The US state of Louisiana is to launch its regulated mobile sports betting market tomorrow (January 28), with a number of licensed operators set to go live on opening day.
Sports wagering was legalized in Louisiana in November 2020 following a parish-by-parish referendum. However, the market’s launch was delayed until 2021 due to Louisiana only permitting the passing of a new tax in an odd-numbered year.
This meant the state had to wait to pass laws taxing the vertical, with regulations eventually signed into law in June, setting the launch in motion.
Legal retail betting began in October of last year when Betfred Sports rolled out in-person wagering in partnership with Paragon Casino Resort, while Caesars followed soon after, launching retail betting at its Harrah’s New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel & Casino properties.
Mobile wagering is now set to follow, with several operators expected to go live on opening day.
Caesars is one such operator and has confirmed it will roll out its Caesars Sportsbook mobile app for consumers in Louisiana. The app will allow players to place a range of bets on an array of sports, as well as access the Caesars Rewards program integrated with the app.
In October last year, Caesars made its mobile sportsbook available to download in Louisiana ahead of the state officially opening its regulated mobile sports betting market.
“Caesars Sportsbook is ready for mobile sports betting’s debut in Louisiana on Friday,” Caesars Digital co-president Eric Hession said. “This is an opportunity we’ve been working toward for a long time.
“We have a proud history of operating in Louisiana with our properties Harrah’s New Orleans, Horseshoe Bossier City, and the soon to re-open Horseshoe Lake Charles. We can’t wait to offer Louisianans more convenient access to Caesars Rewards through the Caesars Sportsbook app.
“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. Come Friday, through the app, we’ll be able to offer even more opportunities to experience the thrill of sports wagering.”
DraftKings also confirmed it would launch in the state from tomorrow, alongside Golden Nugget Casino Lake Charles. DraftKings rolled out sports betting in Louisiana in November last year.
“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,” DraftKings’ co-founder and president of North America, Matt Kalish, said.
“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.”
BetMGM is also expected to go live in opening day having received approval to offer mobile sports betting in the state, while WynnBet this week began pre-registration for players in Louisiana.