Back on October 31, 2021, Caesars opened the very first sportsbooks in Louisiana. They include retail sportsbooks located at Harrah’s New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel & Casino, both locations made history as the first sports bets were made in the state.
Since then, the state hasn’t looked back. Recently, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board announced that since October 31, the state has yielded $27MM in revenue from sports betting. This number is expected to grow as sports betting expands, especially when mobile sportsbooks become available.
When Will Mobile Sportsbooks Go Live in Louisiana?
Since October, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board has been focused on granting retail sportsbooks licenses to various operators throughout the state. Chairman Ronnie Johns has expressed desire to get the framework in place so that operators can launch a mobile sportsbook offering to Louisiana residents sometime during January 2022.
Currently, there are a handful of operators with retail sportsbooks up-and-running in the state. They include Caesars, which will operate five retail sportsbooks, DraftKings, FanDuel, the Golden Nugget, TwinSpires, and Barstool Sportsbook, which also operates retail sportsbooks.
These operators and others such as BetMGM Louisiana and Bally Bet are expected to make their sports betting apps available in early 2022 once they are given the go-ahead from the LGCB.
Impact on Louisiana Sports Fans
Simply put, sports betting adds another interactive element for sports fans to engage with before, during, and after games. The idea of wagering money, even if it’s small amounts, can enhance the viewing experience for fans and add excitement.
Sports fans in Louisiana have already received a taste of this new excitement with the unveiling of retail sportsbooks in the state. However, once mobile sportsbooks are live the experience is poised to take off, by an order of magnitude.
Online sports betting is ultra convenient and it will undoubtedly be a hit among Louisiana sports fans. Fans will be able to easily sign up for new sportsbooks from the comfort of their home or even inside a stadium while they wait for a game to start.
Furthermore, sports fans can take their fandom for local teams such as the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans to a whole new level. Not to mention, professional sports teams are actively partnering with sportsbooks to bring a more interactive experience to fans during the game.
What Louisiana Sports Fans Can Expect To Bet On At Mobile Sportsbooks
The online sports betting experience is expected to rival the current retail sportsbook experience but with the aforementioned level of convenience added. Fans will be able to bet on points spreads, points totals, and moneylines. They will also be able to explore prop bets, future bets, and in-game live betting all from the conveyance of an easy-to-use mobile app.
Sportsbook apps such as BetMGM Louisiana are expected to launch before the Super Bowl in 2022. Sports fans in Louisiana can already take advantage and pre-register and even receive a $200 free bet from BetMGM Louisiana.