Summary: Among all fifty states, Louisiana is one of the most liberal in terms of available gambling offerings. The only forms of gambling already found in many other states, but not yet legalized and regulated in Louisiana, are online gambling and sports betting. Although a related bill is already under consideration, and we expect it to pass within 1-2 years.
Among all fifty states, Louisiana is one of the least strict in terms of gambling, including traditional casinos, despite its generally conservative practices. The following types of gambling are legally available in the state :
- Charity
- Sweepstakes
- Lottery
- Commercial casinos
- Tribal casinos
- Hippodromes
With respect to charitable gambling, the state issues licenses to operators interested in such activities and imposes fees for certain types of gambling (e.g., a 3% fee on the proceeds of gambling pull-tabs). Other gambling games, such as bingo, do not impose any fees other than the licensing fee.
Louisiana has a number of racetracks that host live races and competitions at certain times of the year. Over the past few years, all of these racetracks have been transformed into a kind of casino or racino with slot machines and/or table games. Conducting live dog racing in the state is prohibited.
Louisiana State Lottery sales are not as successful as in other states. However, these numbers have a lot to do with how thriving the casino industry is in the state. Most states (such as Louisiana) understand that having many forms of gambling is actually a source of maximum possible revenue for the state. To some extent, though, they also lead to a decline in lottery sales.
The legality of online gambling in Louisiana
As we said earlier, Louisiana is one of the few states in the U.S. where online gambling is (at least for now) explicitly declared illegal, and there are specific penalties for violators. Some (myself included) feel that such wording is more just protectionism toward land-based methods of gambling or those who offer the lottery, rather than a demonstration of a strong moral stance. When we talk about a state like Utah, the moral issue for conservative Mormon citizens is certainly acute here. But in the case of a state like Louisiana, which is otherwise quite liberal in terms of gambling, it smacks rather of protectionism.
So there are a number of lawmakers who are willing to push bills aimed at legalizing online gambling. They have made it clear that this will be done along the lines of those states that already have this law in place. In other words, it is very likely that in order to offer online gambling, operators would need to be tied to a traditional casino, racetrack or casino-cruise in the state.
As a practical matter, it is extremely unlikely that anyone would ever be prosecuted for online gambling as a mere player, and we have been unable to find any such precedent. Let’s start with, how do they even know you’re doing this?
Traditional casinos in Louisiana (as well as Hippodromes and Cruises!)
Louisiana has as many casinos as any other state (except Nevada), but most are small. State laws allow various establishments to have up to 50 slot machines, so many of the casinos listed on this page are really just a bar or diner with 50 slot machines. Smaller establishments usually do not offer traditional slot machines. The machines are poker-based. You can play regular slot machines in large casinos.
Speaking of traditional casinos in Louisiana, we have to mention local racetracks and river cruises, since technically only Harrah’s New Orleans can be considered as such. The so-called “Riverboats” (riverboat casino cruises) came about because of a long-standing law that mandated that gambling could not take place on Louisiana state land (similar to laws that existed in Missouri or Illinois). But the law has since changed in the “pelican” state.
Functionally, these river cruises and racetracks are no different than land-based casinos, especially with electronic gaming devices.
Harrah’s New Orleans
First and foremost, it would make sense to discuss the state’s largest casino and technically the only land-based casino. This casino alone accounts for more than 10 percent of all gaming revenue, which is equal to the revenue of all casino cruises combined. For example, in February 2019 alone, Harrah’s generated revenues of about 22.4 million, compared to casino-cruises revenues of 149.8 million. That’s a modest 15%.
In terms of gaming space, Harrah’s New Orleans has a whopping 115,000 square feet. For those of you familiar with Las Vegas establishments, that compares to the scale of Luxor Casino, which is 120,000 square feet. For fans of Atlantic City, let me tell you that Harrah’s New Orleans is 15,000 square feet larger than the Atlantic City establishments.
