• Laws & Regulations Louisiana Revised Statutes. Louisiana Gaming Control Act, LA R.S. Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control Act, LA R.S. Louisiana Economic Development and Gaming Corporation Act (Landbased Casino), LA R.S. Video Draw Poker Devices Control Law, LA R.S.
• A legislative task force Tuesday recommended turning Louisiana’s 15 licensed riverboats casinos into land-based gambling houses. The Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Task Force also wants.

1. Best Louisiana Casinos
2. Casinos Open In Louisiana

Below you will find the minimum legal age to gamble in various locations around the U.S., Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. In the 50 American states, some times you'll see a variance, this usually is due to Indian casinos having different age requirements in their casinos than state regulated casinos.

Gambling in Louisiana has a long history, going all the way back before this was a US state. In a southern American region represented by religious, conservative and biased against gambling, states, the laws on wagering here come as a breath of fresh air. All gambling enthusiasts from more than a couple of states around consider them to be the best gambling laws in the region. However, the new trend of creating a state-based legal online casino in the USA hasn’t caught on yet. Actually, it’s one of the few states whose legislation explicitly says no to online gambling.

Best Louisiana Online Casino Sites

Contents

Louisiana Gambling Laws

The first known gambling establishment goes way back from the mid-1700s. The history of wagering in these lands has gone through plenty of ups and downs, experiencing almost every aspect related to the phenomenon. Louisiana gambling laws went from permissive to interdicting and then liberal back again.

To the question is gambling legal in New Orleans, players from different periods might have responded in different ways. 1812 found all gambling around state forbidden, except in New Orleans. 1895 came with a ban for the famous town as well. Although the official re-legalization of casinos happened only in 1986, this whole period was under the sign of illicit gambling, New Orleans is infamous for this.
Truth be told, gambling in Louisiana casinos has often been associated with an underworld of crime, many scandals issuing around this subject, not only in the age of high criminality in the state but also in the more modern times. For instance, in 1995 a whole scandal erupted around a crime syndicate organizing illicit video poker tournaments. The year 2000 came with the imprisonment of a former governor which extorted large sums of money from companies trying to get licensed in the state’s gambling market.

In this context, the regulations became strict, trying to avert all the crime-related issues. Subsequently, this affected other aspects of this domain. For example, this is one of the few states where players who gamble online are specifically said to break the law.
However, the current field of betting is widely represented, any player having the possibility to enjoy slot games, horse racing wagering, table games betting, lotto tickets, raffles, and bingo.

Online Gambling

Louisiana casino laws have the renown of being some of the most liberal in the region. The LA state is one of the go-to places for residents in surrounding states, which are not that keen on allowing their population to try their luck in wagering games. Also, the gambling laws are some of the strictest when it comes to breaking these rules. A hefty fine and the possibility of up to six months jail time at the first misdemeanour and already a felony the second time around.

Another aspect of these strict laws is that, unlike most US states, Louisiana explicitly forbids online gambling. Online poker in Louisiana is not an option by any means. The phrase “computer gambling” appears in the law’s text, closing the door even on the renowned gray area where off-shore based betting sites usually made their entry.

On the other hand, Louisiana has always been a hub for activities at the edge of legality. Fact is that the state’s authorities haven’t got the means to pursue, verify, and collect evidence on the activity of gambling from the comfort of each citizen’s home. So, although in Louisiana, online casinos are strictly forbidden, there is no possibility for law representatives to know if anyone is actually playing on these websites. For this matter, there are many such online operators which accept Louisiana players.

Given all these subjects discussed before, if a Louisiana player is willing to place bets on a website based off-shore websites which you can find at Real Time Gaming casino list we prepared, extra measures of security must be taken. Only go on those websites you have absolute confidence in. The greatest way to find such an online casino, with the minimum amount of risk taken, is by checking the list of reviewed sites, where professionals verify in every detail, all aspects of the online casino’s security, licensing, terms of withdrawal, equity in gameplay and so on. Bovada Casino is a nice example. Bovada is legal in Louisiana and we’ve already reviewed this website.

