Online Gambling in Louisiana: What to Expect in the Coming Weeks
Louisiana online gambling has been legal since June 2021, when Senate Bill 247 passed and received Gov. John Edwards’ signature. SB 247 makes sports betting in Louisiana legal, while House Bill 697 provides supplemental rules on taxes and licensing. After a lengthy wait, LA online sportsbooks finally appear ready to launch. You can find out when to expect this launch and if other forms of internet gambling will soon be available.
What’s Going on with Online Gambling in Louisiana Right Now?
Sports gambling is nothing new in the Bayou State. Retail Louisiana sportsbooks launched in October 2021 and are currently taking advantage of the NFL betting frenzy. LA betting sites, though, are still on the shelf as of now.
A key holdup is that the Louisiana State Police must investigate and clear all license applicants. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) accepts online betting applications, but State Police must perform background checks on key stakeholders. This process isn’t finished yet, which is one reason why LA betting apps aren’t available.
The other issue is that the rules aren’t completely defined for the marketplace. The LGCB has ironed out the main rules, but it still has work to do in this department.
When Will Louisiana Betting Sites Launch?
No official date is set for the launch of online sports betting in Louisiana. The LGCB hopes to go live in late January, which would enable LA online sportsbooks to capitalize on Super Bowl betting. According to Chairman Ronnie Johns, though, this timeframe is optimistic.
Nobody truly knows the launch date for online sportsbooks in Louisiana. However, LA betting sites are already accepting pre-registrations and offering bonuses to early registrants. Caesars Sportsbook Louisiana, for example, is dangling a $300 no-deposit bonus to early signups (code GAMBLENEW).
The following licensed LA betting apps are ready to go when the time comes:
- BetMGM Sportsbook Louisiana
- BetFred
- BetRivers
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
Each of the state’s 19 commercial casinos can offer two online Louisiana sportsbooks. Therefore, the market could feature up to 38 LA betting sites. Realistically speaking, though, Louisiana’s population can support 6–10 online operators.
Will Other Types of Louisiana Online Gambling Be Legal Soon?
Louisiana sports betting is currently the only approved form of online gambling in the Bayou State. Could other forms of internet gambling—namely LA online casinos and poker—became available?
Probably, but this event wouldn’t come any time in the near future. As seen with Louisiana sports betting, launching any kind of internet gambling market takes time. Regulators must develop rules, accept applications, and issue licenses—all things that don’t happen overnight.
Online casinos and/or poker aren’t drawing serious attention in either house right now either. The state legislature had a busy year debating and approving sportsbooks in Louisiana. It doesn’t appear in a hurry to discuss legal internet poker and casinos in the near future.
The good news, though, is that gamblers will soon be able to enjoy online sports betting in Louisiana. LA betting apps could potentially go live in a few weeks.
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