The Draft Room, the first legal sportsbook in Louisiana, opened October 6 at Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, operated by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, in partnership with BetFred Sports.
It’s the largest gambling expansion in the state in three decades, officials said, since the legislature established the lottery, casinos and video poker in the early 1990s.
The Las Vegas-style sportsbook features theater seating, a custom video wall, betting counters and kiosks, with 112 TVs surrounded by table and bar seating, plus three VIP fan caves for private gatherings.
Paragon Casino General Manager Marshall Sampson Sr. said, “Our sports bar that connects with the Draft Room has been open since April, and our guests have been calling every day to ask when the sportsbook is opening. There’s been a high level of excitement and anticipation associated with this milestone.” Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser said adding sports wagering at Paragon and other casinos “will be a great tourism draw for Louisiana and put us on equal footing with Mississippi.”
Betfred Group Chief Operating Officer Mark Stebbings added, “Louisiana is an exciting opportunity for Betfred Sports to continue its expansion in the U.S. after successful launches in Iowa, Colorado and Pennsylvania. We look forward to utilizing our 50 years of bookmaking experience with our fantastic partner, Paragon Casino Resort, to bring the best sports betting experience to bettors in the state.”
Marshall Pierite noted, “As a native Louisianan and chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, I am thrilled to help usher in sports betting to our state. This partnership with Betfred Sports promises continued success for Paragon as we continue our mission to provide a first-class gaming destination and vacation experience to our neighbors and guests coming to Central Louisiana.”
Louisiana Gaming Commission Chair Ronnie Johns said more sportsbooks are expected to follow Paragon’s lead. “They’re getting close, but I think it’s going to be another couple of weeks. I’ve never seen such interest in something than I’ve seen in sports betting.”
Currently, gamblers at Paragon’s sportsbook and others opening soon only may place sports wagers in person. Johns said it may be several months before mobile sports betting comes online. “Mobile takes longer because the casinos use outside vendors to do that work, and those vendors haven’t been licensed yet, so they have to go through the suitability process and background checks with the State Police. We’re hoping to have some of those approved in a 60-day window.”
Sports betting became legal in Louisiana in 2020 when the state legislature and Governor John Bel Edwards approved it and voters in 55 of 64 Louisiana parishes passed referendums allowing it. Lawmakers finalized regulations and taxation in 2021.
The state will grant 20 sports betting licenses, one each for the state’s 15 riverboat casinos, four racinos and Harrah’s New Orleans, the only land-based casino. Each license also will include two mobile licenses, for up to 41 skins; the one additional skin would go to the Louisiana Lottery Corp. Each facility awarded a sports betting license will be required to build a retail sportsbook.
In addition, facilities with Class-A onsite consumption liquor licenses can receive a mobile wagering kiosk, regulated by the Louisiana Lottery Corp.
