Potential November 1 launch for Louisiana sports betting

Despite setbacks, officials are hopeful the state can begin operations in the near future.

Louisiana state officials are hopeful that sports betting will launch throughout the region on November 1, 2021, as per comments by Ronnie John, the head of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

Currently, 13 of the Bayou state’s 20 licensed riverboats, racinos and Harrah’s land-based casinos have applied for permission to operate sportsbooks.

“I understand the public wants this very badly, and we’re working overtime. But we’ve got to dot our I’s and cross our T’s,” said Johns.

In an effort to satiate the state’s sports betting desires, Harrah’s has converted the once Acme Oyster House restaurant into a 75-person temporary sportsbook.

The sheer desire for sports betting is reflected by the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, which has been taking bets since October 6, despite not being regulated. However, Paragon is owned by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, giving them the legal right to operate a casino.

“Our goal was to have it up and running by the first of the year. We’re ahead in the ball game,” added Johns, suggesting legal sports betting is closer than many may assume.

Initially, sportsbooks will be given the go-ahead to open in already regulated land-based casinos, before online and mobile sports betting goes live throughout the state.

Earlier in the year, some had suggested a mid-September launch for sports betting. Unfortunately, Hurricane Ida delayed these plans as all of Louisiana State Police’s Gaming Enforcement Division were deployed to aid with disaster relief.

Henry Moore

Visit Profile

Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.