• It is common for online commentators to proclaim that online gambling is illegal in Louisiana, but these folks generally don’t look at the laws that carefully.
• The state of Louisiana has one of the only state laws that makes online gambling illegal. Louisiana’s gambling law applies to players, but it’s mainly focused on preventing unregulated operators from accepting bets from Louisiana residents. Best Louisiana Gambling Sites.
• Louisiana Online Casinos. Gambling in Louisiana has a long history, going all the way back before this was a US state. In a southern American region represented by religious, conservative and biased against gambling, states, the laws on wagering here come as a breath of fresh air.

If you are asking 'will I go to jail for online gambling in the state of Louisiana,' the answer is potentially yes. You can face up to six months imprisonment if you decide to gamble online in the state of Louisiana. We do not encourage breaking the law to gamble online.

Gambling in Louisiana has a long history, going all the way back before this was a US state. In a southern American region represented by religious, conservative and biased against gambling, states, the laws on wagering here come as a breath of fresh air. All gambling enthusiasts from more than a couple of states around consider them to be the best gambling laws in the region. However, the new trend of creating a state-based legal online casino in the USA hasn’t caught on yet. Actually, it’s one of the few states whose legislation explicitly says no to online gambling.

Best Louisiana Online Casino Sites

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Louisiana Gambling Laws

The first known gambling establishment goes way back from the mid-1700s. The history of wagering in these lands has gone through plenty of ups and downs, experiencing almost every aspect related to the phenomenon. Louisiana gambling laws went from permissive to interdicting and then liberal back again.

To the question is gambling legal in New Orleans, players from different periods might have responded in different ways. 1812 found all gambling around state forbidden, except in New Orleans. 1895 came with a ban for the famous town as well. Although the official re-legalization of casinos happened only in 1986, this whole period was under the sign of illicit gambling, New Orleans is infamous for this.
Truth be told, gambling in Louisiana casinos has often been associated with an underworld of crime, many scandals issuing around this subject, not only in the age of high criminality in the state but also in the more modern times. For instance, in 1995 a whole scandal erupted around a crime syndicate organizing illicit video poker tournaments. The year 2000 came with the imprisonment of a former governor which extorted large sums of money from companies trying to get licensed in the state’s gambling market.

In this context, the regulations became strict, trying to avert all the crime-related issues. Subsequently, this affected other aspects of this domain. For example, this is one of the few states where players who gamble online are specifically said to break the law.
However, the current field of betting is widely represented, any player having the possibility to enjoy slot games, horse racing wagering, table games betting, lotto tickets, raffles, and bingo.

Online Gambling

Louisiana casino laws have the renown of being some of the most liberal in the region. The LA state is one of the go-to places for residents in surrounding states, which are not that keen on allowing their population to try their luck in wagering games. Also, the gambling laws are some of the strictest when it comes to breaking these rules. A hefty fine and the possibility of up to six months jail time at the first misdemeanour and already a felony the second time around.

Another aspect of these strict laws is that, unlike most US states, Louisiana explicitly forbids online gambling. Online poker in Louisiana is not an option by any means. The phrase “computer gambling” appears in the law’s text, closing the door even on the renowned gray area where off-shore based betting sites usually made their entry.

On the other hand, Louisiana has always been a hub for activities at the edge of legality. Fact is that the state’s authorities haven’t got the means to pursue, verify, and collect evidence on the activity of gambling from the comfort of each citizen’s home. So, although in Louisiana, online casinos are strictly forbidden, there is no possibility for law representatives to know if anyone is actually playing on these websites. For this matter, there are many such online operators which accept Louisiana players.

Given all these subjects discussed before, if a Louisiana player is willing to place bets on a website based off-shore websites which you can find at Real Time Gaming casino list we prepared, extra measures of security must be taken. Only go on those websites you have absolute confidence in. The greatest way to find such an online casino, with the minimum amount of risk taken, is by checking the list of reviewed sites, where professionals verify in every detail, all aspects of the online casino’s security, licensing, terms of withdrawal, equity in gameplay and so on. Bovada Casino is a nice example. Bovada is legal in Louisiana and we’ve already reviewed this website.

Offline Options

Land-based Casinos

When it comes to playing in a casino in LA, all versions of brick-and-mortar venues are available:

• commercial casinos
• riverboats
• tribal casinos
• racinos

Historically, the hub for gambling was the thriving city of New Orleans. This is the centre of the state’s tourist attractions. The Mardi Gras festival is an occasion for people around the world to gather and chase all sort of entertainment, from the more mystic side to the simple party all-night-long type, going through a sensual or artistic aspect. In all this, gambling fits in like a glove. The only mandatory rule in a place that seems to have none is respecting the gambling age in New Orleans.

Another historical vestige, which offers time travel through different eras beyond their main functionality of gambling haven, is the riverboats. Sure, they have been recently allowed to function on land as well, seeing how they were long-time harboured. But some, such as the ones in Shreveport or Lake Charles, although with large properties surrounding them, still capitalize on their link with the romantic age of true riverboat gambling. After all, many tourists come here, especially for this type of experience.