Offline Options

Land-based Casinos

When it comes to playing in a casino in LA, all versions of brick-and-mortar venues are available:

• commercial casinos
• riverboats
• tribal casinos
• racinos

Historically, the hub for gambling was the thriving city of New Orleans. This is the centre of the state’s tourist attractions. The Mardi Gras festival is an occasion for people around the world to gather and chase all sort of entertainment, from the more mystic side to the simple party all-night-long type, going through a sensual or artistic aspect. In all this, gambling fits in like a glove. The only mandatory rule in a place that seems to have none is respecting the gambling age in New Orleans.

Another historical vestige, which offers time travel through different eras beyond their main functionality of gambling haven, is the riverboats. Sure, they have been recently allowed to function on land as well, seeing how they were long-time harboured. But some, such as the ones in Shreveport or Lake Charles, although with large properties surrounding them, still capitalize on their link with the romantic age of true riverboat gambling. After all, many tourists come here, especially for this type of experience.

Lottery

Even the lottery has had a troubling rollercoaster-like ride, like all the other Louisianna gambling aspects. It has been set up in the mid-1800s, closed on corruption allegations and moved to Honduras in 1893, where it continued to sell tickets to US citizens. It came back stateside at the beginning of the 1990s, as instant scratch tickets and also lotto draws. Afterwards, Louisiana joined the Powerball, and now it has become one of the biggest contributors to the state’s budget. For example, more than 2 billion USD went in a fund for repairing Katrina’s damage.

Racetracks

Of all the gambling places in Louisiana, there’s no way that anyone can miss the racetracks. The greyhound races are forbidden in LA, but the horse races are among the most famous in the whole country. Take Evangeline Downs, for example, the race with the highest number of horses in a race, in the whole country. Or the Fair Grounds course which is a known precursor preparation race for the Kentucky Derby. If the thrill of participating live isn’t possible, there are some off-track betting parlours spread across the state.

You Might Also be Interested in:

Texas online casinos
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Is gambling legal in Louisiana?

Yes, fortunately for state’s residents, as well as those many are coming from neighbouring states to gamble in Louisiana. Of course that a great piece of this success is due to Louisiana gambling laws, which have allowed for a wide variety of options in this area, within state borders: casinos, racetracks, lottery, charitable gaming, to name a few.

Are there casinos in Louisiana?

Louisiana holds a complete array of casino versions, with numerous commercial and also tribal casinos. The salt and pepper, however, the gambling New Orleans casinos, former riverboats, still hold the atmosphere of the romantic age they were at their peak. Long story short, for any casino enthusiast, there is a perfect choice, the only limit is about respecting the Louisiana gambling age. On the subject of online casinos, there is not that much to be said, except the laws are clear in this matter and ban it.

What is the legal gambling age in Louisiana?

The gambling age in Louisiana depends on the type of games that are to be played: bingo, lotto tickets and horse race betting are allowed since 18 years old, while setting foot in a casino of any sort can be done after the threshold of 21 years.

Is online gambling Louisiana legal?

This is one of the states that has made it perfectly clear that any sort of gambling made using a computer, online wagering is the definition of that, is banned. This means that online slots for real money is not a valid option unless the player takes the risk upon himself. There are operators who offer for residents in Louisiana online casino where games can be played. They consider that the state has no necessary means to control, in order to inflict punishment, every household in the state. Up to now, no arrest has been made for using online casinos, and it hardly seems likely that any will be made.
However, it should be stated again that playing on these websites implies taking a risk. A way to diminish the risks taken would be to join only trustworthy sites. Check the reviews other previous players give, repetitive foul play always tends to show itself. Also, verify the online casino you’re willing to play, on the lists of reviewed websites, to find an unbiased opinion about some of its most important aspects.

Any future developments in this area?

