Louisiana has always been a gambling state. They’ve got riverboat casinos, racetracks, and even legal sports betting now. But when it comes to online casinos in Louisiana? The rules are different. Real-money sites aren’t legal yet, which leaves a lot of players trying to figure out what’s actually allowed.
The good news is that you’ve got options. Social and sweepstakes casinos give players a legal way to enjoy slots, table games, and more (with the added bonus of being able to redeem winnings for real cash prizes).
In this guide, we’ll cover how online gambling works in Louisiana today and point you to the best Louisiana online casinos you can play at right now.
Promotions
Promotions
Louisiana Online Gambling: A Quick Overview
Believe it or not, Louisiana is one of the most progressive states in the South when it comes to online gambling laws.
Sports betting, DFS contests, and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing are all legal here today. So you can already bet and win real money on your phone from pretty much anywhere in the state.
But online casino gambling sites? Those still aren’t allowed. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board hasn’t licensed any operators yet, though there’s been some talk of expanding into iGaming down the road.
For now, the main alternatives are social casinos and sweepstakes casinos. But before we get into all that, here’s a quick summary of all of the state’s legal gambling options:
| 🎲 Type of Gambling | 👍 Is It Legal? | 🔞 Age Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Online Casinos | ❌ No | N/A |
| Online Poker | ❌ No | N/A |
| Retail Casinos | ✅ Yes. Land-based casinos, riverboat casinos, tribal casinos, and racinos. | 21+ |
| Sports Betting | ✅ Yes (55 of 64 parishes). Both online and in-person. | 21+ |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | ✅ Yes (47 of 64 parishes). | 21+ |
| Horse Race Betting | ✅ Yes. Allowed at racetracks, OTBs, and online. | 18+ |
| State Lottery | ✅ Yes. Tickets must be purchased in person at authorized retailers. | 21+ |
Our Top Recommended Louisiana Online Casinos
Our team at ATS.io has tested all of the online casinos currently accepting players from Louisiana, and these are our top picks that we can’t recommend enough:
1. Chumba Casino: Best Overall Online Casino
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 2,000,000 FREE Gold Coins and 2 FREE Sweeps Coins
- 🎉 Exclusive Promo Code: Click To Claim
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.2/5.0
First up, we’ve got Chumba. It’s one of the industry’s biggest names, and the casino has a great reputation for treating players fairly and paying out on time.
It offers over 200 games: Online slots. Video poker. Bingo. Scratch cards. Live dealer games. And a whole lot more. Plus, Chumba’s user-friendly app works well on both iOS and Android.
The only downside? In most states, players can use Sweeps Coins for a chance at real cash prizes. That’s not the case in Louisiana. After the state’s crackdown, Chumba switched to Gold Coins only, which means free play with no chance to win real money.
But if you’re just looking for a fun and free place to play online casino games in Louisiana, it’s still the top option. Read our full Chumba Casino review here.
2. Golden Hearts Games: Fastest Payout Times
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: 250K Gold Coins & 2.50 Free Sweeps Coins
- 🎉 Exclusive Promo Code: ATSBONUS
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 4.3/5.0
Golden Hearts is another one of the best online casinos in Louisiana.
It gives players a wide range of game options, with hundreds of titles to pick from. You’ll find slot games, blackjack, roulette, video poker, and more, plus 24/7 bingo rooms and daily bonuses that keep things exciting.
Unlike some other social casinos, Golden Hearts still pays out real cash prizes here… and it does so really quickly, with some of the fastest cash-out times around. Same-day payouts are even an option for those who have redeemed a handful of times already.
Read our in-depth Golden Hearts Games review to learn more.
3. Vegas Gems Casino: Top Pick for Live Dealer Games
- 🎁 Welcome Bonus: Up to 1,000 FREE Gems & 50% First Purchase Bonus
- 🎉 Exclusive Promo Code: ATSBONUS
- ⭐ ATS.io Rating: 3.8/5.0
Last on our list is Vegas Gems, and it’s one of my favorite Louisiana online casinos. Here’s why:
For starters, the site has one of the best promotions I’ve seen. New players can get up to 1,000 Free Gems when they sign up, and each Gem can be redeemed for $1 in cash prizes. Also, the site has more than a thousand online slots, with new casino games added each and every week.
