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
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 |
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Betonline Sportsbook | 50% Max $2500 |  |
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Sportsbetting | 75% Max $1000 | |
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Visit Site |
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Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Max $250 | |
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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. 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?
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.