There aren’t any new casinos in Louisiana anytime soon, but the end of 2018 brought some new regulations in this field. These latest modifications are allowing an increase in the numbers of slot machines supplied by the actual casinos. Surely, each must put out a request to the gaming authority and await confirmation, but it is progress nevertheless.
Also, another piece of interesting information: since 2018, the riverboats have been allowed to move onshore, thus creating the prospects for the larger casino resort, with more gaming space and options. Also, some expectations on legalizing sports betting are rumored, but nothing concrete just yet. The online part of the phenomenon is still left in the dark with the same explicit ban hanging overhead and not a chance of coming into the spotlight in the immediate future.

Introduction to Louisiana Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Louisiana slot machine casino gambling consists of 24 casinos including 16 commercial casinos, four tribal casinos, four pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines, and numerous small businesses across Louisiana.

Theoretical payout limits exist and monthly return statistics are available for non-tribal sites.

This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Louisiana*

The minimum legal gambling age in Louisiana depends upon the gambling activity:

• Land-Based Casinos: 21
• Poker Rooms: 21
• Bingo: 18
• Lottery: 21
• Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

Louisiana has had a long history of illegal casinos, with the state alternating between raiding illegal casino operations and ignoring them. Eventually, pari-mutuel wagering received state-approval in the 1920s. The collapse of the state’s oil-based industry in the 1980s led to the extended presence of legalized gambling.

Louisiana was the fourth U.S. state to legalize riverboat casinos, approved by the state in 1991 along with the return of the state lottery. In 1992, an added provision allowed a land-based casino in New Orleans.

Negotiations began in 1993 for state-tribal compacts with Louisiana’s three federally-recognized American Indian tribes. A fourth American Indian tribe, federally-recognized in 2002, also negotiated a state-tribal compact. Each tribe opened their own tribal casino.

In 1997, efforts by the three pari-mutuel racetracks to add slot machines to their facilities were successful. Later, a fourth track received similar approval.

The gaming industry has become an important part of Louisiana’s culture and economy. Video bingo is the primary type of electronic gaming machine available.

However, the wording used in some parts of the state gaming regulations is ambiguous. For example, a loose definition for “truck stops” has allowed the addition and spread of video poker machines at many businesses across the state.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Louisiana

In Louisiana, it is legal to own a slot machine privately if it is 25 years old or older.

Gaming Control Board in Louisiana

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates the gaming industry in Louisiana. The LGCB works closely with the Gaming Enforcement Division within the Louisiana State Police.

Casinos in Louisiana

There are 20 non-tribal casinos, four American Indian tribal casinos, four pari-mutuel racetracks, and 12,903 video poker machines at 1,634 retail businesses in Louisiana.

The largest casino in Louisiana is Coushatta Casino Resort with 2,800 gaming machines and 70 table games.

The second-largest casino is Paragon Casino Resort with 2,200 gaming machines and 44 table games.

Commercial Casinos in Louisiana

The 20 commercial casinos in Louisiana including 15 riverboat casinos, four pari-mutuel sites with slot machines, and one land-based casino:

1. Amelia Belle Casino in Amelia located 79 miles west of New Orleans.
2. Belle of Baton Rouge Casino Hotel in Baton Rouge located 81 miles northwest of New Orleans.
3. Boomtown Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, MS.
4. Boomtown New Orleans in Harvey located 11 miles south of New Orleans.
5. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel in Vinton located 140 miles northeast of Galveston, TX.
6. DiamondJacks Casino Hotel Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, MS.
7. Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport located 217 miles west of Jackson, MS.
8. Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel in Opelousas located 137 miles northwest of New Orleans.
9. Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots in New Orleans.
10. Golden Nugget Lake Charles located 162 miles northeast of Galveston, Texas.
11. Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City located 210 miles west of Jackson, Mississippi.
12. Harrah’s New Orleans Casino & Hotel.
13. Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge located 83 miles northwest of New Orleans.
14. Horseshoe Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, MS.
15. Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lake Charles located 163 miles northeast of Galveston, Texas.
16. L’auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge located 75 miles northwest of New Orleans.
17. L’auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles located 163 miles northeast of Galveston, Texas.
18. Margaritaville Resort Casino Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, Mississippi.
19. Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino Shreveport located 216 miles west of Jackson, Mississippi.
20. Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner located 15 miles northwest of New Orleans.