On top of that, you’ll find a massive live dealer section with more than 40 games in all. That includes Lightning Blackjack, Speed Roulette, Dream Catcher, and so much more.
Want some more info? Read our full Vegas Gems Casino review.
Comparing the Best Online Casinos in Louisiana
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of all the top Louisiana online casinos. Hopefully, this will make things a bit easier for you!
| 🎰 LA Online Casino | 🎁 Sign Up Bonus | 💵 First Purchase Deal | 🎮 Number of Casino Games | 💳 Min. Redemption | 📱 Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chumba Casino | 2,000,000 GC + 2 SC | 10M GC for $9.99 + 30 FREE SC | 200+ | $10 | Yes ✅ |
| LuckyLand Slots | 7,777 GC + 10 SC | 50K for $4.99 + 10 FREE SC | 100+ | $50 | Yes ✅ |
| Global Poker | 100,000 GC + 5 SC | 150K GC for $9.99 + 30 FREE SC | 200+ | $10 | No ❌ |
| Scrooge Casino | 2,000,000 GC + 250 ST | 1.5M GC for $9.99 + 2.5K FREE ST | 200+ | $100 | No ❌ |
| Vegas Gems | Up to 1,000 FREE Gems | 50% Gem Boost up to $20 | 1,300+ | $100 | No ❌ |
| LuckyBird Casino | 5,000 GC, 0.98 SC, and 3 Treasure Chests | 5 FREE SC on 1st $10+ Purchase | 700+ | $30 | No ❌ |
| Golden Hearts | 250,000 GC + 2.50 SC | 1.75M GC for $9.99 + 25 FREE SC | 200+ | $50 | No ❌ |
Is Online Gambling Legal in Louisiana?
No, not right now. Real-money online casinos aren’t legal in Louisiana, and here’s why:
- The state hasn’t passed a law to allow them. There’s no licensing or regulation for online casinos here.
- That’s why you won’t see DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, or Caesars offering casino apps in Louisiana. They only offer what’s been approved, like online sportsbooks and daily fantasy apps.
- Louisiana Revised Statute §14:90.3 (Gambling by Computer) makes online gambling illegal unless lawmakers give direct approval.
- Players who break this Louisiana law could get hit with up to a $500 fine and as much as six months in jail.
- Operators face even more serious penalties: Up to $20,000 in fines and as much as five years in prison.
- Online sports betting, daily fantasy contests, pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, and electronic gaming machines at casinos are all listed as exceptions. They’re considered legal forms of online gambling.
For now, there’s no legal way to play real-money online casinos in Louisiana. Could that change? Absolutely… but only if lawmakers pass a new bill and get the law changed.
Who Regulates Gambling in Louisiana?
Most gambling in Louisiana is regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB).
They oversee pretty much everything: casino games at land-based and riverboat casinos, sports gambling, daily fantasy contests, slot machines at racetracks, and even those video poker machines you see all the time in bars.
Some of the LGCB’s main responsibilities include:
- Issuing licenses to casinos and operators
- Monitoring compliance with state gambling laws
- Enforcing rules and investigating violations
- Overseeing responsible gambling measures
Not everything falls under the Gaming Control Board, though.
The Louisiana Lottery Corporation oversees the state lottery. Charitable bingo and raffles fall under the Office of Charitable Gaming inside the Department of Revenue. And horse racing betting? That’s the responsibility of the Louisiana Racing Commission.
Louisiana Gambling Laws Compared to Nearby States
Wondering how Louisiana’s gambling laws stack up against some of its neighboring states? Check out the table below to find out.
