It's geaux time: Louisiana online sports betting to launch on Jan. 28 (Updated)
It’s finally geaux time.
After months of speculation and planning (and a massive hurricane in the fall) Louisiana online sports betting will be ready to roll on Friday, Jan. 28 at 8 a.m., according to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Louisiana launch a long time coming
BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, Rush Street Interactive and Barstool Sportsbook have confirmed they will be live on Friday, Jan. 28 at 8 a.m. BetMGM and Rush Street Interactive (through its BetRivers brand) made their announcements through press releases. Caesars and DraftKings announced the news on their social media feeds.
Hey Louisiana, #CaesarsSportsbook mobile sports betting is officially coming on Friday! pic.twitter.com/0b6G7RTOQl
— Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) January 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/DKSportsbook/status/1486439373046525958
FanDuel and Barstool Sportsbook confirmed their Friday launch with Saturday Down South.
The remaining sportsbook operators approved for launch can not be confirmed to the public just yet, a representative from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board told Saturday Down South. That information may be released later today or Thursday, Jan. 27.
Despite a few delays, the state managed to launch online sports betting before the drop deadline of Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, Feb. 13. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns has said throughout the process it was important for the state to be up and running before the Super Bowl, the biggest sports betting day of the year.
Louisiana 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 also includes 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 that has applied for a sports betting license has also been required to construct a retail sportsbook to be eligible.
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%.
A sports betting ban on in-state collegiate programs was not included in the bill.
Louisiana sports betting framework
Louisiana law makers approved the state’s two sports betting bills in June and they were quickly signed into law by Gov. John Bel Edwards. The bills set a 10% tax rate on retail sports betting and a 15% tax rate on online sports betting.
Sports betting tax revenue 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.
Where will Louisiana online sports betting be legal?
Sports betting is legal in 55 of 64 Louisiana parishes that approved the measure in the November 2020 general election. In-person and online sports betting is not permitted for residents living in the following parishes:
- Caldwell
- Catahoula
- Franklin
- Jackson
- LaSalle
- Sabine
- Union
- West Carroll
- Winn