Tribal Casinos in Louisiana

There are four tribal casinos in Louisiana:

1. Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder located 199 miles west of New Orleans.
2. Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel in Charenton located 117 miles west of New Orleans.
3. Jena Choctaw Pines Casino in Dry Prong located 201 miles northwest of New Orleans.
4. Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville located 163 miles northwest of New Orleans.

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Louisiana slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Louisiana is:

Best Louisiana Casinos

1. North: Arkansas Slots
2. East: Mississippi Slots
3. South: Gulf of Mexico
4. West: Texas Slots

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Louisiana.

Casinos Open In Louisiana

Our Louisiana Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Louisiana? If so, join our new Louisiana slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Louisiana. Join us!

Payout Returns in Louisiana

Theoretical payout limits are:

• 80% to 99.9% at non-tribal casinos.
• 80% to 94% for video poker machines at retail locations.
• Not available for tribal casinos.

Monthly return statistics are within Louisiana’s Gaming Enforcement Division Gaming Board’s Revenue Reports. Further, these reports offer return statistics for each slot machine denomination.

However, statistics are reported for non-tribal casinos statewide as well as within only four state regions with casinos sorted by region as follows:

• Baton Rouge Region: Belle of Baton Rouge, Evangeline Downs, Hollywood, and L’auberge Baton Rouge.
• Lake Charles Region: Delta Downs, Golden Nugget, Isle of Capri, and L’Auberge Lake Charles.
• New Orleans Region: Amelia Belle, Boomtown New Orleans, Fair Grounds, Harrah’s, and Treasure Chest.
• Shreveport/Bossier Region: Boomtown Bossier, DiamondJacks, Eldorado, Harrah’s LA Downs, Horseshoe, Margaritaville, and Sam’s Town.

The October 2019 report shows a state-wide return of 90.3% for all commercial casinos. Each region had the following player’s win percentages:

• Baton Rouge Region: 90.2%
• Lake Charles Region: 90.6%
• New Orleans Region: 90.1%
• Shreveport/Bossier Region: 90.3%
• State-wide: 90.3%

The slot machine denomination with the highest and second-highest win percentages for each region were:

• Baton Rouge Region: 50-cent at 97.9% and $2 at 92.6%.
• Lake Charles Region: $100 at 95.1% and both 5-cent and $10 at 93.1%.
• New Orleans Region: $500 at 120.8%, $50 at 101.6%, and 5-cent at 93.8%.
• Shreveport/Bossier Region: $25 at 93.2% and 2-cent at 92.89%.
• State-wide: $500 at 120.8% and 50-cent at 92.9%.

These reports helpfully include the number of slot machines with each denomination. For instance, there are only eight $2-denomination machines in the Baton Rouge Region where their average player win% is the second-highest for that region. So few $2 slot machines improves the likelihood of locating and playing these high-odds machines.

Less helpful are the limited monthly return statistics available from the Louisiana Gaming Board’s Revenue Reports separated by casino type. Unfortunately, these return statistics reports have insufficient information to calculate player’s win percentages:

Summary of Louisiana Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

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.

Minimum and maximum theoretical payout limits exist for the non-tribal gaming locations. Return statistics exist for commercial casinos in four state regions, including for each slot machine denomination. Louisiana’s tribal casinos do not have theoretical payout limits nor do they offer return statistics.

Annual Progress in Louisiana Slot Machine Casino Gambling

In the last year, Harrah’s New Orleans went from second-largest casino to seventh place when they more than halved their slot machines from 3,800 to 1,500.

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By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC