Six online platforms will be cleared for launch Friday for mobile Louisiana sports betting.
Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns told LSR he is signing six mobile LA sports betting licenses Wednesday morning. Johns said he could not disclose which operators will be in the first wave.
“We are going to approve six platforms, they’ll be adequate coverage for every license around the state,” Johns said. “We are going live Friday morning at 8 a.m., we are good to go, we will be in the online market.”
Each of the state’s 20 licenses can have up to two online skins. Online Louisiana sports betting will be available in the 55 of the state’s 64 parishes that approved sports betting in November 2020.
Big upcoming weekend for Louisiana sports betting
Johns previously set a goal to be online by Feb. 13 to capture Super Bowl betting. More than two weeks ahead of that date, mobile betting will available for Louisiana bettors pulling for Joe Burrow and Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.
“Everyone has gravitated toward Cincinnati with Burrow playing for the championship,” Johns said of the former LSU star. “It will be a huge weekend.”
Retail betting launched Oct. 31, with the sportsbooks at casinos across the state opening up throughout November and December.
Online sportsbooks in first Louisiana wave
While Johns did not disclose which platforms he would approve, BetMGM was the first operator to confirm its position.
“We’re proud that BetMGM will be in the first wave of operators to launch mobile sports betting in Louisiana this Friday,” BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said. We thank both the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the Louisiana State Police and look forward to parlaying BetMGM’s success in neighboring regions into a long, successful, and responsible relationship with sports fans in the state.”
Caesars Sportsbook, which was the first retail license to open, also confirmed it will launch Friday.
“Caesars Sportsbook is ready for mobile sports betting’s debut in Louisiana on Friday. This is an opportunity we’ve been working toward for a long time,” Caesars Digital Co-President Eric Hession said in a statement. “We’ve seen tremendous interest in legal sports betting since the opening of our Caesars Sportsbooks at Harrah’s New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City. Come Friday, through the app, we’ll be able to offer even more opportunities to experience the thrill of sports wagering.”
Johns has said he aims to reward operators that turned in applications first. That could mean Barstool Sportsbook will launch in the first wave as well, as Penn National Gaming was among two of the first four retail licenses signed in October, along with Caesars.
With 40 slots open, it is likely many major sportsbooks in the US sports betting landscape will enter Louisiana.
Additional operators with LA market access
- FanDuel
- DraftKings
- BetRivers
- Golden Nugget
- TwinSpires
- PointsBet
- WynnBet
WynnBet opens pre-registration
Earlier this week, WynnBet opened pre-registration for Louisiana bettors. The sportsbook gained market access in fall 2021 through a deal with Caesars, specifically the Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel & Casino.
“WynnBet’s launch in Louisiana is just the beginning of an exciting few months for our company as we significantly increase our footprint during the first quarter of 2022,” Wynn Interactive President Ian Williams said in a statement. “Pending regulatory approval, we will also soon be launching our online sportsbook in New York and Iowa, expanding the number of states players can enjoy our platform from seven to 10.”
The sportsbook operator stands to gain from its existing ambassador relationship with former LSU and NBA star Shaquille O’Neal.
Louisiana Lottery operator coming too
The Louisiana Lottery also will have a mobile sports betting option. The lottery is in the midst of an RFI process to find a vendor.
The deadline for responses is Feb. 15, according to a lottery spokesperson.
Retail sports betting grew in LA
The 11 retail sportsbooks open in December drew $39.5 million in bets, according to the LGCB.
The operators held 11.1%, generating $4.38 million in revenue.
That was a 43.1% increase from the $27.6 million November 2021 handle.
