A launch for mobile sports betting in Louisiana is still in limbo.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board met Thursday, largely to hear revenue reports and an update on an issue with the DiamondJacks Casino & Resort, which is one of 20 casinos eligible for a sports betting license in the state.
Despite no updates at the meeting, LGCB chairman Ronnie Johns still hopes to launch mobile LA sports betting by the Feb. 13 Super Bowl, according to a Wednesday interview with The Advocate.
Second month of LA sports betting figures
The LGCB meeting revealed the December totals for retail sports betting in Louisiana. The 11 retail sportsbooks open in December took $39.5 million in bets.
The operators generated $4.38 million in revenue, an 11.1% hold. The state collected $438,000 in taxes.
In November, LA sportsbooks handled $27.6 million in bets after the state’s first sportsbook opened Oct. 31.
DFS first numbers
A lengthy daily fantasy sports process in Louisiana began when voters approved DFS in 2018. The first operator did not receive approval until summer 2021.
DraftKings launched in July 2021, while FanDuel took off in October.
The first DFS revenue figures were released at Thursday’s meeting. In its six months of operation, DraftKings generated $1.3 million in revenue, while FanDuel made $74,000 in its first few months.
Louisiana mobile sports betting
As Johns signed retail sportsbook licenses in fall 2021, he often pointed to January 1, 2022, as a start date for mobile LA sports betting. With that date passed, he recently set the goal of the Super Bowl for mobile.
Previously, Johns said a significant portion of the delay is because of geofencing, as sports betting is not allowed in nine of the state’s 64 parishes.
Johns will likely sign licenses in bunches as they are approved by the Louisiana State Police.
Which mobile operators likely?
Two Caesars properties were among the first to receive approval for retail licenses, so Caesars Sportsbook is a safe bet to be an early mover. Two Penn National properties were also in the first wave.
Caesars is highly active in the market, purchasing the Superdome naming rights, and signing deals with LSU and media organization NOLA.com. The operator also launched its app for registration and deposits in October.
There are 20 casinos in the state that can hold licenses, each with up to two skins. Caesars, Penn National and Boyd Gaming all own multiple properties in the state.
With up to 40 skins available, LA mobile sportsbooks will likely include:
- BetMGM
- FanDuel
- BetRivers
- DraftKings
- PointsBet
- WynnBet
- Barstool
Louisiana Lottery operator search in progress
The Louisiana Lottery released a request for information to vendors to find a “turnkey sports betting solution” in December,” according to Kimberly Chopin, director of communications for the Louisiana Lottery. The vendor will provide a mobile app and kiosks for lottery retailers.
The deadline for the RFI responses is Feb. 15. In August, Chopin told LSR the goal was to launch by January 2022.
“We won’t know much about a new timeline until we have had time to review what is submitted,” Chopin told LSR this week.
DiamondJacks saddled with deadline
DiamondJacks closed in March 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. At Thursday’s meeting, the LGCB gave the Bossier City casino a Feb. 25 deadline to resume operations.
If it fails to do so, it could lose its license. According to The Advocate, if the license is revoked, another casino company would likely bid for the open slot.