Casinos in Northern Louisiana include Harrah's Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Casino Magic, Isle of Capri and Horseshoe. Sam's Town and Hollywood Casino are in Shreveport. Visitors to Shreveport on. The Impact of Gambling in Louisiana was produced with funding from the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Behavioral Health. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of any. The parishes that approved represent most of Louisiana's population, including all of the major metro areas, in a state that already has a lottery, casinos, video poker and slot machines at.
- Lottery (1868-1893, 1990-present), Racing (1852-1868, 1971-present), Bingo (1987), Casinos (1991), Truck Stop/Tavern Video Poker (1991)
- $670 million
- $2.9 billion
- 18 for racing and charitable gambling, 21 for lotteries and casinos
- Louisiana permits smoking in casinos. New Orleans bans smoking at Harrah’s through city ordinance.
- Horse racing
Louisiana gambling has the deepest roots of any other state in the South. It was home to the first racing industry in the region. It also hosted the most infamous lottery racket in history.
Modern day Louisiana gambling is still among the most friendly in the South. It hosts a lottery, horse racing, off-track betting, charitable gaming and full-scale Louisiana casinos. About half of the parishes legalized video poker at bars, taverns and truck stops. These types of sin have become a part of the state’s history.
With a total of 21 Louisiana casinos, six of them being Native American casinos, there are plenty of locations to choose from. Depending on your location, you can check the Louisiana casinos map and find the nearest one.
Paying Gambling Taxes in Louisiana
Did you know that your gambling income is taxable? OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings straight from a Certified Public Accountant. For more information please visit our exclusive Gambling Taxes article.
November 2018 Update
After the midterm elections, Daily Fantasy Sports will be a reality in the state. Residents decided to approve an initiative to allow the contests. Out of the 64 parishes in the state, 47 were in favor of legalizing daily fantasy sports. Those who voted in approval will be able to offer the option.
Due to the state constitution prohibiting gambling, legislation implementing the initiative will state that participation in a fantasy sports contest will not be considered gambling.
Louisiana Casinos Map & Guide
- Harrah’s
- Golden Nugget
- Boomtown
- Horseshoe Casino
- Paragon Casino
- 21
- 13
- 6
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Types of Louisiana Online Gambling Allowed
The only form of legal Louisiana online gambling is off-track betting. Horses are the only types of races permitted.
Daily fantasy sports are illegal in Louisiana. The state forbids games of any chance, as well as all forms of online gambling not specifically legalized by statute. Louisiana takes a hard line against illegal online gambling operators. Most offshore poker, casino, and sports betting sites do not even attempt to take action from Louisianans.
Types of Live Louisiana Gambling
- Slots: Yes
- Blackjack: Yes
- Poker: Yes
- Craps/Roulette: Yes
- Horses: Yes
- Lottery: Yes
There are many forms of live gambling in Louisiana. No other state in the South compares to it.
Horseracing is one of the original forms of gambling in Louisiana. There are several tracks in the state that offer live and simulcast racing. There is a state lottery that sells scratch-off and lotto tickets.
Charities are permitted to sell bingo cards, raffle tickets, and pools that involve games of chance. These must be operated by nonprofit organizations that register with the state.
There are plenty of legal Louisiana casinos that offer all of the popular games. There are three types of casinos in Louisiana. There are riverboat casinos, which comprises all but one commercial Louisiana casino. Harrah’s New Orleans has a special arrangement that allows it to be on land. That is because it guarantees a minimum number of jobs. There are also Native American Louisiana casinos located on reservation land.
The most unusual form of live gambling in Louisiana is video poker. It is not legal everywhere. Local jurisdictions decide whether video poker should be permitted through referendums. As of February 2016, 31 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes legalized video poker in one form or another. Some allow it in taverns while others expand that right to racetracks and/or truck stops.
Louisiana Gambling Laws
There is unusual minimum gambling ages in Louisiana. Minimum Louisiana gambling age for Bingo and racing players is 18 years to get into action. The state lottery requires players to be at least 21 years old. Louisiana casinos and convenience-style video poker also have a minimum gambling age of 21 years.
