Louisiana Online Casinos & Legal LA Gambling Guide (2025)

Real-money online casinos are not legal in Louisiana as of 2025. However, Louisiana residents can legally access social and sweepstakes casinos that operate under different legal frameworks, offering casino-style games without direct real-money wagering.

Quick Facts:

While awaiting potential real-money online casino legislation, Louisiana residents can legally play at sweepstakes casinos that offer casino-style entertainment through a dual-currency model:

RealPrize

• 300+ premium slot games from industry leaders
• Welcome bonus: 100,000 Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins
• No purchase necessary daily login rewards
• Instant play on all devices

RealPrize casino focuses on quality over quantity, curating a selection of top-performing slots from providers like NetEnt and Microgaming with proven player appeal. The platform's streamlined interface and fast-loading games make it ideal for casual players, while their no-deposit daily bonus ensures everyone can play regardless of budget.

McLuck Casino

• Over 900 games including slots and live dealer options
• Welcome bonus: 7,500 Gold Coins + 5 Sweeps Coins
• Loyalty program with daily rewards
• Mobile app available

McLuck casino stands out for its extensive live dealer selection, offering real-time blackjack, roulette, and baccarat games streamed from professional studios. The platform processes redemptions within 48-72 hours and maintains top notch customer service.

Pulsz Casino

• 1,000+ games with social features
• Welcome bonus: 5,000 Gold Coins + 2.3 Sweeps Coins
• Daily promotions and tournaments
• 500K+ active community

Pulsz casino distinguishes itself through tournament formats that allow players to compete on leaderboards for substantial prize pools. The platform's mobile optimization ensures seamless gameplay across all devices, making it particularly popular among Louisiana players who prefer to use a mobile app.

High 5 Casino

• 800+ exclusive slot titles
• Superior mobile app experience
• Daily bonus spins
• VIP program available

High 5 Casino develops many of its games in-house, offering unique titles you won't find elsewhere like Hoot Loot and Jaguar Princess. The VIP program provides dedicated account managers and exclusive bonuses for high-volume players.

These platforms operate legally under sweepstakes laws, using virtual currencies that can be redeemed for prizes. Governor Jeff Landry's June 2025 veto of Senate Bill 181 preserved their legal status despite opposition from traditional gambling interests.

New Orleans Area Casinos

• Caesars New Orleans: The state's original land-based casino features 151,400 square feet of gaming with 1,100+ slots, 110+ table games, and Louisiana's only 100% smoke-free indoor casino environment. The recently renovated property includes a 5,700 square foot Caesars Sportsbook, the new Nobu Hotel, and 13 restaurants spanning the 790-room complex.
• Treasure Chest Casino (Kenner): Boyd Gaming's property completed its $100 million transition from riverboat to land-based operations in June 2024, featuring a 47,000 square foot gaming floor on Lake Pontchartrain's shores. The casino offers 36+ table games and extensive slot selections with Caribbean-themed entertainment.
• Boomtown Casino New Orleans (Harvey): This Penn Entertainment property combines Old West and riverboat themes across 30,000 square feet with 1,500+ slots and 30 table games. The 54-acre complex includes a 150-room hotel and four dining venues including the popular Bayou Market Buffet.

Lake Charles Gaming Region

• Golden Nugget Lake Charles: Tilman Fertitta's Landry's Inc. operates this $600+ million resort featuring 1,600 slots, 75+ table games, and Louisiana's largest DraftKings Sportsbook. The property boasts 1,000+ luxury rooms in a 25-story tower, an 18-hole championship golf course, and a 2-acre tropical pool complex with a lazy river.
• L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles: This Penn National Gaming property attracts 400,000+ visitors monthly with nearly 1,000 rooms and comprehensive gaming offerings. The resort employs 2,400+ workers and features the MyChoice players club network with golf, spa, and pool amenities.

Tribal Gaming Facilities

Louisiana's five tribal casinos operate under federal compacts:

• Coushatta Casino Resort (Kinder) The largest gaming floor in Southwest Louisiana at 100,000+ square feet features 2,800+ slots, 70+ tables, and a 1,200-seat bingo hall. A new $150 million luxury hotel tower with 204 rooms opens in 2025, adding to the existing Grand Hotel and championship golf course.
• Paragon Casino Resort (Marksville) The Tunica-Biloxi tribe's property launched Louisiana's first legal sports betting operation in October 2021. Managed in partnership with Mohegan Gaming, the resort offers 1,000+ slots, full table games, and comprehensive resort amenities.