| 🏛️ State | 🎰 Casinos | 🎮 Online Casinos | 🏈 Sports Betting | 🎟️ State Lottery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | ✅ Yes – riverboat, land-based, tribal, racinos | ❌ Not legal | ✅ Retail & mobile (55 of 64 parishes) | ✅ Yes |
| Texas | ✅ Yes but limited (Class II gaming only) | ❌ Not legal | ❌ Not legal | ✅ Yes |
| Mississippi | ✅ Yes – many commercial casinos (Biloxi, Tunica, etc.) | ❌ Not legal | ✅ Retail only | ✅ Yes |
| Arkansas | ✅ Yes – 3 land-based casinos | ❌ Not legal | ✅ Retail & mobile | ✅ Yes |
| Alabama | ✅ Yes but limited (Class II gaming only) | ❌ Not legal | ❌ Not legal | ✅ Yes |
| Oklahoma | ✅ Yes – tribal casinos | ❌ Not legal | ❌ Not legal | ✅ Yes |
| Florida | ✅ Yes – tribal casinos (Seminole) | ❌ Not legal | ✅ Retail & mobile | ✅ Yes |
| Missouri | ✅ Yes – riverboat, land-based | ❌ Not legal | ✅ Retail & mobile | ✅ Yes |
| Tennessee | ❌ No casinos | ❌ Not legal | ✅ Mobile only (no retail sportsbooks) | ✅ Yes |
Social Casinos & Sweepstakes Casinos in Louisiana
Real-money online casinos aren’t allowed in Louisiana, but for a while, players had another legal option: social casinos, also called sweepstakes casinos.
These sites are different from online casinos DraftKings, BetMGM, or Caesars because you’re not actually betting cash.
Instead, everything runs on virtual currency. You use Gold Coins (GC) to play for fun, while Sweeps Coins (SC) act as free entries into sweepstakes contests. SC can later be redeemed for cash prizes at a rate of 1 SC = $1.
For years, this setup made social casino sites the main online alternative for Louisiana players. But that changed in 2025.
Lawmakers passed a bill aimed at banning them; it cleared through both the House and Senate but was eventually vetoed by Governor Jeff Landry. Not long after, Attorney General Liz Murrill issued a formal opinion declaring sweepstakes casinos a form of illegal gambling.
The fallout was almost immediate. Most of the big-name sites (McLuck, High 5, Pulsz, Stake.us, WOW Vegas) pulled out of Louisiana right away. A few smaller operators are still accepting Louisiana residents… but their future here is uncertain.
We’ll be sure to update this section as soon as there are any new developments.
What Online Casino Games Can You Play in Louisiana?
When it comes to games, social and sweepstakes casinos in Louisiana (at least the ones still operating here) offer plenty of options. You’ll find all the same game types you’d expect at a real-money online gambling site, and in some cases, even more. Here’s what you can expect:
Slots
Slot games always make up the bulk of the libraries at Louisiana online casino sites. You’ll see hundreds of titles ranging from classic three-reel games to modern video slots with bonus rounds and jackpots.
Table Games
Blackjack, roulette, and baccarat are always on the menu. Some Louisiana casino sites also include table games like Three Card Poker or Casino Hold’em. And a few even offer live dealer games for a more real-casino feel.
Video Poker
Jacks or Better is almost always included, but most online casinos in Louisiana go beyond that. Deuces Wild, Double Bonus, and other variants are common too.
Specialty Games
Specialty casino games are where things get a little different. You’ll find keno, bingo, and scratch cards, along with trendy options like crash games, fishing table games, and even Plinko.
Louisiana Online Casino No Deposit Bonuses
Another great thing about all the best sweepstakes casino apps in Louisiana? They all provide free no-deposit bonuses.
You’ll usually get coins the moment you sign up… no credit card required. That’s a perk you don’t even get at most real-money online casinos.
So, why do they do it? It comes down to how the sweepstakes model works. Sites have to give players a free way to join and win in order to comply with sweepstakes rules. Handing out free coins up front is the easiest way to meet this requirement.
Check out the table below for some of the best Louisiana online casinos offering these bonuses right now:
| 🎰 LA Online Casinos | 🔥 No Purchase Bonus | 🎁 Promo Code |
|---|---|---|
| Chumba Casino | 2,000,000 FREE Gold Coins and 2 FREE Sweeps Coins | Click To Claim |
| Global Poker | 100K Gold Coins + 5 FREE Sweeps Coins | FLUSH |
| Golden Hearts | 250K Gold Coins & 2.50 Free Sweeps Coins | ATSBONUS |
| LuckyBird | 45 SC FREE, 451K Gold Coins + 10 Treasure Chests | Click To Claim |
| LuckyLand Slots | FREE 7,777 Gold Coins & 10 FREE Sweeps Coins | Click To Claim |
| Scrooge Casino | 250 Sweeps Tokens & 2M Gold Coins | None Needed – Click to Claim |
| Vegas Gems | Up to 1,000 FREE Gems Instantly | ATSBONUS |
Want more deals to take advantage of? Or do you have some questions about how these promos work? Head over to our full guide to Louisiana online casino no-deposit bonuses. It breaks everything down.