According to the website, Harrah’s New Orleans can offer more than 1,500 slot machines as well as 224 video poker machines. Their accuracy is amazing! Most sites would write simply “over 200.” Having personally been to Harrah’s New Orleans, I can say with absolute certainty that this number includes machines with games of a non-gambling nature.
The establishment has recently banned smoking, but there are courtyards for smokers (three, to be exact), offering more than 200 different slot machines and video poker machines.
The casino offers a standard set of table games for its scale, including : Midi Baccarat, Mini Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Four Card Poker, Let it Ride, Fortune Pai-Gow Poker, High Card Flush, Big Six and Criss-Cross Poker. There is also a live poker room with twenty tables for Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud.
Boomtown Bossier
Boomtown Bossier City- This is the first casino on a river cruise ship that we will discuss. It is located in (you guessed it) Bossier City, Louisiana and was formerly known as Casino Magic Bossier City. The establishment is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by Penn National Gaming (as is the case with several other casinos around the country, including The Meadows in Pennsylvania). This hotel and river cruise offers about 200 rooms and 37,000 square feet of gaming space.
It may not seem like much, but keep in mind that most of these riverboats have been in operation for decades. They were purposely built compact so that several vessels could be in the water area at the same time. Again, only Harrah’s New Orleans is considered a full land-based casino. Boomtown Bossier is considered standard size by river cruise standards.
This casino has slot machines and video poker machines, though the site does not specify how many. The site also offers “Exciting table games,” but again it doesn’t specify how many or which ones. Frankly, it’s a pretty weak site for such a big casino company.
Louisiana has as many casinos as any other state (except Nevada), but most are small. State laws allow various establishments to have up to 50 slot machines, so many of the casinos listed on this page are really just a bar or diner with 50 slot machines. Smaller establishments usually do not offer traditional slot machines. The machines are poker-based. You can play regular slot machines in large casinos.
Speaking of traditional casinos in Louisiana, we have to mention local racetracks and river cruises, since technically only Harrah’s New Orleans can be considered as such. The so-called “Riverboats” (riverboat casino cruises) came about because of a long-standing law that mandated that gambling could not take place on Louisiana state land (similar to laws that existed in Missouri or Illinois). But the law has since changed in the “pelican” state.
Functionally, these river cruises and racetracks are no different than land-based casinos, especially with electronic gaming devices.
Amelia Belle
Amelia Belle Casino is based in Amelia, a small town of the same name, and is one of the last of Louisiana’s casino cruises in terms of revenue and size. It’s more of a local institution, though it’s owned and operated by the Boyd Gaming group and, as a result, is part of their BConnected bonus program.
There are over 800 different slot machines – video poker, slots and video keno – as well as a total of fifteen table games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, three card poker, Mississippi Stud and Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em. Given the fact that this is a small establishment, it’s probably a good idea to call ahead and see if the game you’re interested in will be open during your scheduled visit.
There are only two eateries, including the Cajun Buffet, and the casual Bayou Cafe.
Tribal Casinos
We come to tribal casinos that don’t seem to be required to report their income to the state of Louisiana. So it’s hard to line them up in any order, it would only be guesswork.
Coushatta Casino Resort
Coushatta Casino Resort is located on the Coushatta Reservation and offers an adults-only (21+) Grand Hotel. But don’t worry for those traveling with children either, as the casino website lists a number of other hotels that are also on the reservation. But only the Grand Hotel has direct access to the casino.
In all, the casino has more than 1,600 slot machines, including slots and video poker machines. In addition, a number of table games are offered, including blackjack, craps, roulette, mini baccarat, Bonus Let It Ride, Pai-Gow poker, Mississippi Stud, Flop poker, three-card poker and four-card poker. As always, if you’re interested in a rarer game, we recommend checking its hours in advance. There is also a poker room that plays Texas Hold ‘Em and Omaha, although the site does not specify the number of tables.
Broadcast betting is available at Oyster and Sports Bar, and it is one of the few casinos in the state that offers live bingo. This establishment offers a loyalty program for Advantage Club players.