There’s a lot of conflicting information for Louisiana residents over when mobile sports betting will go live. Retail sports betting is both legal and live, and while online sports betting is officially legal, it is expected to go live sometime in mid-January 2022. Many Louisiana sports betting sites are already offering pre-launch bonuses for bettors to take advantage of.
When will Louisiana residents be able to bet on online sports?
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board chairman suggests that online sports betting should go live around January 15, 2022. However, the Louisiana State Police are in charge of issuing licenses and remain unwilling to commit to a date when those licenses will become active.
Sports betting in Louisiana was made legal in both online and retail platforms in June 2021 when Bill SB247 got signed into law. Retail sports betting launched a few months later, in November 2021,
Online platforms like DraftKings, Caesars, FanDuel, and BetMGM are just a few examples of those who have jumped at the chance to offer Louisiana residents betting accounts. More are expected to follow once online betting is up and running.
Are sports betting legal?
Sports betting has been legal in the state for several months. It launched on the retail side on November 1, 2021, but there haven’t been licenses issues for online betting sites to go live and start receiving wagers.
Who controls sports betting in Louisiana?
While Louisiana has a Gaming Control Board, sports betting in the state is governed by the Louisiana Lottery. This has been considered the controlling and governing body since the law passed in 2021.
Where can you bet on sports?
Currently, there are no options available to bet on sports online, but there are several retail options to place wagers in person. There are several sportsbook locations throughout the state, particularly in New Orleans, Bossier City, and Baton Rouge. These sportsbooks are open and thriving, despite concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19.
What sports are legal to bet on?
A wide range of sports is available for Louisiana residents to bet on. These include soccer, baseball, football, basketball, and hockey to more obscure sports like table tennis and volleyball.
History of sports betting in Louisiana
The state of Louisiana first legalized gambling in 1940, and residents have been able to wager on horse races and casino games ever since. Despite this, it has been illegal for residents to place bets on sports teams until 2021.
A state-wide vote in November 2020 saw the majority of voters approve the legalization of sports betting. 56 out of 60 parishes voted in favor of it, leading to drafted legislation.
Louisiana sports teams to bet on
With host cities like New Orleans and Lafayette, it’s not surprising that Louisiana is home to many major sports teams like the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans. The state is also home to the LSU Tigers, which have won six of their last eight bowl games since 2014.
Final thoughts
Sports betting is legal in Louisiana, but residents are still waiting on licenses for online betting to go live. This is expected to occur sometime in mid-January 2022, but an exact date isn’t confirmed. Until then, bettors will have to be content with placing their bets in person at retail betting counters that are present in various locations throughout the state.