How to Get Started at LA Online Casinos
Well, your options for Louisiana online casinos are a bit limited right now. But there are still ways to play. If you want to play casino games online for a chance to win real money prizes, here’s how to get started today:
1. Choose a Legal Casino Site
Online gambling sites don’t accept Louisiana players. But social and sweepstakes casino sites? Some of them do. Chumba, Golden Hearts, and Vegas Gems are three of the best casinos still available (at least the last time I checked).
2. Sign Up for an Account
Once you’ve picked a casino, head to their website or download the app. Fill out the registration form and verify your identity if needed.
3. Claim a Free Welcome Bonus
Most Louisiana online casinos give you free Gold Coins (for fun play) and Sweeps Coins (redeemable for cash prizes) as soon as you join. Some even add a 100% match on your initial deposit.
4. Begin Your Online Gaming Experience
Now comes the fun part. Play slots, play table games, play all your other favorite games, too. Then, once you’ve won enough, redeem your winnings for cash prizes and gift cards.
Other Legal Forms of Louisiana Online Gambling
We’ve already touched on this earlier in the guide, but it’s worth repeating: even though online casinos aren’t allowed, there are still a few legal ways to gamble online in Louisiana. The options include:
Sports Betting
Sports betting went live in Louisiana in January 2022. It’s only legal in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes (the ones where voters approved it).
Since launch, nearly a dozen Louisiana online sportsbooks have opened shop, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and ESPN BET. You just need to be 21 or older to place real-money bets.
Horse Racing
Horse racing has been around forever in Louisiana, and online betting is part of that.
You can wager through TwinSpires, AmWager, DK Horse, FanDuel Racing, and a handful of other advance-deposit wagering (ADW) sites. The minimum age is 18, a little lower than for sports gambling.
Daily Fantasy Sports
In 2018, voters in 47 parishes approved a ballot measure to legalize paid-entry fantasy contests.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board later issued licenses, so popular DFS sites like DraftKings and FanDuel are fully available now. Players must be 21+ to enter real-money contests.
Lottery Games
The lottery works a little bit differently. You can play Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto, Pick 3, and other draw games… but not online. You have to buy a ticket at a licensed retailer.
The Louisiana Lottery does have a mobile app, but it’s just for checking results or scanning a ticket to see if you won. You must be 21 or older to play.
Louisiana Casinos: Where to Gamble In-Person
If you want to gamble in person, Louisiana makes it pretty easy.
There are casinos scattered across the state, and not just a few… I’m talking dozens of them. On top of that, nearly 1,400 other places are cleared to run video poker machines. You’ll see them in bars, restaurants, hotels, truck stops, and even at off-track betting parlors.
Casinos themselves generally fall into four groups: land-based, riverboats, tribal casinos, and racinos.
Land-Based Casinos
Caesars New Orleans Hotel & Casino is the only casino in Louisiana with an official “land-based” designation.
It opened all the way back in 1999 under the name “Harrah’s New Orleans.” The casino floor is huge, about 115,000 square feet. Inside are more than 1,300 slot machines and just over 120 table games. Today, it’s still one of the busiest casinos in the state.
Riverboat Casinos
Louisiana first allowed riverboat casinos in 1991. State law said they had to cruise on set schedules. But in practice? Most rarely left the dock. By 2001, the state dropped the cruising rule, though the casinos still had to stay on the water.
There are fifteen licensed riverboats today. Six operate in Shreveport/Bossier City. Lake Charles has three, Baton Rouge has three, and there’s one each in Kenner, Harvey, and Amelia.
A 2018 law loosened the restrictions a bit, letting casinos move inland (but only within 1,200 feet of their original location). Several have now made that move, including Treasure Chest in Kenner, the Belle of Baton Rouge, and Horseshoe Lake Charles.
Tribal Casinos
Louisiana also has four tribal casinos. Each is owned and operated by a federally recognized Native American tribe.
- Coushatta Casino Resort (Kinder) – Run by the Coushatta Tribe. It’s the largest casino resort in the state.
- Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel (Charenton) – Run by the Chitimacha Tribe.
- Jena Choctaw Pines Casino (Dry Prong) – Run by the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians.
- Paragon Casino Resort (Marksville) – Run by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe.
