You’re standing in a sports bar in Baton Rouge, phone in hand, trying to put twenty bucks on the Saints. Or maybe you're up in Shreveport. Either way, the question of is sports betting legal in Louisiana isn't just a simple yes or no. It’s a "yes, but where exactly are you standing?"
Louisiana handles gambling differently than almost any other state. Instead of one blanket law for everyone, the state let individual parishes decide. It’s a patchwork. It's quirky. Honestly, it’s very Louisiana.
As of January 2026, the short answer is that sports betting is legal in Louisiana, but only in 55 of the 64 parishes. If you happen to be in one of the nine "no" parishes, your app will literally freeze you out.
The Parish Patchwork: Why Geofencing Matters
When voters went to the polls back in 2020, they didn't all see eye-to-eye. Most of the state—especially the high-population hubs like New Orleans, Metairie, and Lafayette—jumped at the chance to legalize. But nine rural parishes said "no thanks."
If you are physically located in any of these nine parishes, you cannot legally place a mobile bet:
- Caldwell
- Catahoula
- Franklin
- Jackson
- La Salle
- Sabine
- Union
- West Carroll
- Winn
This creates some weird situations. You could be driving down a highway, cross a parish line, and suddenly your FanDuel or DraftKings app stops working. The apps use high-precision geofencing technology. They know exactly where you are. You can’t spoof it with a VPN either; these companies have seen every trick in the book.
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The 2025-2026 Tax Shift and College Sports
If you've noticed the odds shifting slightly or fewer "free" promos lately, there’s a reason. In mid-2025, Governor Jeff Landry signed Act No. 298 (previously House Bill 639). This was a massive deal for the industry.
Essentially, Louisiana hiked the tax on mobile sports betting from 15% to 21.5%.
Why? To fund the athletes.
Louisiana became the first state to specifically earmark a chunk of sports betting revenue to support college athletic departments. About 25% of that tax money now goes into the "SPORT Fund." This money helps schools like LSU, Louisiana Tech, and Southern University deal with the new world of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and direct player payments.
"We love football in Louisiana – that’s the easiest way to say it," Representative Neil Riser said when the bill passed. He wasn't kidding. The state is literally using gambling to keep its college teams competitive.
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What You Can (and Can't) Bet On
Louisiana is pretty liberal with its betting markets, but there are guardrails. You’ve got the standard NFL, NBA, and MLB stuff, obviously. You can also bet on college sports, which isn't true in every state.
However, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) has been tightening the screws lately.
- No College Player Props: In 2024, the state banned "proposition" bets on individual college athletes. You can bet on LSU to win, but you can't bet on how many yards a specific college quarterback will throw for. This was done to protect students from harassment and "integrity issues."
- Strict Stance on Prediction Markets: As of late 2025, the LGCB, led by Chairman Christopher Hebert, issued a stern warning against "prediction markets" like Kalshi or Polymarket. The state views these as unlicensed gambling. If an app isn't specifically licensed by the LGCB, it’s a no-go.
- Pro Player Props: These are still mostly fine, though there is ongoing chatter in 2026 about limiting "under" bets or bets on bench players to prevent scandals.
The Big Players: Which Apps Are Legal?
There are currently nine major online sportsbooks operating in the state. Each one has to be "tethered" to a physical casino. You can't just launch a digital-only book in Louisiana; you need a brick-and-mortar partner.
- DraftKings: Partnered with Golden Nugget Lake Charles.
- FanDuel: Partnered with Treasure Chest Casino.
- BetMGM: Partnered with Sam’s Town.
- Caesars: The heavy hitter in New Orleans (Harrah’s).
- Fanatics Sportsbook: One of the newer entries, launched in late 2024.
- ESPN Bet: Taking over many of the Penn Entertainment spots.
- bet365: Known for its massive global market.
If you prefer the old-school vibe, retail sportsbooks are all over the place. You’ll find them at the riverboats in Bossier City, the "racinos" like Delta Downs, and of course, the big land-based casino in New Orleans.
Myths vs. Reality
Some people think you have to be a Louisiana resident to bet. Not true. You just have to be 21 or older and inside a legal parish. If you’re a tourist visiting the French Quarter, you’re good to go.
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Another common myth: "Offshore sites are legal if the state apps don't work."
Technically, sites like Bovada or BetOnline operate in a legal gray area because they are based outside the US, but they are not licensed by Louisiana. If you have a dispute with them, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board can’t help you. You're on your own. Stick to the regulated apps if you want your money protected.
Actionable Steps for Louisiana Bettors
If you’re ready to get started, don't just download the first app you see.
- Check Your Parish: Download a "GPS Status" app or just check Google Maps if you’re near a border like the one between Sabine and Natchitoches.
- Compare the "Hold": With the new 21.5% tax, some books might offer slightly worse lines to cover their costs. Check the "juice" or "vig" on a few different apps before locking in a big bet.
- Use the LGCB Resources: If you feel like a sportsbook is treating you unfairly, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board has a formal complaint process.
- Set Your Limits: Every legal app in LA is required by law to have "Responsible Gaming" tools. Use them to set a monthly deposit cap.
The landscape is still moving. With the 2026 Winter Olympics around the corner, expect a flurry of new "advisories" from the state regulators on what's allowed. Louisiana stays on top of this stuff because the revenue—nearly $100 million annually in tax collections—is too important to mess up.
Stay within the 55 parishes, keep it on the licensed apps, and you’re perfectly within the law.
Next Steps for You:
Check the official Louisiana Gaming Control Board website to see the most recent "suitability" list. This ensures the app you are using hasn't had its license suspended or changed due to the 2025 tax updates. If you are physically near a parish line, toggle your WiFi on; it helps the geofencing software confirm your location more accurately than cellular data alone.