After months of waiting, Louisiana online sports betting is now live in the Pelican State.

Six sportsbook operators launched this morning at 8 a.m. Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM Louisiana, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings and FanDuel are now live and accepting bets. It’s the culmination of months of work from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the Louisiana lawmakers who approved the initial sports betting bills in June of 2021.

“Caesars Sportsbook is ready for mobile sports betting’s debut in Louisiana on Friday. This is an opportunity we’ve been working toward for a long time. We have a proud history of operating in Louisiana with our properties Harrah’s New Orleans, Horseshoe Bossier City, and the soon to re-open Horseshoe Lake Charles,” Eric Hession, co-president of Caesars Digital, said in a press release.

Delays led to January launch

The Louisiana online sports betting launch was initially estimated for fall 2021, but several regulatory issues, geofencing difficulties, and Hurricane Ida delayed the launch.

Despite the 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 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