Louisiana was the fourth state to allow casino gambling and it went after the market with a passion, approving a maximum of 15 riverboat casinos, four Indian Reservation casinos and three land.
- Gambling Casinos In Louisiana New Orleans
- List Of Gambling Casinos In Louisiana
- Best Gambling Casinos In Louisiana
Types of Casinos in Louisiana There are three types of Louisiana casinos: Native American/tribal casinos, riverboat casinos, and one land-based casino. There are also three land-based Indian casinos. (KLFY) Many of the casinos under the Louisiana gaming control board will reopen Monday with specific guidelines to follow. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman, Ronnie Jones says. Contact Us; Address 7901 Independence Blvd. Building A Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Phone (225) 925-1846 1-888 295-8450 Fax (225) 925-1917 or 925-1945 Office Hours. Louisiana slot machine casino gambling consists of 24 casinos including sixteen riverboat casinos, four tribal casinos and four pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines. Further, there are 12,903 legal video poker machines at 1,634 retail locations across the state.
For as far back as the vast cypress swamps that provide the backdrop to Zydeco music, gambling on the bayou has been a way of life for generations of Louisiana residents.
Louisiana has some of the most exciting gambling laws in the entire United States. You may be planning your bayou vacation, but you need to know the laws for Louisiana gambling before you go.
History of Louisiana Gambling Laws
Louisiana offers one of the wealthiest and most vibrant histories of any state. To begin setting the stage for you, Louisiana had casinos being built before the first churches ever started appearing.
In my experience, Louisianans love to party. So, it won't come as any surprise that the state has a long run in the gambling game. Both legal and otherwise.
Playing the lottery was incredibly popular in the early to mid-1800s, and Louisiana was no exception. Unfortunately, the lotteries were often subject to nefarious dealings and less than desirable characters.
This often led to good people being cheated out of their hard-earned money — money that was no doubt needed to provide food for the family.
So, in the late 1800s, the state followed suit with many other states and banned the lotteries altogether. It wasn't until over a century later when the lotteries you and I are familiar with began to gain traction that the state lifted the curtain on lottery games.
Of course, the state-run games are much more on the up and up than earlier editions. Most of the incidents consisted of someone from out of town collecting the locals' money and drawing for the big prize.
Some fellow out of towner would be the lucky winner and claim the prize more often than not. Must have been some coincidence, wink.
Much like everything else, the laws surrounding horse racing have evolved into a more progressive style. They now stand opposed to the early days where the only form of legal bet you could make on the sport was parlayed.
Louisiana Lottos and Horse Racing Today
The lottery scene in Louisiana today is enormous. In addition to the state-run lottery with drawings multiple times a week, the state also participates in the significant multi-state games.
Powerball and Megamillions each offer Louisiana gamblers the chance to become multi-millionaires overnight.
The Louisiana Lottery also offers scratch-off tickets for real money. These games enable players to become instant winners if luck is on their side.
Louisiana currently has over 40 different scratch-off games in circulation. These games range from a simple $1 ticket all the way up to $10.
Depending on what state you're in, a $10 ceiling may seem pretty low for a scratch-off ticket. However, your state likely doesn't have casino gambling.
You must be at least 21 years old to purchase lottery tickets in Louisiana. The state government decided to bump the age from 18 to 21 in 1998.
This change aligned the lottery's ages to sync with all other forms of gambling in the state. So, to be clear, you must be at least 21 years old to gamble in Louisiana.
Live racing is also alive and thriving in Louisiana. Louisiana Downs is the premier horse racing venue in Louisiana.
Located in Bossier City, near Shreveport's riverboat casinos, Louisiana Downs provides aggressive and electric on-track action from May thru September.
Suppose you are a big fan of horse racing. In that case, Louisiana Downs is a must-see during the spring when the weather is comfortable. The young horses are itching to get out of the gate on all cylinders.
Online Gambling
Real money online gambling has broken from the pack as one of the top methods for gamblers to get in on the action.
After all, the convenience factor alone is stunning. You can literally play any game you may find in the casino from the comfort of your warm bed.
Imagine yourself laying all of the sports bets you could possibly play without so much as putting on your slippers.
Online casinos have made gambling on sports or casino games easier than checking the mail—what a time to be alive.
Or, as my friend would say, 'The future is now.'
That is unless you live in Louisiana.
While many states view online gambling as somewhat of a gray area, Louisiana strictly and definitively prohibits online gambling of any sort.
Gamblers, in many states, use online casinos as an alternative to flying to Las Vegas.
