Louisiana Gambling: Key Regulations and Approved Gambling Options

Hello and welcome to Louisiana, the Bayou State! Here, the dazzling pulse of pure entertainment beats through our rich cultural heritage—one that has, for centuries, drawn tourists and thrill-seekers from far and wide. With less than five million residents, we’ve somehow managed to produce jazz, zydeco, and the Blues; to craft hundreds of recipes from gumbo to king cake; and to host some of the wildest, most intoxicating festivals known to humankind—all before, say, Tuesday of the average week. And we’re not losing a beat when it comes to gambling, either!

Gambling has a lengthy and illustrious past in Louisiana, making the state one of the first in the U.S. to sanction riverboat casinos. It has welcomed various forms of legal gambling—through commercial casinos, racetracks, and even tribal gaming—and seems almost hell-bent on giving its citizens and visitors every opportunity to feel the adrenaline rush associated with the act of placing a bet. Yet for the time being, the online gambling experience remains just that—a tantalizing prospect on which to gamble and win in Louisiana.

So let us now explore the gambling laws in Louisiana, closely examine the legal gambling choices that are present, and venture to speculate on the future of online gaming in the Pelican State.

The enthrallment with betting that the state holds is not hard to understand when you look at the rich history of Louisiana. The very first legal gambling in Louisiana goes back to the 19th century when wagering on horse races became the law of the land. From there, it was pretty much a straight shot to the gambling we have in the 21st century because, really, who can resist? I certainly can’t. Fast forward to a couple of decades ago, and Louisiana was one of the first states in the U.S. to allow riverboat casinos. And if you’re keeping nautical count, that’s by land and by water.

The gambling scene in Louisiana may have changed over the years, but it remains a tribute to the state’s passion for providing all sorts of amusements, particularly those involving a little friendly competition. Visitors to New Orleans and other parts of the state will find a rich array of legal gambling options—from land-based casinos to riverboats, tribal casinos, and poker rooms—and those in search of horse racing will not be disappointed. The state has plenty of tracks still offering a good number of pari-mutuel wagering opportunities.

Louisiana has a long history of gambling. When it comes to the forms of gambling that are legal, however, state law is pretty clear. This is good news for you if you’re exploring your options in the Bayou State. There’s no ambiguity and thus no wasted time; you can get right to the legal forms and know you won’t encounter any roadblocks (or, at least, shouldn’t).

Land Based Casinos

Louisiana is home to more than 15 casinos, most of them either on land or in riverboat form, in and around New Orleans and Baton Rouge. These establishments present the entire menu of table games, slots, and poker, though none more so than the Harrah’s Casino in the Big Easy, which is “almost” an Il-Can’t-Get-Any-More-Liberal-Right-As-You-Resort-To-Casinos sort of game. Poker is, once again, a featured attraction at Harrah’s, yet double your luck with a pit stop at the FanDuel Sportsbook and a head-to-head seminar on how not to take a “hit” at blackjack, then split up and enjoy the toss of the dice, win some, learn from your lesson, and groove your way through the corridors of a most exquisite resort-casino.

Moreover, Louisiana is home to a number of riverboat casinos, which operate under a distinct set of rules and regulations. Louisiana’s floating casinos have offered a unique gambling experience since the early 1990s. They take you out onto the water, almost as if you were on a cruise, but the real fun starts when you play table games, poker, or slots.

Tribal Casinos

Several tribal casinos call Louisiana home, and they deliver a more personal and local gaming experience. Coushatta Casino Resort is the closest to the title of “the largest” casino in Louisiana, and with good reason—it houses over 2,000 slot machines and various table games, including two that are a delight to any poker enthusiast who wanders through the plush, winding hallways of the resort.

Other tribal casinos, such as the L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles, provide a full array of gambling options, including live blackjack and roulette, as well as video poker. These establishments offer a great alternative for those who want to experience their games in a less frenetic, more laid-back environment than is typically found in New Orleans.

