On Wednesday morning, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board announced that it would launch mobile sports betting operators beginning at 8 a.m. local time on Friday.
The three-line press release does not indicate how many platforms would start, though sources put the number at about six. Including the Louisiana Lottery platform, the state could ultimately have as many as 41 digital options. It seems likely that Caesars, BetMGM, and WynnBet, all of which made announcements about the launch, will be in the initial group.
Top Louisiana Sportsbook Pre-Launch Offers
BetMGM Sportsbook
- Promo Code: HANDLE
- Up to $1,000 in Back if Your First Bet Doesn't Win
- Offer Paid in Bonus Bets
- 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
FanDuel Sportsbook- No Promo Code Required
- Tons of Props on 16+ Sports
- 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
PointsBet Sportsbook- No Promo Code Required
- $1,000 in 2nd Chance Bonus Bets
- 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
WynnBET Sportsbook- Promo Code: XHANDLEMAX
- $100 Awarded in Bonus Bets
- 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
BetRivers Sportsbook- Strong promotional schedule
- Unmatched Loyalty Program
- 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
“We’re proud that BetMGM will be in the first wave of operators to launch mobile sports betting in Louisiana this Friday,” BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said in a statement. “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.”
WynnBet announced a “Bet $10, Get $250” special Tuesday, and Wynn Interactive President Ian Williams called the pending launch “the beginning of an exciting few months for our company as we significantly increase our footprint during the first quarter of 2022.”
Three operators have big presence
While Boyd Gaming and Penn National Gaming did not make any announcements Wednesday surrounding Louisiana, the two have a total of 10 retail locations in Louisiana, which will translate into 20 of the 41 available skins. Caesars, which owns four properties in Louisiana, said it in a statement that it is “ready for mobile sports betting’s debut in Louisiana on Friday. This is an opportunity we’ve been working toward for a long time.”
Hence, it would seem to make sense that all three would be in the initial launch group. Boyd Gaming partners with FanDuel on the digital side, while Penn National has Barstool Sportsbook as its mobile platform.
Once up and running, Louisiana should be among the more open, competitive marketplaces, and there are enough skins available for every major operator to find a way in. The new law allows for wagering on all college sports teams, in addition to professional and amateur sports; sets what operators would consider a “reasonable” 15% tax on mobile gross gaming revenue; and does not require the use of official league data.
The launch timing will allow sportsbooks to get their feet wet and work out kinks a few days ahead of the NFL conference championships and two weeks before the Super Bowl.