Below are some other popular gambling options you will find in the state

Louisiana Lottery

The Louisiana Lottery offers Powerball, Mega Millions, and state-specific games through 2,900+ retailers statewide. Players must be 21 to purchase tickets, and online sales remain prohibited. The lottery contributes significant funding to state education programs, similar to other states.

Video poker machines

Louisiana's video poker network spans 1,800 establishments with over 13,000 machines, generating more revenue than many full casinos. Truck stops can host up to 50 machines based on fuel sales, while bars and restaurants with liquor licenses may operate up to three machines. 

Horse racing and pari-mutuel betting

Four racetracks offer live racing and simulcast wagering:

• Fair Grounds (New Orleans): America's third-oldest track with thoroughbred and quarter horse meets
• Louisiana Downs (Bossier City): Operates May through September for thoroughbreds
• Evangeline Downs (Opelousas): Features both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing
• Delta Downs (Vinton): Year-round racing with alternating breed schedules

Online horse betting is available through TwinSpires, BetMGM Racebook, and FanDuel Racebook if you are over the age of 18.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board serves as the primary regulatory authority for all non-tribal gambling activities in the state.

Contact Information

• Address: 7901 Independence Blvd, Building A, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
• Phone: (225) 925-1846 or 1-888-295-8450
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: lgcb.dps.louisiana.gov

Responsibilities

The nine-member board oversees licensing, regulation, and enforcement for:

• Land-based and riverboat casinos
• Sports wagering operations
• Fantasy sports contests
• Video poker terminals
• Problem gambling programs

The board partners with Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division for investigations and compliance monitoring while maintaining self-exclusion programs and responsible gambling initiatives.

Louisiana implemented a flat 3% income tax rate effective January 2025, simplifying gambling tax calculations for residents.

State Tax Withholding Requirements

• Sports betting: 3% on winnings over $600
• Slot machines: 3% on winnings over $1,200
• Other gambling: 3% when federal withholding applies

Federal tax obligations

The IRS requires reporting on Form W-2G for:

• Winnings of $600+ that are 300 times the wager
• Slot/bingo winnings of $1,200+
• Keno winnings of $1,500+
• Tournament/lottery winnings of $5,000+

Federal withholding applies at 24% for qualifying winnings over $5,000. Louisiana eliminated the state deduction for gambling losses in 2021, meaning residents pay tax on gross winnings rather than net profits.

• Sports betting tax increase (2025): House Bill 639 raised online sports betting taxes from 15% to 21.5% effective August 2025, with revenue directed to college athletics funding and early childhood education. 
• Riverboat modernization continues: Following 2018 legislation allowing riverboat casinos to move operations onto land within 1,200 feet of waterways, multiple properties have completed or planned transitions. 
• Online casino study underway: Senate committees are studying potential iGaming expansion with findings due March 2025. The research reveals Louisiana residents wager approximately $4.6 billion annually at unregulated offshore casinos.
• Governor vetoes sweepstakes ban: Governor Jeff Landry vetoed Senate Bill 181 in June 2025, preserving the legal status of social casinos.

Louisiana maintains comprehensive problem gambling programs with dedicated funding from gaming tax revenue.

Getting help

• Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline: 1-877-770-STOP (7867)
• 988 Lifeline: Mental health crisis support with gambling-trained counselors
• Self-exclusion program: Minimum 5-year ban from all LGCB-regulated facilities

All licensed gambling venues must display problem gambling information and provide resources for those seeking help. 

Louisiana's gambling industry stands at a crossroads with potential online casino expansion under legislative review while existing operations undergo significant modernization. The state's unique position as one of America's most gambling-friendly jurisdictions continues attracting investment, particularly given neighboring Texas's restrictive policies that drive billions in gambling revenue to Louisiana border casinos.

Sweepstakes casinos are the prominent option in any state where regulated real money online casinos are not available. Below is a list of other popular states, some even being nearby Louisiana.

• NC online casinos
• Virginia online casinos
• Illinois online casinos
• Indiana online casinos
• NY online casinos
• Cali online casinos
• Florida online casinos
• TX online casinos
• Missouri online casinos

What States Can You Play At Real Money Online Casinos?

• Michigan online casinos
• Pennsylvania online casinos
• NJ online casinos
• West Virginia online casinos