Who can make use of this guide?
To put it simply this is for anyone looking who’s into sports betting in Louisiana. Whether you’re looking to place your first ever bet or or an experienced bettor looking to find the best betting sites louisiana has to offer, there will be something in this guide for you.
Nothing stands still in the world of online sports betting Louisiana, whether it’s a change in how an operator works, an update in legislation or simply a shift in where the value lies among the top US bookies. There’s always something new to learn and that’s where this guide comes in.
The complex legal past of sports betting in Louisiana
It’s been a long time in the pipeline but online sports betting is finally legal within Louisiana. Online sports betting in Louisiana was eventually legalized as of Friday, January 28th 2022. There is a very important caveat to the legalization however, as it only covers 56 out of the 64 parishes within Louisiana. These are in line with the parishes who voted for legalizing online sports betting.
The state has had a complex relationship with the entire concept of gambling. From settlers setting up billiard halls and the first state sponsored lottery in the 1700s, to a federal ban in 1812. The state opinion swung again 1866 with the state lottery set up and successful, to yet another ban later in the 1890s.
It was the 1990s when the movement to legalize gambling and sports betting began to pick up steam yet again. In 1991 the state lottery was finally reintroduced with Louisiana, approving 15 riverboat casinos that year. A couple of years later, three Native American bands opened tribal casinos with a fourth following soon after.
Despite these developments, it took another 30 years before any more progress could be made on the sports betting front. In 2018, 47 out of the parishes within the state voted to legalize and allow daily fantasy sports betting, but difficulties with the tax side of the bill caused lengthy delays.
But on November 3, 2020 there was a major breakthrough. When on Election Day, 56 of the 64 Louisiana parishes voted to legalize betting on sports Louisiana lawmakers and the decision makers kicked into action with House Bill 697, signed by Governor John Bel Edwards on June 3rd 2021.
Retail sports betting becomes legal in late 2021 with the date for the launch of online sports betting confirmed for the 28th of January 2022 – and most major North American brands launching in the state on the same day including BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Barstool Sportsbook, FanDuel and DraftKings.
Editor’s recommendation -BetMGM – the best all round operator in Louisiana
Despite there being plenty of top options for online sports betting in Louisiana, the operator we are recommending is BetMGM Louisiana Online Sportsbook. The BetMGM brand is one of the strongest names within American sports betting, with its services available in almost all of the states with legalized online betting. And there is a reason for that, the product is almost flawless with a polished appearance.
The depth of markets offered is excellent, all the major American sports are covered as would be expected, but they then go well beyond these shores. European sports such as soccer, cricket and handball are offered, along with niche winter sports such as luge, skeleton and ski jumping – an almost unparalleled offering within the USA.
It’s far from just their markets that make them our recommendation, their bonuses and promotions offer great value for their customers. Whether it is a risk free first bet of up to $1000. their Money Monday bonus or even their refer a friend scheme, the bonuses add an extra layer to an already solid product.
BetMGM also offer markets on college level sports, plenty of live streaming options on their markets, a polished and very easy to use website and mobile app, and access to MGM Resorts loyalty program, M Life Rewards.
Five tips to bet securely in Louisiana
Check the sportsbook’s legality
Using a legal sportsbook is the only true way to make sure you have a safe, regulated and enjoyable betting experience within Louisiana. With the recent nature of the legalization within Louisiana, that means the process of licensing and approvals to new operators will still be ongoing.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board is the group tasked with regulating and approving sports betting in Louisiana. Most sportsbooks will have the fact they are licensed on their website. However if it’s unclear, a list is available on the board’s website.
Is your money and information safe?
Once you’ve determined the sportsbook is fully licensed, then you’ll need to know if your money and information is going to be safe. A website’s security is arguably the most important aspect of their product.
When you’re checking to see if a website is safe then what you are looking for is their SSL (secure socket layer) certificate. This has become a lot easier to find in recent times, most browsers will now feature a padlock icon in the URL bar if it is a secure site. In some browsers though, you may have to check the URL itself. A https:// URL shows a site is secure whilst a http:// web address is not and should be avoided
Is there anything hidden in the T&Cs?
Right now, it’s time to take a look at the fine print, this is where most businesses will try and hide anything they don’t want you to really focus on. Make sure to go through it with a fine tooth comb and see if anything catches your eye; it can be a simple way to avoid a negative experience further down the line.
If a terms and conditions section is extremely short and vague this should be a red flag too, the best run sportsbooks give detailed information that leaves no doubt. It’s usually those who care less about their customer service who neglect it.
What do the site’s users say?
You can do all the due diligence and checks possible, but the best people to ask are those who have first hand experience of the operator.
Check their user reviews and look for trends. Are there repeated failures in their offering? Is their customer service lacking? Focus on more recent sportsbook reviews to see if these issues are still occurring.
Remember that recent trends are the key. One off complaints could be explained or be down to an annoyed bettor taking out frustrations.
Have a look at our operator sportsbook reviews
Here at TheGruelingTruth.com we have guides, reviews and comparisons to cover all sports, all operators, bonuses and even across all the states.
We put a great deal of effort, research and detail into our guides and sportsbook review that allows us to present you all the information from our expert writers, and guide you through the process. Whether betting with Louisiana or going further afield like trying to find the best Nevada betting sites or if you’re looking for New York sports betting sites.
What do we look for when evaluating operators for Louisiana residents?
Do they offer good value?
It’s top of the list and for good reason, there’s no point recommending an operator if their odds are consistently well below the rest of the market.
