Louisiana Casino Age Limit

• (AZ) Arizona Gambling
• Louisiana Gambling And Lotteries Laws
• (AR) Arkansas Gambling
• Louisiana Casinos Age Limit
• (CA) California Gambling

Louisiana Open Carry: Gun Laws, Rules, Requirements & Training Louisiana allows the use of firearms in the state, and issues permit for concealed carry. But there are also gun statues that control the open carry of firearms in the state. Since the state does not have preemption gun laws yet, you must be familiar with Louisiana Open Carry Read More ». For many Americans, the legal gambling age is similar to the legal drinking age—21 years. This limit applies to both Americans and foreigners that visit land-based casinos in the country. So, just because you can gamble at 18 years in the UK doesn’t mean you’ll be given entry in Las Vegas casinos.

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.

Keep Reading … or Watch Instead!

Or … Listen Instead!

Subscribe to my Professor Slots podcast at Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Amazon Audible Gaana Stitcher Pandora iHeart Radio Tune-In SoundCloud RadioPublic Deezer RSS and everywhere else you find your podcasts!

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.

(AZ) Arizona Gambling

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:

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.

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.

Related Articles from Professor Slots

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

• Previous: Kentucky Slot Machine Casino Gambling
• Next: Maine Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC

• Year Louisiana Regulated Gambling: Lottery (1868-1893, 1990-present), Racing (1852-1868, 1971-present), Bingo (1987), Casinos (1991), Truck Stop/Tavern Video Poker (1991)
• Estimated Tax Revenue from Gambling: $670 million
• Estimated Gambling Revenue: $2.9 billion
• Louisiana Gambling Age: 18 for racing and charitable gambling, 21 for lotteries and casinos
• Smoking ban: Louisiana permits smoking in casinos. New Orleans bans smoking at Harrah’s through city ordinance.
• Louisiana Online gambling: Horse racing

Louisiana gambling has the deepest roots of any other state in the South. It was home to the first racing industry in the region. It also hosted the most infamous lottery racket in history.

Modern day Louisiana gambling is still among the most friendly in the South. It hosts a lottery, horse racing, off-track betting, charitable gaming and full-scale Louisiana casinos. About half of the parishes legalized video poker at bars, taverns and truck stops. These types of sin have become a part of the state’s history.

With a total of 21 Louisiana casinos, six of them being Native American casinos, there are plenty of locations to choose from. Depending on your location, you can check the Louisiana casinos map and find the nearest one.

Paying Gambling Taxes in Louisiana

Did you know that your gambling income is taxable? OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings straight from a Certified Public Accountant. For more information please visit our exclusive Gambling Taxes article.

November 2018 Update

After the midterm elections, Daily Fantasy Sports will be a reality in the state. Residents decided to approve an initiative to allow the contests. Out of the 64 parishes in the state, 47 were in favor of legalizing daily fantasy sports. Those who voted in approval will be able to offer the option.

Due to the state constitution prohibiting gambling, legislation implementing the initiative will state that participation in a fantasy sports contest will not be considered gambling.

Louisiana Casinos Map & Guide

• Harrah’s
• Golden Nugget
• Boomtown
• Horseshoe Casino
• Paragon Casino

• Number of B&M Casinos: 21
• Number of Poker Rooms: 13
• Number of Indian Casinos: 6

Louisiana Gambling And Lotteries Laws

Best Real Money Online Casinos for Players in Louisiana

• • Huge Welcome Bonus Package
  • Visa and MasterCard Payment Options Available for US Players
  • Over 150 Real Money Online Slot Games

  Compatible with:

  • windows
  • apple
  • android
  • mobile
• • Safe and Reputable Casino, Mobile Friendly
  • Easy Credit Card Deposits for US Players
  • Impressive Welcome Bonuses up to 260% match

  Compatible with:

  • windows
  • apple
  • android
  • mobile
• • Quick USA Payouts, Credit Cards Accepted
  • Great Selection of Slots & Table Games
  • Legit & Reputable Mobile Friendly Casino