Racinos
Louisiana also has racinos, which are horse racetracks that offer slot machines too. There are four of these in total:
- Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino and Hotel (Vinton)
- Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino (Opelousas)
- Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots (New Orleans)
- Louisiana Downs Casino & Racetrack (Bossier City)
Responsible Gambling in Louisiana
Gambling is supposed to be fun. A few bets on sporting events, some time at the tables, or a couple of spins on video slots… that’s the idea.
The problem is, it doesn’t take all that much for things to get out of hand. That’s why we like to talk about responsible gambling here at ATS.io. It matters. And in Louisiana, there are plenty of places you can turn if you ever need some help:
- Louisiana has a free, 24/7 helpline at 877-770-7867, funded through the Department of Health.
- There are also no-cost treatment options and statewide support through Problem Gambling Resource Services.
- Groups like the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling and Gamblers Anonymous are available as well.
The Future of Online Casino Gambling in Louisiana
Online casinos aren’t legal in Louisiana right now. That much is clear. The question is whether they ever will be. And the answer? Probably. There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about that:
Reasons Louisiana Could Be the Next to Legalize iGaming
- Sports betting success. Louisiana already launched online sports betting back in January 2022. And everything has gone well so far. The state has pulled in new tax revenue, and regulators proved they can handle licensing, geolocation, and compliance.
- Lawmakers are studying the issue. In 2024, lawmakers passed Senate Resolution 149. It didn’t legalize anything, but it asked committees to study the online casino industry. That may sound insignificant, but just exploring the issue means momentum is building toward legal iGaming.
- Industry push. Caesars, DraftKings, BetMGM, and other iGaming brands already run sportsbooks here. And they already offer online casino games in U.S. states where it’s legal. That means they’ve already got the technology and the customers. Expanding into online casinos would be in their best interest, and you can bet they’ll lobby for it when the time is right.
- Sweepstakes crackdown. In 2025, Louisiana moved against sweepstakes casinos and other unregulated gambling sites. Billions of dollars flow through these “legally gray” markets every year. Lawmakers clearly want that money taxed and controlled, which could set the stage for legal online casino sites down the road.
When Could It Actually Happen?
So, when can we expect a change to be made? And for online casino sites to become legal here? Nobody knows for sure.
There are still plenty of roadblocks: problem gambling concerns, moral opposition in some parts of the state, and resistance from casino operators who don’t want to lose revenue to online play.
Even so, Louisiana has already expanded gambling once with sports betting, and the push to do more hasn’t gone away. Online casinos aren’t here yet, but it wouldn’t be surprising if that changes before the decade is over.
We’ll update this section as soon as there’s more news to share.
Louisiana Online Casino FAQs
Nope. Offshore casino sites aren’t legal in Louisiana. Sites like Bovada, MyBookie, BetUS, and Wild Casino do take players from the state, but they aren’t licensed or regulated in the U.S. And with no state or federal oversight, players take on a lot of risks at offshore casinos: payouts can be unreliable, the games may not be fair, and there’s nowhere to turn if something goes wrong.
No, you can’t. Online poker isn’t legal here, same as online casinos. So you won’t find any licensed online poker rooms or real-money poker sites that accept Louisiana players. Your only options are video poker outlets (those machines in bars, restaurants, and truck stops). Or if you want to play real poker for cash, you’ll need to sit down in person at a poker room in a land-based casino like Caesars New Orleans, Coushatta in Kinder, or Golden Nugget Lake Charles.
No, it’s not. The DraftKings Sportsbook app is legal here, but the DraftKings casino app isn’t. Louisiana law doesn’t allow online casino gambling, so you won’t find slots, roulette, or blackjack games on the DraftKings app in this state.
Affiliate Disclosure
ATS.io features affiliate links to licensed online casinos, sportsbooks, and gambling platforms. That means if you click on them and end up signing up or making a deposit, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only work with licensed and reputable online casinos, social casinos and sportsbooks. Our content whether it’s reviews, guides, or betting tips is written with the goal of being honest, helpful, and based on real experience. While we do earn through affiliate partnerships, it doesn’t affect our recommendations. If a site isn’t safe or doesn’t meet our standards, we won’t promote it. Simple as that. We also take responsible gambling seriously. We encourage all our readers to gamble safely, set limits, and know when to take a break. Have questions? Feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to chat.
