Louisiana Sports Betting Set For Staggered Launch In January

By David Caraviello Mar 14th, 2024 7:22 AM EST

While Louisiana sports betting is not happening as quickly as some would like, the state is gearing up for the eventual launch next month. And so are the sportsbooks preparing to operate in the Bayou State.

Although the exact start date for mobile sports betting in LA remains undetermined, at least 13 candidates have applied for a mobile sports wagering license, according to statements at a recent meeting of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Vetting of candidates is being done by state law enforcement, a process that will likely push any launch back into mid-January at best. And as was the case with retail sports betting in the state, the rollout will now undoubtedly be piecemeal rather than all at once.

Each of Louisiana’s 20 casino license holders is being allowed two sports betting “skins,” industry parlance for an online bookmaker’s website and accompanying sports betting app. Since the Louisiana Lottery Corp. is also allowed to operate a skin, a potential total of 41 mobile platforms for sports betting could eventually be in operation throughout the state.

Louisiana Early Sign-Up Offers Available

While an exact launch date may not yet be available, several bookmakers preparing to operate in Louisiana are readying for the event by offering users in the state pre-registration deals that are already live. Those offers include:

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Sportsbook Louisiana is offering an additional $100 upon sign-up, plus extra bonuses when mobile sports betting launches, with use of the promo code “BOOKIES”. Hit 'Bet Now' below to get started. {{TOPLIST_7ae193d06cbf718a5d2467bdda7b83dd}}

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM Louisiana is going even bigger, offering early sign-ups $200 in free bets. Like Caesars, you'll get the free bets added to your account when sports betting in Louisiana goes live. The promo code to use is “BOOKIES”.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel Louisiana is offering $100 in free credits to use when mobile sports betting in the state goes live. To grab the promo, just hit the 'Bet Now' button below, sign up, and create your account.

DraftKings Sportsbook

And finally, DraftKings Louisiana is also giving early sign-ups $100 in free bets upon registration. To grab the promo, just hit the 'Bet Now' button below, sign up, and create your account.

A first for betting in the Deep South

Louisiana will become the first state in the Deep South to allow mobile betting once the practice launches in early 2022. Similar measures are under consideration in the neighboring states of Arkansas and Mississippi, which currently allow only retail sports betting.

Voters in 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes approved sports betting in a 2020 statewide referendum, and in June Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill legalizing in-person sports wagering in those parishes that gave it the OK. Eight state-registered riverboat casinos began accepting legal sports bets in November.

In their first month of business, the sportsbooks at those casinos reported more than $5.6 million in revenue on more than $27 million in wagers, according to data from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board as reported by KLFY-TV of Lafayette, La. The vast majority of the bets were placed on NFL betting markets. The state’s 20 casinos and racetracks are all expected to eventually receive authorization to begin taking sports wagers.

About the Author

David Caraviello

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Veteran sports journalist David Caraviello has covered college football, college basketball, motorsports and golf, covering all three US golf majors, the Daytona 500 and SEC football.