  Compatible with:

  • windows
  • apple
  • android
  • mobile
• • Uses the Microgaming Software
  • Fast Cashouts in Just 1-7 Days
  • Online, Mobile, Instant & Live Play

  Deposit Options include:

  • visa
  • mastercard
  • paypal
  • neteller

  100% up to €1,000
• • Big Jackpots and Massive Deposit Bonuses
  • Over 400 Online Casino Games
  • Play Live Dealer Games

  Deposit Options include:

  • visa
  • mastercard
  • paypal
  • bitcoin

  100% up to €1,600
• • Large Australian Bitcoin-Friendly Casino
  • Mobile, Flash, and Download Play Options
  • Fastest Payouts

  Deposit Options include:

  • visa
  • mastercard
  • paypal
  • neteller
• • Safe and Trustworthy Australian Casino
  • Multiple Daily Deposit Deals
  • 100s of Pokies, Slots, and Table Games

  Compatible with:

  • windows
  • apple
  • android
  • mobile

Types of Louisiana Online Gambling Allowed

The only form of legal Louisiana online gambling is off-track betting. Horses are the only types of races permitted.

Daily fantasy sports are illegal in Louisiana. The state forbids games of any chance, as well as all forms of online gambling not specifically legalized by statute. Louisiana takes a hard line against illegal online gambling operators. Most offshore poker, casino, and sports betting sites do not even attempt to take action from Louisianans.

Types of Live Louisiana Gambling

• Slots: Yes
• Blackjack: Yes
• Poker: Yes
• Craps/Roulette: Yes
• Horses: Yes
• Lottery: Yes

There are many forms of live gambling in Louisiana. No other state in the South compares to it.

Horseracing is one of the original forms of gambling in Louisiana. There are several tracks in the state that offer live and simulcast racing. There is a state lottery that sells scratch-off and lotto tickets.

Charities are permitted to sell bingo cards, raffle tickets, and pools that involve games of chance. These must be operated by nonprofit organizations that register with the state.

There are plenty of legal Louisiana casinos that offer all of the popular games. There are three types of casinos in Louisiana. There are riverboat casinos, which comprises all but one commercial Louisiana casino. Harrah’s New Orleans has a special arrangement that allows it to be on land. That is because it guarantees a minimum number of jobs. There are also Native American Louisiana casinos located on reservation land.

The most unusual form of live gambling in Louisiana is video poker. It is not legal everywhere. Local jurisdictions decide whether video poker should be permitted through referendums. As of February 2016, 31 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes legalized video poker in one form or another. Some allow it in taverns while others expand that right to racetracks and/or truck stops.

Louisiana Gambling Laws

There is unusual minimum gambling ages in Louisiana. Minimum Louisiana gambling age for Bingo and racing players is 18 years to get into action. The state lottery requires players to be at least 21 years old. Louisiana casinos and convenience-style video poker also have a minimum gambling age of 21 years.

Louisiana gambling laws specifically prohibit all forms of internet gambling. Online gamblers face a fine of up to $500 for participating. Louisiana is one of just two states with explicit penalties for players. While gambling online is a misdemeanor, site operators of unlicensed poker, casino, and sports betting sites face felonies if convicted of the crime.

Louisiana casinos are required to be located on bodies of water. There are currently 15 Louisiana casino licenses for commercial operations. Five casinos in Shreveport. Four casinos in Lake Charles. There are three casinos in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Harrah’s New Orleans is the exception to this rule. In exchange for this monopoly, Harrah’s must employ at least 2,400 people. These positions are not required to be full time. Harrah’s was required to pay a $100 million annual tax payment to the state. That was later lowered to $60 million.

The original agreement with the state did not permit Harrah’s to have a hotel. This was repealed in 2001. Harrah’s was also permitted to open a full-service restaurant at that time. These conditions were originally placed on the casino to prevent it from taking business away from other businesses in downtown New Orleans.

