The majority of parishes in Louisiana allow online betting after the activity was approved in 2020. Today, several sportsbooks operate in the Pelican State, and this page highlights the top options available to you.
We tested multiple Louisiana sportsbooks to determine which ones deliver the best overall experience. Five platforms clearly stood out: Fanatics, bet365, Caesars, DraftKings, and BetMGM. These are well known national brands, and each one is regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB), which ensures a safe and compliant betting environment.
As you continue reading, you will learn what we discovered during our hands-on reviews of each sportsbook. We also cover the most popular sports to bet on in Louisiana and provide additional details to help you choose the right platform for your preferences.
Quick facts about LA online sportsbooks
- 55 Louisiana parishes legalized sports betting in 2020.
- Sports betting is still unavailable in nine parishes.
- LA bettors must be at least 21 to wager online.
Legal status of Louisiana sportsbooks
To be upfront, sportsbooks are legal in Louisiana, but not in all parishes. Based on our research, voters in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes approved sports wagering in November 2020. However, nine parishes opted out, including:
- Caldwell
- Catahoula
- Franklin
- Jackson
- LaSalle
- Sabine
- Union
- West Carroll
- Winn
If you reside in any of the above locations in the Pelican State, you can’t bet on sports online. We recognize this as a downside, but the situation in Louisiana is still more favorable than in some other US states. For instance, Texas sportsbooks are not legal in any part of the Lone Star State.
In Louisiana, sportsbooks are regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB). The minimum age to bet is 21 years old, which is higher than the 18+ in some other places.
Ranking the best 5 betting sites in Louisiana
Now that you understand how LA’s online betting market operates, let’s look at the best sportsbooks to join. Below are the top five picks from our analysis:
1. Fanatics – Best for lossback welcome bonus
- NFL live game streaming
- Quick deposit and withdrawals
- Personalized promotions tab
- Strong brand credibility
- Mobile-only, no desktop version
Fanatics gives new Louisiana bettors up to $2,000 in FanCash if initial bets lose. This promo covers your first 10 days, offering up to $200 in FanCash each day. We triggered it with just a $1 minimum wager on odds of -500 or longer.
Fanatics offers up to 10% FanCash back on wagers depending on the odds, markets, and stake. Your FanCash can convert into bonus bets with minimal friction. Keep in mind Fanatics is mobile-only — downloads are available for both iOS and Android.
2. bet365 – Best for profit boosts
- Flexible deposit and withdrawal methods
- Reliable early cash-out function
- Strict KYC adds extra account security
- Live streaming across global leagues
- Streaming is restricted for the U.S. major leagues.
We confirmed in our review that bet365 is among the best Louisiana sportsbooks for consistent odds boosts. We found a 30% SGP boost for NCAAF and up to a 100% parlay boost on other sports. Switching to the “Bet Boost” tab makes these deals easy to find.
Other common promos include early payout, Prop Protect, and two choices for new users:
- First bet safety net up to $1,000 in bonus bets
- Bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets (win or lose)
3. Caesars – Best for loyalty benefits
- First bet safety net offer
- Dedicated mobile app
- User-friendly platform
- Live chat and phone support
- Not available in all states
Caesars stands out in Louisiana for its elite Caesars Rewards program. You earn Reward Credits as you bet, which convert to bonus cash at a competitive rate of 100 RC per $1.
Straight bets gave us up to 10 RC per $100 staked, and parlays gave us up to 20 RC. Before this, Caesars offers a welcome promo: bet $1 and receive double winnings boosts on your next 20 wagers (max $25 per boosted bet).
4. DraftKings – Best for betting statistics
- Sports welcome offer
- Diverse range of betting markets
- Separate sportsbook and DFS page
- No phone customer support
- No live chat
DraftKings features a full Stats Hub with game, team, and player insights across every major US league. It’s extremely useful for Louisiana bettors making data-driven picks.
DraftKings displays moneylines, spreads, totals, props, and more in the Stats Hub. This feature is also available in other legal states such as Maryland sportsbooks. Louisiana bettors can also claim $300 in bonus bets if their first $5+ wager wins.
5. BetMGM – Best for sports coverage
- Mobile app available for Android and Apple devices
- Available in 21 states
- Comprehensive sports coverage
- Not available to all US bettors
BetMGM covers 20+ sports in Louisiana, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis, and niche sports such as snooker and lacrosse.
BetMGM works on both web and mobile, but the app delivers a smoother user experience. Louisiana newcomers get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if their first wager loses.
Top 3 sports for betting in LA
Regardless of which Louisiana sportsbook you choose, these sports rank highest in popularity:
🏈 Football
Football dominates betting in LA — especially the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. College football is just as big thanks to LSU and SEC competition.
🏀 Basketball
Basketball betting is strong in LA due to the New Orleans Pelicans. This mirrors interest in states like Georgia, though Georgia sportsbooks are still not legal. NBA regular season, playoffs, and March Madness drive heavy betting volume.
⚾ Baseball
Louisiana lacks an MLB franchise but has strong college baseball support via LSU and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
Important bet types at Louisiana sportsbooks
| Market | Description |
| Moneyline | Wager on which team will win the game outright |
| Point spread | Bet on the margin of victory or defeat, and the favorite must cover the spread for your bet to win |
| Totals (over/under) | Predict whether the combined score will go above or below a set number |
| Player props | Bet on individual player performances, such as passing yards, rebounds, or goals |
| Parlays | Combine multiple bets into one slip for higher potential payouts |
| Same-game parlays (SGPs) | Mix various picks from the same game into one bet |
| Futures | Make long-term bets on events like the Super Bowl, March Madness, or player awards |
Remember: online betting is only permitted in the 55 parishes that approved sports wagering. If you’re in an excluded parish, you may consider sweepstakes-style platforms, but many exclude LA. For example, in our The Money Factory review, Louisiana is listed among prohibited states.
Upsides and downsides of Louisiana’s sports betting market
- Legal sports betting in 55 parishes
- Regulated by the LGCB
- Top national sportsbook brands
- Unavailable in nine parishes
Conclusion – Join a legal sportsbook in the Pelican State
Louisiana offers a well-structured and regulated sports betting market. You can place wagers on the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB in the 55 parishes with legal access. While the nine excluded parishes are a drawback, the market remains strong.
Choose from our top five LA sportsbooks — each tested and fully licensed. Tap the on-page banners to visit your preferred platform, register, and claim your welcome offer.
Try these top betting bonuses
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
New Customers: Bet $5+ and get $300 in Bonus Bets if it wins!
Louisiana sportsbooks FAQs
What betting sites are legal in Louisiana?
Several betting sites are legal in Louisiana, including Fanatics, bet365, Caesars, DraftKings, and BetMGM. You can join any of them if you’re in one of the 55 approved parishes.
Does the DraftKings Sportsbook work in Louisiana?
Yes. DraftKings is fully legal and regulated by the LGCB, with online and retail operations statewide.
Is Fanatics Sportsbook legal in Louisiana?
Yes. Fanatics operates legally as a mobile-only sportsbook for LA players.
Can I gamble online in Louisiana?
You can bet on sports online in Louisiana but only in the 55 approved parishes — casino gambling remains illegal.
When did Louisiana legalize sports betting?
Louisiana legalized sports betting in 2020 via parish-by-parish approval. Nine parishes still prohibit online wagering.