Usually, the law enforcement in their area is more concerned with stopping the casinos from operating than the gamblers from playing.
However, this is far from the case in Louisiana. The first offense can cost up to $500 in fines and another six months in jail.
A second offense bumps the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony. The fines double, and you could face nine months in prison.
Of course, just the threat of a felony charge is more than adequate to keep many would-be internet gambling moguls heading to brick and mortar casinos in the state.
Now that I've scared you straight, I want to point out another equally important bit of information.
Not a single person has ever seen prosecution for participating in online gambling in the state of Louisiana. Maybe the fine people of Louisiana are just such pillars of the community that they follow the letter of the law to a 'T.'
Social Gambling
I'm a huge proponent of social gambling for one straightforward reason. That reason is that I don't believe it'sit's the role of the government or anybody else to tell you what to do in your own home.
Louisiana gets this right.
Mostly. The laws do put a few stipulations on the ancillary 'hows,' but for the most part, you are okay to do so. How to set up super chat.
It may become a problem if the host is charging any kind of cover charge, is making a profit from the event itself, sells food to the guests, or begins handling money.
Avoid these no-nos, and you're free and clear. Of course, if you are busted for stepping out of line, the chances are that you won't be prosecuted.
Casino Gambling
Did you know that Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. where casino gambling is legal statewide?
That's right. Even the juggernaut of the east, Atlantic City, is an outlier for much of New Jersey.
The riverboat casinos of Louisiana are by far the largest and most recognizable of the state's casino industry.
These holdovers from a slower time when people in business would travel up and down the Muddy Mississippi operate under strict parameters.
Sam's Town Hotel and Casino in Shreveport are among the largest of these riverboat casinos. The busy gambling hub is more of a barge than a boat.
However, the laws dictate that any riverboat casino in operation must have a functioning means of propulsion. So, the paddle wheel's added feature on the backs of these monstrosities is of absolutely no use whatsoever.
They are, in fact, very serviceable, though.
Shreveport draws enormous numbers from the DFW Metroplex. Lake Charles is doing the same for hungry casino sharps from Austin and Houston.
In fact, from Houston, gamblers can leave work at 5 p.m. and be in the casino by 7 p.m. That's driving the speed limit, lead foots could be there even sooner.
Gambling Casinos In Louisiana New Orleans
Conclusion
Where the Louisiana gambling laws will go in the future is hard to say. The state has basically given the people a free rein when it comes to gambling on the bayou.
Possibly the most significant opportunities for advancement would be in the area of online gambling. But, if you're playing blackjack on your sofa, it's not really gambling on the bayou.
How to use our map of casinos in Louisiana
You can easily see all casino locations by using our Louisiana casinos map.
Louisiana Casinos Map Key:
Red Icon: Casino location
Green Number: Cluster of Casinos in close proximity to each other (clicking the green icon will zoom in the map)
This change aligned the lottery's ages to sync with all other forms of gambling in the state. So, to be clear, you must be at least 21 years old to gamble in Louisiana.
Live racing is also alive and thriving in Louisiana. Louisiana Downs is the premier horse racing venue in Louisiana.
Located in Bossier City, near Shreveport's riverboat casinos, Louisiana Downs provides aggressive and electric on-track action from May thru September.
Suppose you are a big fan of horse racing. In that case, Louisiana Downs is a must-see during the spring when the weather is comfortable. The young horses are itching to get out of the gate on all cylinders.
Online Gambling
Real money online gambling has broken from the pack as one of the top methods for gamblers to get in on the action.
After all, the convenience factor alone is stunning. You can literally play any game you may find in the casino from the comfort of your warm bed.
Imagine yourself laying all of the sports bets you could possibly play without so much as putting on your slippers.
Online casinos have made gambling on sports or casino games easier than checking the mail—what a time to be alive.
Or, as my friend would say, 'The future is now.'
That is unless you live in Louisiana.
While many states view online gambling as somewhat of a gray area, Louisiana strictly and definitively prohibits online gambling of any sort.
Gamblers, in many states, use online casinos as an alternative to flying to Las Vegas.
Usually, the law enforcement in their area is more concerned with stopping the casinos from operating than the gamblers from playing.
However, this is far from the case in Louisiana. The first offense can cost up to $500 in fines and another six months in jail.
A second offense bumps the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony. The fines double, and you could face nine months in prison.
Of course, just the threat of a felony charge is more than adequate to keep many would-be internet gambling moguls heading to brick and mortar casinos in the state.
