In Louisiana, 13 of the 20 state licensed riverboats, racinos and Harrah’s land-based casino have applied for sports betting licenses. The remaining seven properties are expected to apply for a license before January 1, said
Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns.
“I understand the public wants this very badly, and we’re working overtime,” Johns said. “But we’ve got to dot our i’s and cross our t’s. Our goal was to have sports betting up and running by the first of the year. We’re ahead in the ball game.”
As a result, several sportsbooks could open by November 1, Johns said. He noted at Harrah’s New Orleans, the former Acme Oyster House restaurant, which didn’t reopen after the casino closed due to Covid-19, will become a temporary a 75-seat sportsbook.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville has been taking sports bets since October 6. The property is not regulated by the state but the tribe’s gaming compact allows it to offer casino games approved by state voters.
At first, only on-site sports betting will be allowed. Johns said mobile betting still is “a couple of months away” because of the extensive compliance process. Johns said the State Police have investigated all of the state-licensed casinos, but website and app vendors still need to be fully reviewed. Also, the State Police need to ensure that people who live in parishes that didn’t approve sports betting cannot place bets on their smartphones or computers.
Hurricane Ida, which hit in August, has caused delays of about two weeks. But all of the Louisiana State Police’s Gaming Enforcement Division personnel who helped with storm rescue and recovery have been redeployed to the sports betting review and approval process.