Louisiana gambling laws specifically prohibits all forms of internet gambling. Online gamblers face a fine of up to $500 for participating. Louisiana is one of just two states with explicit penalties for players. While gambling online is a misdemeanor, site operators of unlicensed poker, casino, and sports betting sites face felonies if convicted of the crime.
Louisiana casinos are required to be located on bodies of water. There are currently 15 Louisiana casino licenses for commercial operations. Five casinos in Shreveport. Four casinos in Lake Charles. There are three casinos in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Harrah’s New Orleans is the exception to this rule. In exchange for this monopoly, Harrah’s must employ at least 2,400 people. These positions are not required to be full time. Harrah’s was required to pay a $100 million annual tax payment to the state. That was later lowered to $60 million.
The original agreement with the state did not permit Harrah’s to have a hotel. This was repealed in 2001. Harrah’s was also permitted to open a full-service restaurant at that time. These conditions were originally placed on the casino to prevent it from taking business away from other businesses in downtown New Orleans.
There are 31 parishes that permit video poker. Each local jurisdiction has the right to determine where these devices may be hosted or whether the games are outright illegal. The tax rate is 26% for games located in bars and restaurants. Racetracks get a discounted 22.5% tax rate. Truck stops must pay 32.5% in taxes. Local governments receive 20% of the taxes collected. Other funds go towards local law enforcement, problem gambling, and horsemen. Two-thirds of the taxes collected go to the general fund of the state.
List of Louisiana Casinos
There are four racetracks and 28 Louisiana casinos that currently operate within the state. There are 31 parishes where video poker is available in some capacity. There is also a state lottery and a wide range of charitable organizations that spread games of chance.
You can find all Louisiana casinos below, with details on their location, size, and website. For more detailed information on locating them, you can use our Louisiana casinos map to help guide you to the closest one.
Casino | Size | Address | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Amelia Belle Casino | 800 Slot Machines | 500 Lake Palourde Rd. | www.ameliabellecasino.com |
Belle of Baton Rouge Casino | 750 Slot Machines | 103 France St. | www.belleofbatonrouge.com |
Boomtown Casino – Bossier City | 1,100 Slot Machines | 300 Riverside Dr. | www.boomtownbossier.com |
Boomtown New Orleans | 1,250 Slot Machines | 4132 Peters Rd. | www.boomtownneworleans.com |
Coushatta Casino – Kinder | 2,800 Slot Machines | 777 Coushatta Dr. | www.coushattacasinoresort.com |
Cypress Bayou Casino – Charenton | 600 Slot Machines | 832 Martin Luther King Rd. | www.cypressbayou.com |
Delta Downs Casino – Vinton | 1,600 Slot Machines | 2717 Delta Downs Dr. | www.deltadowns.com |
Diamond Jacks Casino – Bossier City | 1,000 Slot Machines | 711 Diamondjacks Blvd. | www.diamondjacks.com |
Eldorado Casino – Shreveport | 1,500 Slot Machines | 451 Clyde Fant Pkwy | www.eldoradoshreveport.com |
Evangeline Downs – Opelousas | 1,400 Slot Machines | 2235 Cresswell Lane Extension | www.evangelinedowns.com |
Fair Grounds Race Course and Casino – New Orleans | 600 Slot Machines | 1751 Gentilly Blvd. | www.fairgroundsracecourse.com |
Golden Nugget – Lake Charles | 1,600 Slot Machines | 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. | www.goldennugget.com |
Harrah’s Louisiana Downs – Bossier City | 1,300 Slot Machines | 8000 E. Texas St. | www.caesars.com |
Harrah’s – New Orleans | 1,700 Slot Machines | 228 Poydras St. | www.caesars.com |
Hollywood Casino – Baton Rouge | 1,500 Slot Machines | North, 1717 River Rd. | www.hollywoodbr.com |
Horseshoe Casino – Bossier City | 1,500 Slot Machines | 711 Horseshoe Blvd. | www.caesars.com |
Isle of Capri – Lake Charles | 1,150 Slot Machines | 100 Westlake Ave. | www.isleofcapricasinos.com |
