Louisiana will today (January 28) open its legal online sports betting market, with a number of operators having been cleared to launch.
Sports wagering was legalised in Louisiana in November 2020 following a parish-by-parish referendum, but the market’s launch was delayed to 2021 due to Louisiana only permitting the passing of a new tax in an odd-numbered year.
Legal retail betting began in October of last year, but the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) earlier this week confirmed that the online market would launch today.
Ahead of this, the LGCB issued approval for Penn National Gaming (PNG) to offer online and mobile sports betting in the state, with the operator’s Barstool Sportsbook brand set to launch on opening day.
“We are thrilled to be launching our Barstool Sportsbook online sports betting product in Louisiana, which will provide our retail casino customers and mychoice loyalty program members another exciting way to enjoy our unique entertainment offerings,” PNG president and chief executive Jay Snowden said.
“Louisiana marks the 12th state where we operate the Barstool Sportsbook mobile app, and as in the other states, I’m confident that customers will enjoy engaging with Dave Portnoy, Dan ‘Big Cat’ Katz and other Barstool fan favorites, and we’re offering a number of promotional wagers on the app to help celebrate the launch.”
A number of other operators are also set to roll out online sports betting on the first day of the state’s legal market. Caesars and DraftKings this week revealed they would build on their retail presence in Louisiana by launch online wagering from today.
Rush Street Interactive (RSI) has since confirmed it will also launch its BetRivers Sportsbook in the state on opening day.
“We are thrilled to welcome Louisiana and its avid sports fans to the growing RSI and BetRivers communities,” RSI chief executive Richard Schwartz said. “Sports betting is coming to Louisiana just in time for the NFL Conference Championships and Super Bowl, as well as in the heat of the college basketball season.
“We encourage fans in the Pelican State to join the fun now at BetRivers.”
Flutter Entertainment-owned FanDuel Group has also linked up with Boyd Gaming to launch online sports betting on opening day in Louisiana. This will follow the recent, joint roll-out of five retail betting locations across the state.
Five new FanDuel Sportsbook retail experiences are now open at Boyd’s Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Treasure Chest, Sam’s Town and Amelia properties.
BetMGM is also expected to go live imminently having received approval to offer mobile sports betting in the state, while WynnBet this week began pre-registration for players in Louisiana.
Meanwhile, affiliate business Gambling.com Group has been granted a waiver by the LGCB. The permit will allow the business to provide marketing services to licensed gaming operators in the state.
“Louisiana has a rich sporting history – both professionally and collegiately – and our dedicated team of journalists, analysts and handicappers will give Louisiana sports fans the best chance to succeed in what will be one of the more exciting sports betting markets in the country,” Gambling.com Group chief executive Charles Gillespie said.
