Louisiana Online Gambling
The Louisiana online gambling environment is permissive in some ways and unusually strict in others. Unlike many states, Louisiana lacks significant legal gray areas; most activities are either explicitly illegal or actively regulated.
For instance, online sports betting, daily fantasy sports, and online horse racing wagering are expressly legal and regulated in Louisiana. On the other hand, Louisiana is one of the only states that explicitly prohibits using the internet to patronize online casinos and poker sites.
State laws prohibiting online sports betting in some parishes and daily fantasy sports in others further increase the complexity of Louisiana’s online gambling landscape.
Read on for a straightforward Louisiana online gambling explainer, where we explain what’s legal (and where), how the law impacts players, and more.
Legal Louisiana Gambling Sites
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+ and present in LA (permitted parishes only). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-877-770-STOP.
Louisiana Online Gambling Overview
| Type of Gambling (minimum age) | Legal Status | Notes |
| Online Casinos (n/a) | Illegal | La. R.S. 14:90.3 prohibits “gambling by computer” |
| Sweepstakes Casinos (n/a) | Illegal | Classified as illegal gambling by LGCB, Attorney General, and State Police |
| Online Poker (n/a) | Illegal | Illegal under Louisiana’s general online gambling prohibition |
| Online Sports Betting (21+) | Legal/Regulated | Authorized under La. R.S. 27:601 et seq |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (21+) | Legal/Regulated | Authorized under La. R.S. 27:301 et seq |
| Fantasy Pick’em Contests (n/a) | Illegal | LGCB does not issue licenses to pick’em operators |
| Online Lottery Sales (n/a) | Illegal | Retail sales only; couriers like Jackpocket unavailable |
| Online Horse Racing (18+) | Legal/Regulated | La. R.S. 4:149.5 permits “account wagering” |
Louisiana Online Casinos
Louisiana law explicitly prohibits online casinos and participating in online gambling.
Louisiana has some of the nation’s strictest anti-online gambling laws and was one of the first states to pass legislation in response to the emergence of offshore gambling sites in the late 90s.
In 1997, Louisiana enacted legislation to classify “gambling by computer” as a felony offense punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine for players. The law imposes even harsher penalties on operators: up to five years’ imprisonment “with or without hard labor” and a $20,000 fine.
Legalization Outlook
Lawmakers have shown little appetite for legalizing online casinos in Louisiana. The legislature has never seriously considered a legalization bill, let alone generated enough support for one to make significant progress.
However, the legislature has demonstrated that it’s not entirely closed to the idea. In 2024, lawmakers passed Senate Resolution 124 to study the potential social, budgetary, and economic impacts of legalizing online gambling in Louisiana.
A feasibility study is a tiny step in a long and uncertain process, so proponents should temper their expectations. Whether Louisiana will ever legalize online casinos remains an open question.
Louisiana Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos are illegal in Louisiana.
For several years, sweepstakes gambling sites operated in a legal gray area by offering casino-style games in Louisiana with “no purchase necessary” under federal sweepstakes laws.
That changed in June 2025, when the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB), the Attorney General’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police jointly issued more than 40 cease‑and‑desist orders to prominent operators.
Although state law does not explicitly ban sweepstakes casinos, all three agencies consider them to be illegal gambling.
Critically, those agencies have the means to enforce that stance. Even after Governor Landry vetoed a 2025 bill (SB 181) that would have explicitly banned sweepstakes casinos in Louisiana, the LGCB remains committed to enforcing its interpretation of existing law.
In a July 2025 interview with Gaming America, LGCB Chairman Christopher Hebert explained:
“The veto of Senate Bill 181 does not change the fact that these sweepstakes casino operations remain outside the scope of legal gaming in Louisiana. The Board, in coordination with the Louisiana State Police and the Attorney General’s Office, continues to take enforcement action under existing law.
“There are still tools available—both regulatory and criminal—to target operators that are illegally offering games of chance. We are also committed to working with lawmakers to explore future legislative options that close any remaining loopholes.”
Louisiana Online Poker
It is illegal to operate or patronize online poker sites in Louisiana.
The same “gambling by computer” statute that outlaws online casinos also applies to online poker. No carve‑out exists for peer‑to‑peer poker games, and Louisiana courts have consistently deemed poker a game of chance under state law.
If the legislature does eventually legalize online poker, it will likely occur as a part of a broader online gambling effort. Incremental legalization (a bill dedicated specifically to online poker) appears highly unlikely at this time.
Louisiana Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting is legal in 55 of 64 Louisiana parishes.
During the November 2020 election, Louisiana voters approved a referendum to legalize online sports betting. That vote authorized lawmakers to establish a legal framework (SB 247) and the LGCB to approve additional regulations as needed.
Now, all major online sportsbook brands are licensed and active in Louisiana. Some of the most prominent sports betting apps in Louisiana include:
See the complete list of licensed online sportsbooks in Louisiana here.
How Louisiana Regulates Online Sports Betting
Fans must be 21+ to create online sports betting accounts, complete identity verification, and place wagers from within eligible parishes. If a customer enters a non-approved parish, their sportsbook app’s geolocation technology will block wagering until the user returns to an authorized location.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) oversees all sports betting activities, issues licenses to operators, and ensures compliance with all responsible gambling and consumer protection regulations.
In 2025, lawmakers passed HB 639 to increase the tax on online sports betting revenue from 15% to 21.5%.
The nine parishes where online sports betting remains illegal are Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, LaSalle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll, and Winn. Residents of these parishes may still bet online when located in non-restricted parishes.