Choctaw Pines Casino – Dry Pong | 700 Slot Machines | 149 149 Chahta Trails | www.jenachoctawpinescasino.com |
L’Auberge Casino – Baton Rouge | 1,500 Slot Machines | 777 L’Auberge Ave. | www.lbatonrouge.com |
L’Auberge Casino – Lake Charles | 1,600 Slot Machines | 777 Ave. L’Auberge | www.llakecharles.com |
Margaritaville Casino – Bossier City | 1,200 Slot Machines | 777 Margaritaville Way | www.margaritavillebossiercity.com |
Paragon Casino – Marksville | 2,000 Slot Machines | 711 Paragon Place | www.paragoncasinoresort.com |
Sam’s Town – Shreveport | 1,000 Slot Machines | 315 Clyde Fant Pkwy | www.samstownshreveport.com |
Treasure Chest Casino – Kenner | 1,000 Slot Machines | 5050 Williams Blvd. | www.treasurechest.com |
Louisiana Racetracks
- Louisiana Downs – Bossier City
- Evangeline Downs – Opelousas
- Delta Downs – Vinton
- Fairgrounds Race Course – New Orleans
History of Louisiana Gambling
The first form of organized gambling in Louisiana was a government-run casino in 1753. There were more places to gamble in Louisiana than nearly any other city in the early 1800’s. The federal government had enough of the rampant gambling in the territory and banned casinos in 1812. The law exempted New Orleans. The legality of casinos bounced back and forth until 1866.
The first version of the Louisiana Lotterystarted in 1866. The state outlawed all other forms of gambling at that time. A private company operated the lottery. It paid the state $40,000 a year. This early form of the Louisiana Lottery accepted action across state lines. It held a near-100% market share in the country. Tickets and transactions were handled by mail. This was legal at the time but Congress deemed it unlawful on 1890. The lottery became so despised that the state legislature repealed it in 1893.
Horseracing was legalized in 1929. The first track was at the New Orleans Fair Grounds. It was the only place in the state where gambling was regulated at the time. A state lottery was created in 1991 through a constitutional referendum.
Louisiana Casinos are Legalized
Casinos in Louisiana were legalized the same year as the lottery. Poker machine cheats. Fifteen casino licenses were created where all but one, are required to be located on bodies of water. The other is in downtown New Orleans. Harrah’s New Orleans agreed to several restrictions to bypass the water-based requirement. It must employ 2,400 people. It was not permitted a hotel in its early years. This Louisiana casino had trouble reopening after the destruction of New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina. The casino was not damaged as it is built several feet above the streets and in an area not flooded due to its elevation. It was difficult to find the required number of employees.
Harrah’s New Orleans has another issue affecting its operation these days. The New Orleans City Council banned smoking at Harrah’s in 2015. This did not affect the other casinos in the metro area. Harrah’s saw an immediate drop in business of 20-25%.
Four Native American tribes negotiated gaming pacts with the state under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. There are six Native American casinos in Louisiana located on reservation lands.
Video poker started to appear in truck stops and bars in the 1980’s. The games were a problem and the state decided to legalize them in 1991 to generate tax revenue. This was met with opposition from conservative groups. The state permitted each parish to determine the legality of video poker in 1996. Voters approved video poker in 31 of the 66 parishes.
Louisiana Casinos & Gambling FAQ
Yes, there are currently 21 casinos in Louisiana.
The minimum Louisiana gambling age is 18 years for racing and charitable gambling, and 21 years for lotteries and casinos.
Rules to card game casino. Slots, video poker, live poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Pai Gow Poker and baccarat are among the casino games available in the state.
No. There is one land-based casino in New Orleans and six reservation casinos.
