Louisiana Casinos and Gambling

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.

Louisiana Gambling Laws

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.

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.