Operators gear up for online sports betting launch in Louisiana
Pelican State to begin taking bets on January 28, with BetMGM, Caesars, and DraftKings all set for debut
Louisiana will begin taking mobile sports bets from 8am on Friday January 28, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) has confirmed.
The Pelican State has 20 licensed casinos, which includes 13 riverboats, one land-based resort in New Orleans, and four so-called ‘racino’ properties. A further two riverboat casinos have received licenses but are out of operation.
Under state ordinances, licensees are allowed two mobile betting platform skins each, as well as the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, which runs the state lottery.
However, it is understood that many licensed casinos have elected to use just one mobile betting platform skin each. Mobile bets can be taken in 55 of the 64 parishes which approved sports betting at an election held in November 2020.
Parishes where bets cannot be taken include Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, LaSalle, Sabine, Union, West Caroll, and Winn.
It had previously been suggested that the mobile sports betting launch would be delayed until February 13, to allow LGCB regulators the time to iron out issues arising from compliance with state ordinances and to allow geolocation technology to be put in place.
It is understood these issues have now been resolved, clearing the way for the launch. State retail sportsbooks have been legal since November 1 and operate under a separate regulatory and licensing process.
BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars, WynnBet, and DraftKings have entered the state in partnerships with retail operators and have been able to preregister customers but could not take bets.
Caesars Digital co-president Eric Hession welcomed the launch as an opportunity “we have been working towards for some time,” lauding the addition of mobile to the firm’s retail betting arsenal.
“We can’t wait to offer Louisianians more convenient access to Caesars Rewards through the Caesars Sportsbook app,” Hession added.
Caesars has a retail sports betting partnership with Louisiana State University as well as an exclusive 20-year agreement with the New Orleans Saints. The firm is also spending $350m to renovate the Harrah’s New Orleans casino.
Hey Louisiana, #CaesarsSportsbook mobile sports betting is officially coming on Friday! pic.twitter.com/0b6G7RTOQl
— Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) January 26, 2022
Hession’s comments regarding the impact on retail betting were echoed by DraftKings co-founder and president Matt Kalish, who hailed the launch, DraftKings 17th operational state, as “another significant milestone” for the sportsbook operator.
“Although Louisiana bettors have previously been able to place wagers in person at our Golden Nugget Casino Lake Charles location, the arrival of mobile betting greatly enhances accessibility and adoption potential within the Pelican State,” Kalish added.
Louisiana, we'll see you Friday morning ?
Download the app now: https://t.co/DXDgh5Bn1a pic.twitter.com/WLgXbde1YP
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) January 26, 2022
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt welcomed the news, saying he was proud to “be in the first wave of operators to launch mobile sports betting in Louisiana this Friday.”
“We thank both the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the Louisiana State Police and look forward to parlaying BetMGM’s success in neighboring regions into a long, successful, and responsible relationship with sports fans in the state,” he added.
Other operators expected to launch in Louisiana include Rush Street Interactive, Barstool Sports, and BetFred.