Now that I've scared you straight, I want to point out another equally important bit of information.
Not a single person has ever seen prosecution for participating in online gambling in the state of Louisiana. Maybe the fine people of Louisiana are just such pillars of the community that they follow the letter of the law to a 'T.'
Social Gambling
I'm a huge proponent of social gambling for one straightforward reason. That reason is that I don't believe it'sit's the role of the government or anybody else to tell you what to do in your own home.
Louisiana gets this right.
Mostly. The laws do put a few stipulations on the ancillary 'hows,' but for the most part, you are okay to do so. How to set up super chat.
It may become a problem if the host is charging any kind of cover charge, is making a profit from the event itself, sells food to the guests, or begins handling money.
Avoid these no-nos, and you're free and clear. Of course, if you are busted for stepping out of line, the chances are that you won't be prosecuted.
Casino Gambling
Did you know that Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. where casino gambling is legal statewide?
That's right. Even the juggernaut of the east, Atlantic City, is an outlier for much of New Jersey.
The riverboat casinos of Louisiana are by far the largest and most recognizable of the state's casino industry.
These holdovers from a slower time when people in business would travel up and down the Muddy Mississippi operate under strict parameters.
Sam's Town Hotel and Casino in Shreveport are among the largest of these riverboat casinos. The busy gambling hub is more of a barge than a boat.
However, the laws dictate that any riverboat casino in operation must have a functioning means of propulsion. So, the paddle wheel's added feature on the backs of these monstrosities is of absolutely no use whatsoever.
They are, in fact, very serviceable, though.
Shreveport draws enormous numbers from the DFW Metroplex. Lake Charles is doing the same for hungry casino sharps from Austin and Houston.
In fact, from Houston, gamblers can leave work at 5 p.m. and be in the casino by 7 p.m. That's driving the speed limit, lead foots could be there even sooner.
Gambling Casinos In Louisiana New Orleans
Conclusion
Where the Louisiana gambling laws will go in the future is hard to say. The state has basically given the people a free rein when it comes to gambling on the bayou.
Possibly the most significant opportunities for advancement would be in the area of online gambling. But, if you're playing blackjack on your sofa, it's not really gambling on the bayou.
How to use our map of casinos in Louisiana
You can easily see all casino locations by using our Louisiana casinos map.
Louisiana Casinos Map Key:
Red Icon: Casino location
Green Number: Cluster of Casinos in close proximity to each other (clicking the green icon will zoom in the map)
Fruity loops online demo. Zoom features: In the upper left corner of the map is a (+/-) symbol
- + (Plus)- Zoom In
- – (Minus)- Zoom Out
Layer features: In the upper right corner of the map is a ( /// ) symbol. Click on it to show the following display options:
- Roadmap: The map will feature all roads and streets.
- Hybrid: The map will feature all roads and streets on an overhead satellite image.
- Satellite: The map will feature an overhead satellite image.
- Terrain: The map will feature all roads and streets on a topographic image.
To scroll the map of casinos in Louisiana, move your mouse icon over the map. The icon will then appear as a hand. Click and hold the left mouse button and the hand will 'grab' the map. While the button is depressed (the hand will be closed) drag the map in any direction you would like the map to move.
List Of Gambling Casinos In Louisiana
The red icons on the map represent a casino location. Click on any red icon on the map to see the name of the casino at that location. If you would like more information, click on the casino's name in blue and it will forward you to a new page with detailed information on that casino including: address, phone number, website, toll-free phone number, room rates, casino size, games offered, dining information, any special features, and availability of discounts for seniors.
Casinos in Louisiana
Best Gambling Casinos In Louisiana
Louisiana is home to three types of casinos: riverboat casinos, Native American casinos, and one land-based casino.
In 1991 Louisiana approved riverboat casino gambling, it was actually the fourth state in the U.S. to legalize it. In 1991 the law only allowed for a maximum of 15 riverboats to operate statewide. A year later, in 1992, New Orleans added a provision to allow for the one land-based casino, Harrah's New Orleans.
In Louisiana there are three Native American Indian land-based casinos, and four slot machine-only casinos located at pari-mutuel facilities. In Louisiana video poker is permitted at Louisiana truck stops, bars/taverns, and OTB's are in over half of the state's 64 parishes (counties).
The minimum gambling age for all casinos in Louisiana is 21, and it is 18 for pari-mutuel betting.
Want to See an Alphabetical List of All Casinos in Louisiana?
Check out our Louisiana casinos page to see an alphabetical list of every casino in that state.
