Louisiana has legal online sports betting (since 2022) and a deep horse-racing scene, but no real-money online casino. Sweepstakes casinos were effectively criminalized in 2026 under new racketeering and illegal-gambling laws.
Louisiana approved sports betting by parish referendum (2020); online sports betting launched in early 2022, regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board at a 15% online tax (21+). It’s legal in the 55 parishes that opted in. Horse racing is legal at 18+, anchored by the Fair Grounds. Real-money online casino and poker are not legal, and sweepstakes casinos were criminalized in 2026.
For sports betting, FanDuel‘s Bet $5, Get $350 is the standout β the bonus is guaranteed (not win-dependent) for just $5 a day across a week, with a low entry and a 7-day expiry on each drop. BetRivers’ 2nd Chance Bet up to $500 is the better fit if you’d rather make one larger first wager with a loss-refund safety net.
For the horses, AmWager‘s 100% match up to $50 (code AMWAGER) is the racing pick.
Best for a new customer in Louisiana: FanDuel, for the guaranteed $350 value and the low $5 entry. AmWager is the add-on pick if you also bet the races.
Louisiana Gaming Control Board-licensed online sportsbooks (in opted-in parishes). 21+. Online betting is taxed at 15%; college player props are banned.
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Louisiana has a rich racing tradition β the Fair Grounds, Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs. Pari-mutuel ADW betting is legal at 18+. AmWager leads on track count and rebates.
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Banned. In 2026 Gov. Jeff Landry signed HB 53, expanding the state’s racketeering laws to cover sweepstakes casinos, and HB 883, broadening the definition of illegal online gambling. VGW had already pulled Sweeps Coins games from Louisiana in 2025. Operating sweepstakes casinos in Louisiana now carries serious legal exposure.
Free-play social casinos (no prizes) remain legal.
Contested. Prediction markets run under federal CFTC rules; their Louisiana status is unsettled amid the national dispute over sports event contracts.
Real-money online casino and online poker are not legal in Louisiana, and sweepstakes casinos are now criminalized. Sports betting and horse racing are the legal online options.
Louisiana has a healthy sports + racing market and a now-closed door on sweepstakes.
No. Real-money online casino and poker are not legal in Louisiana.
No. In 2026 Louisiana criminalized sweepstakes casinos via HB 53 (racketeering) and HB 883. Free-play social casinos remain legal.
Yes, since 2022, in the 55 parishes that opted in, regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board at a 15% tax. 21+.
Yes, at 18+, through ADW apps such as AmWager, with the Fair Grounds as a flagship track.
Compare what's legal in states bordering Louisiana.