Welcome to the sports betting life, Louisiana. You made it.

Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the two remaining Louisiana sports betting bills, SB 142 and SB 247, into law on Tuesday, completing the necessary measures to legalize sports betting in the state. The bills will go into effect on July 1, 2021, with the hope that Louisiana sports betting will be launched in time for the NFL season.

Edwards recently put his signature to Rep. John M. Stefanski’s (R-42) sponsored tax bill, HB 697, to officially set tax rates for Louisiana’s sports betting program.

In-person and online Louisiana sports betting opportunities

Louisiana’s foray into the sports betting arena began last month when Stefanski introduced his tax bill to the House Ways and Means Committee. Originally, Stefanski proposed a retail and online sportsbook revenue tax rate of 10% and 18%, respectively. He reduced the rates to 10% and 15% for the final version of the bill. Louisiana will allow 20 sports betting licenses, one each for the the state’s 15 riverboat casinos, four racinos (horse tracks) and one land-based casino. Each license will also include two mobile licenses, which could mean a potential of 41 “skins” for Louisiana online sports betting. The one additional skin would be allotted to the Louisiana Lottery Corporation.

Each facility applying for a sports betting license will be required to construct a retail sportsbook to be eligible.

Kiosk program included in Louisiana sports betting

Facilities with Class-A onsite consumption liquor licenses can receive a mobile wagering device, called a kiosk, to allow patrons to participate in online sports betting while in their facility. This would be run under the purveyance of the Louisiana Lottery Corporation and revenue would be taxed at 10%.

The collected tax revenue from sports betting will be dispersed as such:

  • 60% to the general fund.
  • 25% to early education.
  • 12% to the parishes.
  • 2% to programs for gambling addiction.
  • 1% to a sports wagering purse fund for horse racing.

A sports betting ban on in-state collegiate programs was not included in the bill.

Sports betting will be legal in 55 of 64 Louisiana parishes that approved the measure in the November 2020 general election. In-person and online sports betting will not be permitted for residents living in the following parishes:

  • Caldwell
  • Catahoula
  • Franklin
  • Jackson
  • LaSalle
  • Sabine
  • Union
  • West Carroll
  • Winn