Casinos in Louisiana

We continue our exploration of the most important important US gambling laws in Louisiana. You’ll see that some popular forms of gaming are permitted, while others remain strictly outlawed by Louisiana gambling laws.

Casino Gambling and Betting in Louisiana

After the oil prices collapsed in the 80’s, Louisiana introduced a wide-range of legalized and taxed gambling for revenues, to become less dependent on oil. The Louisiana gambling law has a straightforward definition of gambling. “Gambling is the intentional conducting, or directly assisting in the conducting, as a business, of any game, contest, lottery, or contrivance whereby a person risks the loss of anything of value in order to realize a profit.” Overall, Louisiana gambling laws are among the most permitting in the states. Most gambling related definitions and laws concentrate on organizers and not individuals. Residents have plenty of legal options to gamble, including casino-style gambling, riverboat casinos, poker, and pari-mutuel betting. Businesses with a liquor license are automatically allowed to operate up to three gaming machines. It’s important to note that parishes (police juries) are authorized to individually prohibit gambling with cards. Generally betting on dogfighting, cockfighting, and underage gambling are the only prohibited forms of gambling in Louisiana. In cooperation with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, the Louisiana Gaming Enforcement Divisionn regulates the gambling market of the state.

Online Gambling in Louisiana

Louisiana gambling laws are very allowing when it comes to land-based casinos and betting. On the other hand, the state is among the few with explicit anti-online gambling laws. “The legislature […] recognizes that it has an obligation and responsibility to protect its […] youngest citizens, from the pervasive nature of gambling which can occur via the Internet,” reasons the Louisiana online gambling law. Breaching the ban can result in a fine of USD 500 and up to 6 months of jail time. Online poker in Louisiana is also covered by this law. In the previous years, there were some attempts to lift the ban, but they all failed to overwrite the law.

Lotteries in Louisiana

Lotteries have a rich and colorful history in Louisiana. In 1868, a group established the Louisiana Lottery Company, which sold tickets nationwide and became one of the largest businesses in the US. Besides an annual USD 40,000 for charity, the company kept all of its revenues. Following national charges of corruption, the Louisiana Lottery Company was shut down in 1890. The rebirth came in 1991 when the Louisiana Legislature approved ACT 1045, which established the Louisiana Lottery Corporation. Louisiana Lottery tickets can’t be purchased online.

Daily Fantasy Sports in Louisiana

Daily Fantasy sports sites don’t accept Louisianan players. Fantasy sports is gambling by computer and therefore outlawed by Louisiana gambling laws. “Louisiana is on the troublesome list of even the companies that are willing to take the greatest amount of risk,” said Marc Edelman, associate professor of law at Baruch College. HB475 of Louisiana would “provide an exception to the crimes of gambling and gambling by computer” to fantasy or simulation games. However, the bill has been shelved since 2015.