Online Gambling in Louisiana: Laws, Forms, and Player Behavior

Unlike in states such as New Jersey, online poker is not legal and regulated in Louisiana. The state's law, specifically the “gambling by computer” statute (RS 14:90.3E), prohibits real-money online poker platforms. Louisiana does not participate in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), which means there are no shared player pools with other legal states like Nevada and Michigan. As a result, you won't find any state-licensed or regulated sites offering cash games or tournaments.

While some offshore sites may accept residents, these platforms are not overseen by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and do not offer the same consumer protections as regulated operations. To legally participate in any gambling in Louisiana, players must be located within the state and be over 21 years of age.

The Louisiana Lottery is fully legal, with all proceeds funding K-12 public education. The Louisiana Lottery Corporation, a state entity, administers a variety of draw games and scratch-off tickets. Players must be 21 or older to purchase and redeem tickets. Available games include national draws like Powerball and Mega Millions, as well as state-only options such as Lotto and Easy 5. Tickets can be bought at retail locations across the state, but unlike in some other states, the Louisiana Lottery does not offer online ticket sales or mobile play. Winnings are subject to both state and federal taxes.

Bingo and a variety of other charitable games are legal in Louisiana, regulated by the Office of Charitable Gaming. The law permits licensed nonprofit and charitable organizations to host events such as bingo, raffles, and pull-tabs. Participants must be at least 18 years old to play. To obtain a license, an organization must demonstrate its charitable purpose and all revenue must be used for allowable charitable purposes. Online charitable gaming is not a legally regulated option, and games are typically held in person with strict rules regarding prize limits and event frequency.

Daily Fantasy Sports is legal in Louisiana, but with a unique twist: it is permitted only in the parishes where voters approved it in a 2018 referendum. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates the industry, requiring platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel to obtain licenses to operate within the state. To participate, players must be 21 or older and be physically located within an approved parish. DFS is classified as a skill-based game, but it is still subject to the same strict age verification and geolocation requirements as other forms of regulated gambling.

Daily Fantasy Sports is legal in Louisiana, but with a unique twist: it is permitted only in the parishes where voters approved it in a 2018 referendum. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates the industry, requiring platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel to obtain licenses to operate within the state. To participate, players must be 21 or older and be physically located within an approved parish. DFS is classified as a skill-based game, but it is still subject to the same strict age verification and geolocation requirements as other forms of regulated gambling.

Private, non-commercial social gambling is legal in Louisiana. This includes friendly games of cards or sports pools played among friends or family, as long as the host does not take a “house cut,” a rake, or profit in any way from the game. This is a key distinction from commercial gambling operations. Social games are not regulated by the state, but they must be held in a private residence or club. Public-facing social gambling is strictly prohibited. Online social casinos that use virtual currency and do not involve real money are also legal.

Louisiana has a unique mix of commercial land-based casinos, riverboat casinos, and tribal casinos. The industry is overseen by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. There is a single land-based casino in New Orleans, while the majority of commercial gaming establishments are riverboats docked on Louisiana's waterways. Additionally, several federally recognized Native American tribes operate their own casinos on reservation land. All players must be at least 21 years of age to enter, play, or collect winnings.