Key Rules and Restrictions
- Online sportsbooks may offer wagers on professional, collegiate, and Olympic sports events
- No licensed sportsbook may offer prop bets on individual college athletes (e.g.,” will player X score more than 20 points”)
- Bettors must be 21 or older. The LGCB routinely fines operators for underage account creation.
- All Louisiana sports betting apps must support responsible gambling: honor the statewide exclusion list and display responsible gambling tools (deposit limits, cool‑off periods, reality checks).
Louisiana Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports contests are legal and regulated in Louisiana.
In 2018, Louisiana voters in 47 parishes voted to legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports contests. The legislature then passed the Louisiana Fantasy Sports Contests Act (La. R.S. 27:301 et seq), which classifies DFS as a skill-based activity exempt from gambling prohibitions.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates fantasy sports contest operators, ensures compliance with all relevant laws, and adopts additional regulations as needed.
Key things players should know:
- Players must be 21+ to participate in DFS contests
- FanDuel and DraftKings are the only licensed DFS operators
- Players must be physically present in one of the 47 parishes that authorized DFS to participate in contests
Fantasy Pick’em Contests in Louisiana
Fantasy pick’em contests are de facto illegal in Louisiana.
That’s “de facto” because Louisiana law does not explicitly prohibit fantasy pick’em contests, and neither the Louisiana Gambling Control Board (LGCB) nor the Attorney General’s office has issued a formal statement on their legality.
Nonetheless, fantasy pick’em contests remain unavailable in Louisiana because the LGCB has never issued a license to an operator that offers those types of games.
Additionally, neither of the state’s two licensed DFS platforms (FanDuel and DraftKings) offers fantasy pick’em games.
Louisiana Online Lottery Sales
Louisiana law prohibits online lottery ticket sales.
The Louisiana Lottery Corporation only sells tickets in person at the state’s nearly 3,000 licensed retailers. Third-party lottery couriers like Jackpocket and TheLotter are also prohibited in Louisiana.
Players must be 21+ to buy lottery tickets in Louisiana.
Legalization Outlook
Currently, the legislature appears undecided on whether Louisiana should allow online lottery sales.
On one hand, lawmakers have considered multiple bills, including HB 228 (2025) and SB 157 (2023), that would have authorized the Louisiana Lottery to sell tickets to drawings and offer instant win games online.
On the other hand, the legislature fully passed SB 181 in 2025, which only failed due to Governor Landry’s veto. News reporting focused on the bill’s potential to ban sweepstakes casinos in Louisiana, but SB 181 also included language adding online lottery sales to the state’s definition of illegal “gambling by computer.”
More recently, Louisiana passed House Resolution 217, which orders a study on the feasibility of online lottery sales, the revenue potential, and the processes other states have used to implement online lotteries.
Louisiana Online Horse Racing
Online horse racing betting is legal and regulated in Louisiana.
Patrons must be 18 or older to open accounts with licensed advance deposit wagering platforms (ADWs) and place bets.
Louisiana’s most prominent ADWs include:
The Louisiana State Racing Commission (LRC) oversees all pari-mutuel wagering, including online racing betting.
The LRC issues ADW licenses to qualified operators, ensures that ADWs adhere to strict consumer protection, and monitors for compliance with mandatory financial security standards.
Louisiana Gambling Regulators
Louisiana takes a multi-agency approach to gambling regulation, with each government office responsible for distinct licensing, enforcement, and consumer protection duties.
- Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB): Regulates casino gambling, sports betting, DFS, and video poker. Sets licensing standards, audits revenues, and enforces compliance.
- Louisiana Racing Commission (LRC): Regulates horse racing, pari‑mutuel wagering, and ADWs.
- Louisiana Lottery Corporation (LLC): Manages all lottery products, retailer licensing, and responsible‑gambling campaigns related to lottery play.
- LA State Police Gaming Enforcement Division: Conducts background checks, criminal investigations, and on‑site inspections for licensed gambling venues.
- AG Gaming Division: Provides legal services to all state gaming regulatory bodies and handles criminal prosecutions related to gambling.
Problem Gambling Resources in Louisiana
Louisiana has numerous resources to help residents gamble responsibly and seek help when play becomes harmful.
State law requires the LGCB to maintain a unified self-exclusion program for all casinos and sportsbooks. Enrollment options range from one year to a lifetime.
The Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling (LACG) operates a 24/7 helpline (1‑877‑770‑7867), live‑chat counseling, and the Center of Recovery (CORE), a free inpatient treatment facility in Shreveport. Louisiana gambling licensees must fund LACG services through regulatory fees.
Self‑Exclusion Resources
- LGCB Self‑Exclusion Program: Individuals must apply in person at any State Police Gaming Enforcement office. Website instructions and request forms emphasize “casino gaming establishments,” but self-exclusion requests also cover online sports betting.
- Casino and Sportsbook App Self‑Exclusion: Integrated with the statewide list; customers can submit requests via in-app account settings.
Louisiana Responsible Gambling Organizations
- Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling (LACG): 1‑877‑770‑STOP (7867); live chat at helpforgambling.org.
- Louisiana Center of Recovery (CORE): Free residential treatment for residents; referrals via LACG.
- Department of Health Problem Gambling: Information, resources, and treatment providers.
- Gamblers Anonymous: Multiple weekly meetings in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport; see gamblersanonymous.org for schedules.
- National Council on Problem Gambling: Call 1‑800‑GAMBLER or text 800GAM; live chat at 1800gamblerchat.org.