Louisiana on Friday morning becomes the second state to go live with digital sports betting since the calendar turned to 2022, just 28 days ago.
It appears that seven operators will go live with digital platforms. The earliest the platforms can launch is 8 a.m. local time. It’s no surprise that every one of those is a well-known national operator, and that three of the platforms belong to the operators with the biggest presence in the state: Boyd Gaming (FanDuel), Caesars, and Penn National Gaming (Barstool Sportsbook).
With the launch, Louisiana becomes something of a first mover in the South, as well as the immediate region. None of Louisiana’s neighbors currently offers statewide mobile wagering. The closest availability to bet on a phone similarly is about a seven-hour drive away in Tennessee.
Retail wagering has been live in Louisiana since Oct. 31 on the commercial side and since Oct. 5 at the tribal Paragon Casino in Marksville. The Paragon Casino is partnered with Betfred, but it’s not clear when the company will launch its digital platform.
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So far, the LGCB has issued 13 retail licenses. According to the Lafayette Advertiser, the Louisiana Lottery, which will regulate wagering kiosks at its vendors such as restaurants and bars, issued a request for proposal with a Feb. 15 deadline, and some kiosks could be available by March.
When all is said and done, Louisiana could have up to 41 online/mobile options. Each of the state’s 20 brick-and-mortar gaming locations, which include casinos and horse racetracks, are entitled to two skins, or platforms, and the Louisiana Lottery will eventually have its own site.
The digital launch has been highly anticipated, and operators are offering plenty of incentives for bettors to pick their platform. Below is a look at what’s available.
BetMGM
Retail location/partners: BetMGM gained market access through a deal with Boyd Gaming, which has five retail locations across Louisiana, including two racetracks, Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs. The platform will be tied to the Sam’s Town Casino, but a BetMGM spokesperson said the company has no plans for a retail book.
Specials/Promos: BetMGM is offering $200 in free bets to new customers in Louisiana, as well as a $1,000 risk-free first bet.
What they’re saying about Louisiana: “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.”
BetRivers
Retail location/partners: Rush Street Interactive gained market access through a deal with online casino supplier and technology provider Boom Entertainment, though it is unclear what retail venue it is tethered to.
Specials/Promos: BetRivers is offering a $250 first deposit match bonus to all new customers.
What they’re saying about Louisiana: “We are thrilled to welcome Louisiana and its avid sports fans to the growing RSI and BetRivers communities,” Richard Schwartz, chief executive officer of Rush Street Interactive, said via press release. “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.”
Caesars
Retail locations/partners: Caesars has a noteworthy retail presence in Louisiana by owning four casinos within the state. Harrah’s Casino New Orleans, a Caesars location, is the official casino partner of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans.
Specials/Promos: Caesars is offering new customers the opportunity to bet “exactly” $20 and, win or lose, get a total of $300 in free bets in the form of six $50 free bets.
What they’re saying about Louisiana: “This is an opportunity we’ve been working toward for a long time. We have a proud history of operating in Louisiana. … We can’t wait to offer Louisianans more convenient access to Caesars Rewards through the Caesars Sportsbook app,” said Eric Hession, co-president of Caesars Digital, in a statement. “We’re confident that the Caesars Sportsbook app will offer Louisianans the most competitive odds and the very best in rewards, with every wager earning Caesars Rewards. We’ve seen tremendous interest in legal sports betting since the opening of our Caesars Sportsbooks at Harrah’s New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City.”
DraftKings
Retail locations/Partners: DraftKings, one of the leading national operators, has a retail presence at a pair of Louisiana casinos. DraftKings is partnered with Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, near the Texas border. The retail wagering is available in the Blue Martini Bar at teller windows and by kiosk in the Rush Lounge and Poker Room.
Specials/Promos: Currently, DraftKings offers new users $100 in free bets once they sign up.
What they’re saying about Louisiana: “There have been several DraftKings developments in Louisiana in the last year alone, including the debut of our daily fantasy products and retail sportsbook, and this latest online sportsbook launch is another significant milestone,” said Matt Kalish, co-founder and president of DraftKings North America, in a press release. “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.”
FanDuel
Retail location/partners: FanDuel is partnered with Boyd Gaming, which has five retail locations across Louisiana, including two racetracks, Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs. The platform will be tied to the Treasure Chest Casino.
Specials/Promos: FanDuel will offer multiple deals, including a “risk-free” $1,000 first bet, 30/1 playoff-enhanced odds, and $100 to refer a friend (both the existing player and new player get a $100 account credit).
What they’re saying about Louisiana: “FanDuel Sportsbook is bringing its best-in-class online sports betting experience to the passionate sports fans of Louisiana, who will now be able to place wagers in 55 parishes across the state on professional and college football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, MMA, boxing, soccer, and tennis with a variety of betting and payment options available,” the company said in a press release.
WynnBet
Retail location/partners: Horseshoe Bossier City Casino & Hotel
Specials/Promos: Bet $10, Win $250: Upon pre-registration, patrons will receive $250 in free bets irrespective of their first $10 bet result.
What they’re saying about Louisiana: “WynnBET’s launch in Louisiana is just the beginning of an exciting few months for our company as we significantly increase our footprint during the first quarter of 2022,” Wynn Interactive President Ian Williams said via press release.
Barstool
Retail location/partners: Part of Penn National, which has five retail locations in Louisiana, including one in suburban New Orleans.
Specials/Promos: Barstool Sportsbook is offering new players the chance to bet $20 to win $100 if Joe Burrow throws for a single yard in Sunday’s NFC championship game.
What they’re saying about Louisiana: “We’re so excited to get up and running in Louisiana,” a Penn National Gaming spokesman told Sports Handle. “You couldn’t ask for a better weekend with hometown hero Joe Burrow taking his teams to its first NFL Conference Championship in decades.”