There are 31 parishes that permit video poker. Each local jurisdiction has the right to determine where these devices may be hosted or whether the games are outright illegal. The tax rate is 26% for games located in bars and restaurants. Racetracks get a discounted 22.5% tax rate. Truck stops must pay 32.5% in taxes. Local governments receive 20% of the taxes collected. Other funds go towards local law enforcement, problem gambling, and horsemen. Two-thirds of the taxes collected go to the general fund of the state.

List of Louisiana Casinos

There are four racetracks and 28 Louisiana casinos that currently operate within the state. There are 31 parishes where video poker is available in some capacity. There is also a state lottery and a wide range of charitable organizations that spread games of chance.

You can find all Louisiana casinos below, with details on their location, size, and website. For more detailed information on locating them, you can use our Louisiana casinos map to help guide you to the closest one.

• Louisiana Downs – Bossier City
• Evangeline Downs – Opelousas

• Delta Downs – Vinton
• Fairgrounds Race Course – New Orleans

History of Louisiana Gambling

The first form of organized gambling in Louisiana was a government-run casino in 1753. There were more places to gamble in Louisiana than nearly any other city in the early 1800’s. The federal government had enough of the rampant gambling in the territory and banned casinos in 1812. The law exempted New Orleans. The legality of casinos bounced back and forth until 1866.

The first version of the Louisiana Lotterystarted in 1866. The state outlawed all other forms of gambling at that time. A private company operated the lottery. It paid the state $40,000 a year. This early form of the Louisiana Lottery accepted action across state lines. It held a near-100% market share in the country. Tickets and transactions were handled by mail. This was legal at the time but Congress deemed it unlawful on 1890. The lottery became so despised that the state legislature repealed it in 1893.

Horseracing was legalized in 1929. The first track was at the New Orleans Fair Grounds. It was the only place in the state where gambling was regulated at the time. A state lottery was created in 1991 through a constitutional referendum.

Casinos in Louisiana were legalized the same year as the lottery. Fifteen casino licenses were created where all but one, are required to be located on bodies of water. The other is in downtown New Orleans. Harrah’s New Orleans agreed to several restrictions to bypass the water-based requirement. It must employ 2,400 people. It was not permitted a hotel in its early years. This Louisiana casino had trouble reopening after the destruction of New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina. The casino was not damaged as it is built several feet above the streets and in an area not flooded due to its elevation. It was difficult to find the required number of employees.

Harrah’s New Orleans has another issue affecting its operation these days. The New Orleans City Council banned smoking at Harrah’s in 2015. This did not affect the other casinos in the metro area. Harrah’s saw an immediate drop in business of 20-25%.

Four Native American tribes negotiated gaming pacts with the state under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. There are six Native American casinos in Louisiana located on reservation lands.

Video poker started to appear in truck stops and bars in the 1980’s. The games were a problem and the state decided to legalize them in 1991 to generate tax revenue. This was met with opposition from conservative groups. The state permitted each parish to determine the legality of video poker in 1996. Voters approved video poker in 31 of the 66 parishes.

Louisiana Casinos & Gambling FAQ

Yes, there are currently 21 casinos in Louisiana.

The minimum Louisiana gambling age is 18 years for racing and charitable gambling, and 21 years for lotteries and casinos.

Slots, video poker, live poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Pai Gow Poker and baccarat are among the casino games available in the state.

No. There is one land-based casino in New Orleans and six reservation casinos.

Harrah’s agreed to keep 2,400 employees on the payroll in exchange for dropping the requirement of being on the Mississippi River. It also pays a $60 million per year licensing tax that does not apply to other casinos.

There is no statewide smoking ban in Louisiana. New Orleans passed a city ordinance banning smoking in all indoor areas, including casinos. Harrah’s is the only casino in the city limits.

(AR) Arkansas Gambling

Yes. It sells scratch-off and lotto tickets.

Yes. This includes live races, race books, and mobile betting.

State law expressly forbids online gambling. State residents can be fined up to $500, although no player has ever been convicted. Off-track racing is exempted.

Louisiana Casinos Age Limit

(CA) California Gambling

Daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel are illegal in the state.