Applications must be hand filled and delivered to the state police’s gaming enforcement division in Baton Rouge.
Sports betting license applications come with a $250,000 fee, while sports betting platform provider permit applications carry a $100,000 fee.
Louisiana allows up to 41 mobile sports betting platforms and 20 retail sportsbooks at existing gaming facilities including casinos and racetracks. The Advocate reports that retail licenses go to the ‘Big 20’ casinos – the state’s 15 riverboats, four racetracks and one land-based casino, Harrah’s in New Orleans.
Last Thursday the Gaming Control Board passed emergency rules that went into effect Aug. 23 and last 180 days. The state expects to approve permanent sports betting rules before that span expires.
By approving emergency rules, Louisiana hopes to launch retail sports betting as early as mid-September. Licenses will be handed out at the next LGCB meeting scheduled for September 9.
A September launch is significant for sportsbooks seeking to capitalize on NFL wagers. The NFL regular season kicks off September 9.
Louisiana residents in 55 of 64 parishes approved sports betting in November 2020. Retail sportsbooks and mobile sports betting will be limited to those parishes where sports betting was passed by voters.
The state will use geofencing to ensure mobile sports betting is limited to those parishes.