Lottery

Even the lottery has had a troubling rollercoaster-like ride, like all the other Louisianna gambling aspects. It has been set up in the mid-1800s, closed on corruption allegations and moved to Honduras in 1893, where it continued to sell tickets to US citizens. It came back stateside at the beginning of the 1990s, as instant scratch tickets and also lotto draws. Afterwards, Louisiana joined the Powerball, and now it has become one of the biggest contributors to the state’s budget. For example, more than 2 billion USD went in a fund for repairing Katrina’s damage.

Racetracks

Of all the gambling places in Louisiana, there’s no way that anyone can miss the racetracks. The greyhound races are forbidden in LA, but the horse races are among the most famous in the whole country. Take Evangeline Downs, for example, the race with the highest number of horses in a race, in the whole country. Or the Fair Grounds course which is a known precursor preparation race for the Kentucky Derby. If the thrill of participating live isn’t possible, there are some off-track betting parlours spread across the state.

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Is gambling legal in Louisiana?

Yes, fortunately for state’s residents, as well as those many are coming from neighbouring states to gamble in Louisiana. Of course that a great piece of this success is due to Louisiana gambling laws, which have allowed for a wide variety of options in this area, within state borders: casinos, racetracks, lottery, charitable gaming, to name a few.

Are there casinos in Louisiana?

Louisiana holds a complete array of casino versions, with numerous commercial and also tribal casinos. The salt and pepper, however, the gambling New Orleans casinos, former riverboats, still hold the atmosphere of the romantic age they were at their peak. Long story short, for any casino enthusiast, there is a perfect choice, the only limit is about respecting the Louisiana gambling age. On the subject of online casinos, there is not that much to be said, except the laws are clear in this matter and ban it.

What is the legal gambling age in Louisiana?

The gambling age in Louisiana depends on the type of games that are to be played: bingo, lotto tickets and horse race betting are allowed since 18 years old, while setting foot in a casino of any sort can be done after the threshold of 21 years.

Is online gambling Louisiana legal?

This is one of the states that has made it perfectly clear that any sort of gambling made using a computer, online wagering is the definition of that, is banned. This means that online slots for real money is not a valid option unless the player takes the risk upon himself. There are operators who offer for residents in Louisiana online casino where games can be played. They consider that the state has no necessary means to control, in order to inflict punishment, every household in the state. Up to now, no arrest has been made for using online casinos, and it hardly seems likely that any will be made.
However, it should be stated again that playing on these websites implies taking a risk. A way to diminish the risks taken would be to join only trustworthy sites. Check the reviews other previous players give, repetitive foul play always tends to show itself. Also, verify the online casino you’re willing to play, on the lists of reviewed websites, to find an unbiased opinion about some of its most important aspects.

Any future developments in this area?

There aren’t any new casinos in Louisiana anytime soon, but the end of 2018 brought some new regulations in this field. These latest modifications are allowing an increase in the numbers of slot machines supplied by the actual casinos. Surely, each must put out a request to the gaming authority and await confirmation, but it is progress nevertheless.
Also, another piece of interesting information: since 2018, the riverboats have been allowed to move onshore, thus creating the prospects for the larger casino resort, with more gaming space and options. Also, some expectations on legalizing sports betting are rumored, but nothing concrete just yet. The online part of the phenomenon is still left in the dark with the same explicit ban hanging overhead and not a chance of coming into the spotlight in the immediate future.

Can You Play Online Poker in Louisiana?

There is currently no legislation permitting online poker in the state.

Current Louisiana Gambling Laws

Louisiana has allowed for casinos for decades. The Bayou State houses more than a dozen of casinos with the majority of them operating as riverboats. Other casinos are run by Native Americans, land-based operators, and racinos.

Despite what was previously a strict stance by Louisiana against online gaming, discussions concerning iGaming regulation began in 2014 when the state kicked off the year by considering an online gambling bill. The presentation was a result of State Rep. Mike Huval's March 2013 request for a House Concurrent Resolution to study iGaming implications in the state.

Later in 2018, a bill was introduced by Senator Danny Martiny, who sited a concern for the state's finances for both this bill and another regarding sports wagering. The proposal was opposed primarily by the Louisiana Video Gaming Association and never got off the ground that year after the committee agreed that more work needed to be done for it to pass both a voter referendum and pass through the state's legislative bodies.

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Louisiana

In March 2019, Louisiana introduced a sports wagering bill that if both passed would allow sports wagering to take place in 2020. The bill would have explicitly prohibited online and mobile wagering outside of licensed facilities. However, the bill failed to pass by the end of the legislative session.

Although there are many hurdles to cross for online gaming and sports wagering appears to be a more immediate priority, it is possible due to the state's financial concerns that the battle for online gaming could become more heated in the coming years.

Is Online Gambling Illegal In Louisiana

Best Online Poker Sites for Louisiana Players

None at present. But you can always play poker for free with the WSOP Social App.