Harrah’s agreed to keep 2,400 employees on the payroll in exchange for dropping the requirement of being on the Mississippi River. It also pays a $60 million per year licensing tax that does not apply to other casinos.
Why is smoking banned at Harrah’s New Orleans and not other Louisiana casinos?
There is no statewide smoking ban in Louisiana. New Orleans passed a city ordinance banning smoking in all indoor areas, including casinos. Harrah’s is the only casino in the city limits.
Yes. It sells scratch-off and lotto tickets.
Yes. This includes live races, race books, and mobile betting.
State law expressly forbids online gambling. State residents can be fined up to $500, although no player has ever been convicted. Off-track racing is exempted.
Are daily fantasy sports sites legal in Louisiana?
Daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel are illegal in the state.
Louisiana, the Bayou State, home to such places as Baton Rouge and New Orleans, is a lively region rich in culture and entertainment. New Orleans, the state’s largest city, is home to a lot of action in the state including casinos, Mardi Gras, the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans. While Louisiana residents may have gambling in their state through riverboat casinos, horse racing and other means, sports betting is a much trickier subject. Using this guide, Louisiana residents can get information on the relevant laws and regulations applied to sports betting in the state. We also provide comprehensive information concerning the various licensed and regulated offshore sportsbooks that can serve as legal betting options.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Louisiana?
This is actually a hard question to answer. Federal laws effectively prohibit US based sports betting both online and offline in Louisiana. So state licensed sports betting is not legal in LA. State gambling laws in the Bayou State do address online gambling, and could be interpreted to include offshore Internet wagering as well. It is a gray area and when a definitive explanation is lacking, all you can do is assess the risks and make the best decision for you and your specific situation. Taking into account the anti-gambling wording of the state’s laws when it comes to Internet wagering, it is a possibility, a remote one, but still a possibility that law enforcement and the courts could interpret these laws to render online gambling of any kind illegal. With no established method for monitoring online gambling activity, the state currently has no way to even identify who is participating, nor have they shown an interest in doing so. The fact is that Louisiana residents represent a significant segment of bettors at licensed offshore sportsbooks, and nobody seems to have a problem with it at this point. We cannot guarantee that will never change though.
Most Trusted Online Sportsbooks Accepting Louisiana Residents
Louisiana Gambling Laws
Despite the fact that state based sports betting is illegal in LA, there are some legitimate online betting options for Louisiana residents interested in legally sanctioned opportunities to bet on sports. These sportsbooks are all legally licensed and regulated and possess the proper certifications for them to operate legally within the industry. They also have strong security practices that work to keep your information safe. The list below is electively made up of industry leading online sportsbook options for Louisiana residents. While the laws in LA are murky concerning whether or not offshore betting is illegal, restricting your action to only legally licensed and regulated destinations puts you in the safest position possible.
Logo | Site Name | Bonus | Rating | USA | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Betonline Sportsbook | 50% Max $2500 | Visit Site | |||
Sportsbetting | 75% Max $1000 | Visit Site | |||
Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Max $250 | Visit Site |
How State and Federal Laws Regulate Sports Betting in Louisiana
On a federal level, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the Federal Wire Act and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act all regulate sports betting—however they regulate US-based sports betting. China mystery casino game. Louisiana state law has authorized some forms of gambling, but sports betting does not fall in that realm, nor could it without violating PASPA and/or the Federal Wire Act.
Also, Louisiana legislators have targeted state based online gambling and deemed it illegal. Louisiana state law 90.3B states that “gambling by computer is the intentional conducting, or directly assisting in the conducting as a business of any game, contest, lottery or contrivance whereby a person risks the loss of anything of value in order to realize a profit when accessing the Internet, World Wide Web or any part thereof by way of any computer, computer system, computer network, computer software or any server.” As mentioned above, it is a possibility that this law can be interpreted to include offshore betting, though it does not expressly indicate so. No arrests or investigations have taken place concerning online gambling as of yet, so the law has never been applied to anyone betting online thus far.
