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What's legal
Voters in 55 of Louisiana's 64 parishes approved sports betting in November 2020, and the legislature passed the Sports Wagering Act in 2021. In-person betting began in October 2021, and mobile betting went live on January 28, 2022. Under R.S. 27:607 and 27:608, bettors must be 21 or older and physically in a parish that approved betting.
The nine parishes that voted no are Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, La Salle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll and Winn. Apps use geolocation to confirm you are in an approved parish. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board's licensed-platforms page lists ten sportsbooks: Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, Twin Spires, Bet365, ESPN Bet, DraftKings, BetRivers, Bally's Bet and Fanatics.
Crypto and offshore sites
Licensed Louisiana sportsbooks take dollars through cards, bank transfers and similar methods, and the major licensed brands do not accept crypto. If you hold crypto, you would normally sell it for dollars before you fund an account, and that sale can be a taxable event.
Offshore crypto sportsbooks hold no Louisiana license. They are not licensed in any US state, so no state regulator stands behind your balance or your payout. The board keeps a public list of operators it has sent cease-and-desist letters, and the list includes offshore sportsbooks such as Bovada, BetUS and BetNow as well as sweepstakes casinos. On June 17, 2025, the board announced a round of enforcement actions against illegal offshore wagering and online sweepstakes gaming.
What's changing
On December 10, 2025, the board warned every licensed sportsbook and platform holder in writing about dealing in prediction markets. It says the board considers purported sporting event contracts and certain other event contracts to be illegal gambling under the Louisiana Criminal Code and Louisiana Gaming Control Law. It also warns that any direct or indirect involvement can affect a licensee's suitability for a license.
The board publishes a catalog of approved leagues, events and bet types. The current version is dated June 16, 2026. Operators can only offer wagers listed in it.
Tax on winnings
Louisiana moved to a flat individual income tax of 3 percent for tax years starting in 2025, and gambling winnings count as income, on top of federal tax. Keep records of wins and losses, and ask a tax professional about your own return.
Common questions
Is crypto sports betting legal in Louisiana?
Betting with a licensed Louisiana sportsbook is legal, but those books generally do not take crypto. Offshore crypto books are unlicensed there.
Can you bet online anywhere in Louisiana?
No. Betting is allowed only in the 55 parishes that approved it, and apps check your location.
Are sports event contracts legal in Louisiana?
The Gaming Control Board says purported sporting event contracts are illegal gambling under state law, and it warned licensees in December 2025 against offering them.