We look to see how their odds stack up against the competitors and see if they are offering their customers a good set of odds.
What’s their bonuses like?
Bonuses and promotions are a key part of all the best betting sites Louisiana has to offer. A strong set of bonuses can turn a good operator into a great one.
It’s more than just looking at how many bonuses the operator offers, but also how varied and consistent they are. Do their bonuses cover specific sports? Are they offered all year round? Do they actually offer value or is it more of a gimmick? These are all questions we ask when looking at an operator.
Is their site easy to use?
No one wants a clunky experience full of bugs and glitches, especially if your betting live and timing is crucial. That’s why we take great care to use an operator’s website and gain a true understanding of it’s quality and ease of use.
Are their markets varied?
Variety is the spice of life. Whilst you may have your favorite sport that you go to all the time to bet on, that doesn’t mean you might not fancy something different. Sportsbooks that offer overseas sports as well as US sports, have an advantage, especially when it comes to major events like the FIFA World Cup.
Do they offer something unique?
This is typically more of a cherry on the cake rather than a deal breaker, but it can be a key point of comparison for us when looking at two seemingly even bookmakers.
If a bookie offers something slightly out of the ordinary, like a newer type of bet like FanDuel did with their same game parlays, a live streaming option or even a page full of stats etc on their website, it can lead to a better experience.
Our favorite providers
1.
BET $20 GET $200 IN FREE BETS
SI Sportsbook Sports Bonus
BET $20 GET $200 IN FREE BETS
Highlights
- Impressive $50 free bet bonus
- Easy-to-navigate website and mobile platform
- Plenty of betting options
First deposit only | 21+ & located in VA | Promo code as seen| A qualifying bet is $20 or more | Min odds of +120 or more | Free Bet Tokens credited after bet is settled and expire after 7 days | Free Bet stakes not included in winnings | Please Gamble Responsibly – Gambling Problem? VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500 | Full T&C apply
2.
DraftKings Sports Bonus
20% up to $1000
Highlights
- Superb range of different sporting leagues
- Effective in-play betting feature
- Exciting fantasy team building
3.
No Sweat First Bet up to $3,000
FanDuel Sports Bonus
No Sweat First Bet up to $3,000
Highlights
- Well-known company
- Excellent range of markets
- Clever site design
4.
PointsBet Sports Bonus
–
Highlights
- Well-regarded brand
- User friendly website and app
- Includes all major sports markets
5.
BetMGM Sports Bonus
100% up to $1000
Highlights
- Excellent range of sports betting markets
- Straightforward user experience
- Competitive odds
Finding the right operator for you – what suits you best?
Whilst we’ve already gone through the top things we always look for when making our guides, it will also help you if you know what you are looking for personally. Here’s some advice from us on how to find the right operator.
Night owl?
If you prefer to place your bets well outside of traditional hours, then that is something you need to consider. Look for an operator with a 24 hour customer service option and also consider operators that offer worldwide markets, so regardless of time zones, there will be a market.
Want to see the action unfold?
If you are a gambler who chooses to watch your bets play out, then you will want to prioritize an operator that offers live streaming on its markets. This will particularly help when it comes to events that aren’t televised.
Keen to see your loyalty valued?
Do you tend to use the same operator regularly and want to see that loyalty repaid to you in some form? Then an operator such as BetMGM with a strong loyalty program, is a good option.
Do you enjoy niche or overseas sports?
Not everyone likes the same things, that’s a universal fact that rings true in online sports betting. So you should look for operators that offer a variety of more niche and foreign markets.
Conclusion – bet in Louisiana now
Having read this guide, you should now be well placed to find the best betting sites Louisiana has to offer you. Whilst we believe BetMGM offers the most complete package available, this doesn’t mean it is your best option. That’s when the tips in this guide come in to help you understand what you want and how to find it.
Check out the rest of our guides and advice at TheGruelingTruth.com, keep these tips in mind and check out our sportsbook reviews as you look to make a decision on the sportsbook for you.
Take a look a these great bonuses
1.
BET $20 GET $200 IN FREE BETS
First deposit only | 21+ & located in VA | Promo code as seen| A qualifying bet is $20 or more | Min odds of +120 or more | Free Bet Tokens credited after bet is settled and expire after 7 days | Free Bet stakes not included in winnings | Please Gamble Responsibly – Gambling Problem? VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500 | Full T&C apply
2.
Bonus Details
Requirements (WR):
25x Bonus
3.
No Sweat First Bet up to $3,000
4.
5.
Bonus Details
Requirements (WR):
1x Bonus
Sports Betting in Louisiana FAQ
🏈 Is sports betting legal in Louisiana?
Sports betting has had a complex history in Louisiana with it being legalized and banned a number of times in the past. In our guide, we delve into all you need to know about sportsbook betting in the state. Looking for more states for legal online betting? Read our guide on the best sports betting Las Vegas can offer to get the full history and current situation.
💻 What is the best sports betting site to use in Louisiana?
There’s a strong set of operators for betting on sports. Louisiana bettors can use a number of sportsbooks and they all offer different qualities depending on what you are looking to get out of your betting experience. Follow our guide to learn how to spot the operator for you.
✅How do I know a Louisiana sportsbook is legit?
Sportsbooks within the USA have to be approved and regulated by whatever state they are operating in. The state’s gaming commission will often be the group tasked with this. You can use our sportsbook reviews to find out if a sportsbook is approved.
