Gambling at Louisiana casinos is as lavish as being in Vegas or any other popular gambling state. The pelican state has over 40 brick and mortar casinos. However, it is yet to legalise online gambling sites. The state has an extensive gambling history dating back to 1991.
When in Louisiana, players will find three types of casinos. There are riverboat casinos, Indian casinos as well as commercial land-based casinos. All the riverboat casinos are required to remain dockside and are open for 24 hours a day.
While Louisiana is popular for its food and culture, the state is also a liberal gambling state. New Orleans is the states gambling capital with more casinos than many US states combined. With that being said, the state is much tougher on online gambling.
Read our guide for more on gambling in the state. We take a look at the online gaming industry, gambling laws as well as the top 10 casinos in Louisiana.
The gambling laws in Louisiana permit a number of gaming options; however, it prohibits online gambling in its entity. Any operators running a casino, sports betting, or even poker site in the Pelican State will face felonies if convicted of the crime. The state also has harsh penalties for online gamblers. Players could face a $500 fine for gambling online. The state considers online gambling as a misdemeanour.
The gambling age in Louisiana is 18 for pari mutual netting, and players have to be 21 for casino gambling. Gambling in Louisiana is regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. The Indian gaming regulatory act regulates all the Indian casinos in the state. Here is a list of the gambling types that are permitted in the state
Land Based Gambling: Casinos and Video Poker Machines in selected parishes
Charitable Gaming: limited to bingo only
State Lottery
Social Gambling
Popular Games
Louisiana casinos offer a number of popular casino games. There is a variation of table games as well as slots that a player can choose from. Here is a list of some of the casino games that players will find at the casinos.
Blackjack
Roulette
Craps
Video poker’
Slots
Baccarat
Poker
Keno
Bingo
Horse Racing
Lottery
Types of Louisiana Online Gambling Permitted
The state does not permit web-based gambling at real money casino apart from off track betting. It is illegal to make a wager on games such as poker, slots, and blackjack within the state. Daily fantasy sports are also illegal in the state. However, in the 2018 Midterm election, 47 of 64 parishes in the stated where in favour of legalising daily fantasy sports. This could mean that daily fantasy sports may soon be a reality in the state.
Top Ten Casinos in Louisiana
We have compiled a list of the ten best Louisiana casinos with large gaming floors, great amenities, and fun entertainment.
Casinos
Games
Amenities
Address
Coushatta Casino
2800 Slots
65 Table Games
Live Bingo
Poker
Golf
Restaurants
Lodge
Entertainment Area
777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder, Louisiana
Paragon Casino Resort
2200 Slots
45 Table Games
8 Poker Tables
Restaurants
RV Park
Entertainment Area
NightLife
711 Paragon Pl, Marksville, LA
Amelia Belle Casino
825 Slots
15 Table Games
Restaurants
Hotel
Bar
500 Lake Palourde Rd, Amelia, LA
Margaritaville Resort Casino
Slots
50 Table Games
Restaurants
Entertainment Areas
Hotel
777 Margaritaville Way, Bossier City, LA
Harrah’s New Orleans Casino & Hotel
1500 Slots
Hotel
Restaurants
NightLife
Entertainment Area
228 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA
L’Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge
1400 Slots
50 Table Games
7 Poker tables
Poker Room
Hotel
Restaurants
Smoking Terrace with 120 Slots
777 L’Auberge Avenue
Baton Rouge
Louisiana
Delta Downs Casino
1600 Slots
Table Games
Restaurant s
Hotel
Enetertainment Area
Spa
Fitness Center
2717 Delta Downs Dr, Vinton, LA
Golden Nugget – Lake Charles
1650 Slots
84 Table Games
6 Poker Tables
Restaurants
Entertainment Areas
Hotel
Golf
Spa
Nightlife
2550 Golden Nugget Boulevard
Lake Charles, LA
Isle of Capri Casino
1100 Slots
30 Table Games
11 Poker Tables
Hotel
Restaurants
Entertainment area
Nightlife
100 Westlake Avenue
Westlake, LA
Boomtown Casino Hotel Bossier City
1000 Slots
16 Table Games
Entertainment area
Hotel
Restaurants
300 Riverside Drive
Bossier City
Apart from all the amazing casinos in the state, four race tracks are still operating in Louisiana.
Delta Downs – Vinton
Evangeline Downs – Opelousas
Fairgrounds Race Course – New Orleans
Louisiana Downs – Bossier City
Louisiana Gambling History
Horse racing was the first gambling option to be offered in Louisiana. In 1929 Horse racing was legalised and the first race track was the New Orleans fair Grounds.
Gambling Louisiana began in 1753 when the first state casino was opened. The state lottery began operating in the 1800s. However, it was shut down a few years later. In the 1990s, pari-mutuel betting was regulated, and race tracks could offer slot machines.
In 1991 the state adjusted gambling laws to [permit 15 riverboat casinos state wide. This made Louisiana the fourth state to allow riverboat casino gambling. A year later, the state added a provision that allowed for one brick and mortar casino to open in New Orleans.