting sites in the U.S.

Adults aged 21 and over can wager at retail and online Louisiana sportsbooks. People can sign up at LA betting sites from anywhere. However, they must be located within one of the 55 parishes where Louisiana sports betting is legal.

Nobody with any potential influence or insider knowledge can engage in online sports betting in Louisiana. This rule applies to coaches, referees, players, and potentially others involved with college or pro sports teams.

Overall, the sports betting Louisiana rules aren’t vastly different from other states. The nine parishes that voted against sports gambling present the only real confusion. Provided you know which parishes these are, though, you can easily avoid them with placing bets.