Is online gambling legal in Louisiana?

Check that a site shows the seal of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board before you deposit. Winnings are taxable income, with state income tax rates from 1.85% to 4.25% and 24% federal withholding on winnings exceeding $5,000.

Online gambling is not regulated here (sports betting grey/partial; online casino and online poker are illegal). Offshore sites are reachable, but if something goes wrong you may have no one to complain to.

Online sports betting is only partly legal in Louisiana (partial). Online casino is banned in Louisiana. Online poker is banned in Louisiana. The lottery is legal on sites licensed in Louisiana.

The minimum age on record for gambling in Louisiana is 21+.

Federal: 24% withholding on gambling winnings exceeding $5,000. State: Winnings are subject to Louisiana's personal income tax, with rates ranging from 1.85% to 4.25% depending on income level.

Always verify a casino holds a valid Louisiana Gaming Control Board licence before depositing.

Louisiana Gaming Control Board's website

Prominent operators in Louisiana

If a site isn't on the regulator's licensee register, ask the regulator before you play: an unlisted site is usually not licensed here (a register can lag behind a new licence). An unlicensed site is outside the regulator's supervision, so you cannot complain to the regulator about it.

1. 1

   1. Contact Operator Customer Support

   The first step is to attempt to resolve the dispute directly with the licensed operator's customer service team. Document all communication, including dates, times, and names of representatives.

2. 2

   2. File a Formal Complaint with the LGCB

   If the issue is not resolved, you can file a formal complaint with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. The LGCB's role is to ensure licensees operate fairly and according to state law.

   Louisiana Gaming Control Board

• ✓
  Check for the LGCB Seal

  All licensed and legal online sportsbooks in Louisiana will display the official seal of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board on their app and website, usually in the footer. The absence of this seal is a major red flag.

• ✓
  Verify the Operator on the LGCB Website

  The LGCB maintains public records of all licensed sports wagering operators. Before depositing, cross-reference the brand name with the official lists available on the regulator's website.

• ✓
  Confirm Geolocation and Identity Checks

  Legal sites are required by law to use geolocation software to confirm you are in an approved parish and to perform strict Know Your Customer (KYC) checks to verify your age (21+) and identity. Unlicensed sites often skip these steps.

• ✓
  Look for Responsible Gaming Tools

  Licensed operators must provide easy access to responsible gaming resources, including the 1-877-770-STOP helpline number and tools to set deposit, wager, and time limits, as well as access to the state's self-exclusion list.

• Myth

  I can bet online from anywhere in Louisiana.
  Reality

  You can only place bets while physically located in one of the 55 parishes that voted to approve sports betting. Geolocation software on all legal apps will block you if you are in one of the nine prohibited parishes (Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, LaSalle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll, or Winn).

• Myth

  My winnings aren't taxed in Louisiana.
  Reality

  All gambling winnings are considered taxable income by both the federal government and the State of Louisiana. You must report them on your tax returns, where they are subject to state income tax rates from 1.85% to 4.25%.

• Myth

  Sweepstakes casino sites are a legal way to play slots online.
  Reality

  The Louisiana Attorney General and the LGCB have declared that online sweepstakes offering casino-style games are illegal. Recent laws passed in 2026 have made operating these sites a felony racketeering offense in the state.

What you can expect from a licensed site's offers in Louisiana. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.