Sports Betting and Horse Racing

In 2021, Louisiana took the momentous step of legalizing sports betting. This opened the door for the state’s residents to wager on a plethora of professional pastimes, among them football, basketball, and even esports. As part of this expansion, Louisiana has also opened up the opportunity for online sports betting. Still, if you’re the kind of gambler who wants to keep it old school, some of the casinos in the state also have retail sportsbooks where you can place a bet in person.

Another favored gambling activity in Louisiana is horse racing. This pursuit has a number of active tracks throughout the state, including Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. This particular pari-mutuel track features quarter horse and thoroughbred racing. At the FairGrounds and other tracks, it’s possible to bet on the outcome of specific races and have a good time doing so, even if gambling on horse races isn’t exactly a southern tradition

Louisiana has made terrific headway on the path to legalizing all sorts of gaming. Yet, when it comes to the matter of virtual interactive gaming—such as iCasino games, online poker, or any other kind of virtual wagering—the Bayou State has been more than just a little behind the curve. Like a handful of other states, Louisiana has a law that specifically prohibits it. Still, the situation is expected to change, given how many people across the country are now participating in this form of gaming.

Here’s the encouraging part: the future of internet gambling in Louisiana has been getting a lot of attention from lawmakers recently. With the discussions, there has even been some optimistic chatter about possibly moving forward with regulated online poker and casino gaming in the near future. Right now, though, if you want to play poker or enjoy any kind of casino gaming on the internet (legally, anyway), you’ll have to head to one of the many states that have already moved forward with similar legislation.

With that in mind, if you are a sports betting enthusiast, Louisiana is at the forefront of the industry. Not only can you make your sports wagers online, but several state-sanctioned operators now offer mobile apps that allow for convenient, on-the-go betting. And while we are still a bit behind the curve with regard to online casino and poker games, sports betting in Louisiana has definitely laid the groundwork for future expansions into other types of online gaming.

Gambling can be an exciting pastime, but it’s crucial to ensure that it’s always done in a fun and safe manner. That said, even if one were to partake of the most luxurious and intoxicating of venues, say, a lavish casino on the banks of the Mississippi River, one would still need to remember to keep it all under control. That advice holds true for any gambling, be it done on riverboats, in state lotteries, or through online means.

To keep gambling fun and within your control, here are several recommendations to follow:

1. First, establish a budget. Prior to even engaging in a game of chance, whether at a table or a slot machine, determine the maximum amount you’ve allowed yourself to risk and ensure that you adhere to this monetary limit.
2. Pause for Thought: There’s no doubt that gambling can be thrilling, but it’s all too easy to get swept up in the excitement. You must get into the habit of taking breaks so that you can refresh your mind and avoid the unhealthy practice of chasing after lost bets.
3. The skilled gambler knows when to stop. If you’ve been on a winning streak, savor that moment—it probably won’t last forever—and then cash in, and go home. If you’ve been losing, it’s perfectly okay to stop, lick your wounds, and try again another day.
4. Ask for Assistance if Required: Louisiana, similar to many other states, offers resources for those who find themselves in the grip of gambling. If at any point you feel that what was once a fun pastime has turned into a life-altering obsession, then consider using one of the many confidential helplines or support organizations available to you in the state.

The Possibilities Abound Louisiana ranks among the most thrilling U.S. states for gambling. From enjoying a poker tournament while taking a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi to soaking in the vibrant energy of a casino floor, to betting on your favorite sports team, Louisiana guarantees an unrivaled experience.

The state’s position on internet gaming may be slightly restrained, but there is plenty of enthusiasm to be found in the state’s real-life gaming establishments. As discussions about virtual gaming progress, we remain hopeful that Louisiana will soon join the ranks of states offering legal and regulated online casino and poker gaming. Until that day arrives, however, residents and visitors can satisfy their gaming urges at a number of well-appointed and thoroughly enjoyable casinos and poker rooms located across the state. Have Fun!