The federal laws like PASPA, the Federal Wire Act and the UIGEA don’t prevent Louisiana residents from betting with these offshore sportsbooks because they are outside the jurisdiction of federal law. Therefore, there are no federal laws that make it a crime for LA residents to enjoy licensed offshore sportsbook gambling. Louisiana gambling law specifically cites Internet wagering in their state laws and their definition could be interpreted to include sports betting. This technically makes sports betting online illegal, even if it is not US-based. However, the amount of resources it would take to actually monitor all of Louisiana residents’ Internet usage and also to enforce that law would be immense. It’s not likely the state would go through all that trouble—but it’s also not impossible. Therefore, Louisiana residents can use these offshore sportsbooks, as they accept Louisiana residents, but they are doing so with some risk involved.
Popular Sports Teams To Bet On In Louisiana
The New Orleans Saints make up the state’s NFL presence. The Saints went 7-9 this year and finished 3rd in the NFC South. They do have good players in QB Drew Brees, RB Mark Ingram and WR Brandin Cooks. Louisiana also has an NBA team in the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans sit in 12th place of a tough Western Conference and are led by franchise player Anthony Davis.
NFL Teams in LA
NBA Teams in LA
FAQs About Betting On Sports
Can I Place Bets At These Offshore Sportsbooks Without Getting In Trouble?
Can you – yes. Should you – that is something you have to consider. While these sportsbooks and the bettors who use them are unaffected by federal laws (since those only apply to US-based sports betting), Louisiana state law restricts online gambling and their definition of such could be stretched to include online sports betting at offshore betting sites. It’s highly improbable that Louisiana law enforcement would actually enforce this law, as that would require lots of resources, money and time. However, technically it is not impossible. That’s why it’s up to Louisiana residents’ discretion whether they want to use these sportsbooks or not.
How Do I Register For An Account At An Online Sportsbook Accepting Louisiana Residents?
Once you pick the sportsbooks you’d like to bet with, all you have to do is enter some personal information in order to create your account. There will be some verification procedures as part of their security protocol. You may be asked to provide a copy of your photo ID and a picture of the credit/debit card you’re using (should you choose to use one). Regardless, your information is kept safe through secure servers. You can start betting once your account has been verified and you’ve made a deposit.
Can I Bet On Teams Outside My State?
Yes. The Pelicans or Saints not your team? Not a problem. You can bet on any team in any of the major professional leagues. There are also bets on NCAA games, amateur leagues and international games and leagues.
How Do I Start Betting?
Once you’ve made and verified your account, your next step is to make a deposit. You can’t place a bet until you have money in your sportsbook account. You can make deposits in several ways. Some of the more popular options include credit/debit cards, wire transfers or Bitcoin.
What Features Do These Sportsbooks Offer?
On top of the extensive range of betting lines available, these sportsbooks offer things like live betting, live chat, mobile betting apps, bonuses and more. Live betting allows you to place bets while a game is happening in real time. The live chat feature allows you to talk with a representative instantly to resolve any questions or issues. Mobile betting is typically offered through a web based, mobile optimized application that seamlessly delivers your account management features and betting experience to your smartphone or tablet. Bonuses are free money offers that give bettors more bankroll to bet with.
Can I Browse Betting Lines Before Depositing Money?
Yes. You can even browse betting lines before registering for an account. This way, you can see if you like the odds the sportsbook offers before signing up for an account. We recommend that you explore the sportsbook destination’s betting lines, interface, features, banking environment and services prior to depositing any money. Its always easier to walk away before you invest.
Are There Any Sports Teams in Louisiana That Have A Shot At Winning A National Title in 2017/2018?
Gambling Places In Louisiana State Parks
It’s possible, but doubtful. The Saints missed the playoffs this year and QB Drew Brees’ future is uncertain as he enters the twilight of his career, albeit still an elite competitor. The Pelicans are in the Western Conference and have to face very tough opponents. They’ll need to make some roster changes if they want to make the playoffs.