Louisiana Gambling Laws – Laws of the Pelican State

In our Louisiana gambling laws article, you can read a brief history of Louisiana gambling and the present-day legislation that regulates this state’s casinos. We have also prepared lists of the top Louisiana casinos and games you can legally try there. Read until the end, and you will learn how the Pelican State deals with problem gambling.

The gambling laws in Louisiana cover the entire range of topics, rules, and requirements related to gambling games and locations. This article can find the federal and state laws regulating casinos and legal games in Louisiana. There is also information about the regulating organs, and even what punishments are prepared for the violators.

In the dedicated sections of our article, you can find information about the legal gambling age and taxes you should pay if you win at a Louisiana casino. Before all this, we will share a few words about Louisiana’s gambling history. You are welcome to read from the start or use the box below to jump through the paragraphs.

Louisiana Gambling History

Legal gambling has always drawn crowds to one place or another. In Louisiana, USA, the first legal gambling locations were opened back in the colonization days. In the 1700s, the French Louisianans had already built billiard halls and cabarets in New Orleans. By the end of the century, the status of the gambling locations changed with every new government.

Louisiana gambling laws history shows that gambling regulations became stable after the end of the Civil War (1861-1865). The Louisiana lottery was created in 1866, while the first legal horse races were held in the 1920s at the New Orleans Fair Grounds. After 1990 the first legal land-based casinos appeared. Since then, the list of legal gambling games has grown, and the industry aims to expand even towards online gambling.

US Federal Gambling Laws

You may not know, but all sorts of gambling in the US are legally restricted, and the legal locations are closely monitored by the authorities. Just like in every other state, the federal gambling laws in the USA have supremacy over the gambling laws in Louisiana state.

The legislation’s specifics in the US allow each state to decide which games are legal and set specific terms regarding the gambling locations. The main laws applicable to all states are:

The main gambling authority in the USA is the American Gaming Association (AGA), supported by the establishments of the federal government. The AGA deals with inquiries and issues in all states. In the case of illegal gambling activities on the highest level, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) performed the inspections and investigations. In cases when a gambling court dispute can’t be settled on a state level, it reaches the highest judicial level – the Federal Supreme Court.

With every year there are more and more casinos built on tribal land and operated by Native Tribes. Since the tribal territory is considered a sovereign, the federal laws are considered guidelines, but not completely applicable. The Native American tribes’ individual development led to creating the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Those two institutions ease the work of all gambling-related institutions in and outside of the tribal lands.

Louisiana State Gambling Laws & Authorities

The highest authority in the Pelican State is the Louisiana State Senate, but all gambling-related matters are in the hands of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB). The board monitors the proper application of the US gambling laws and the Louisiana gambling laws.

The main Louisiana State gaming laws closely monitored by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) are:

As you can see, there is a special law regulating the riverboats casinos. That is so because the gambling on water has specific terms and needs. There are also specific regulations regarding video poker machines and pari-mutual live racing. Louisiana is one more state that is yet to determine the future of online gambling, and that is why there is still no information about this law.

According to the definition of the LGCB’s functions, “the board shall regulate all gaming activities and operations in the state as more specifically provided in this Louisiana Gaming Control Act and other applicable laws”. This gives an incredible amount of work and responsibilities to the board’s chairman, members, and staff. Despite that, they are constantly making progress in every aspect of gambling and casino matters.

The larger portion of the laws is directed to setting borders and guidelines related to the games, casino work, and the owners of gambling locations. The players’ main rules are not to cheat, pay their winner’s tax, and follow the Louisiana gambling age restrictions. The US legal gambling age is different for every state. In the state of Louisiana, you can play the lottery at the age of 18, but you have to be at least 21-years old to play at a casino or on a video poker machine.

Louisiana’s Winners Tax

Gambling is a profitable business, especially if it is done the right way. That is why every state in the USA has a levy or a tax collected from the gambling locations. If not all of it, a substantial portion of this money goes to community or charity projects to help the locals. The establishments awarded a one-time gambling award of at least $600 are required to report to the IRS and Louisiana Department of Revenue.

Like the casinos, the players also have to report their prizes and wins. This Louisiana gambling law applies equally for people who have won $600 or are currently part of the ranking of the richest gamblers in the world. There is good news for out-of-state players – they can request a federal individual income tax return and if the amount is overpaid, they will receive a refund of the difference.

Louisiana Gambling Violations & Penalties

The gambling laws in Louisiana cover violations committed by players and casinos. Check the state laws, and you will learn what is considered a crime, and how it is punished. In short, the casino violations may include the use of a counterfeit or unlawful wagering instrument or games, operating an unlicensed gambling location, giving false statements, using unauthorized gambling devices, and more. The casino’s violations might also be towards their employees or government representatives.

The players’ greatest gambling offences are cheating, gambling on a computer or online, taking part in illegal games, not paying their taxes, causing trouble at gambling locations, or causing trouble the government employees or regulations. Gambling in the open may also be considered a crime in certain situations. But if you feel brave enough, or your state allows it, you can always check our best online casino USA guide for 2024.

The legal authorities that investigate and process gambling crimes cases in Louisiana are the Louisiana Supreme Court, the attorney general, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, and the office of state police. Once the issue is reported, the investigators collect evidence and present it to the court. In the trial, the attorney general represents the state of Louisiana.

The penalties for gambling crimes vary depending on the severity of the violation and the violator’s type. For example, if a gambling location is on the wrong side, the State may seize and sell all property connected with illegal gambling. Other penalties include fines, and imprisonment with or without hard labor.

Louisiana’s Legal & Illegal Games

Louisiana gambling laws determine which games are legal, and which are illegal. This applies for all states, and , for example, the Texas gambling laws state that only bingo, raffles, lottery, and charity games are legal. This means that a player from the Lone Star State has to travel to Louisiana to enjoy some good casino experience. The situation is the same in the state of Arkansas.

The players who choose to visit a Louisiana riverboat or land-based casino and race track should know which gambling games and betting are legal. As you can see in the table below, there are more legal gambling options than the illegal ones. Our recommendation is to choose a licensed and legal casino or race track on your gambling trip in Louisiana, USA.

The list of legal games includes gambling in the entre Louisiana state. We remind you that the list of legal games at tribal casinos may differ from the rest of the gambling locations. If you are decide to play at a Native American-owned casino, check the available games and the specific casino regulation.

Since a large part of Louisiana is at the Gulf of Mexico, many commercial cruise ships with casinos visit the state’s ports. If you wonder if you can visit a cruise ship casino while it is on a dock, we will have to disappoint you. Gambling on cruise ships is legal only when they are in international waters (beyond 12 miles offshore).

Best Licensed Louisiana Casinos

The Louisiana gambling laws history begins with a few known land-based casinos and saloons. Many people don’t realize that the main gambling activities were performed on boats in the past. The billiard and card rooms onshore became legal and therefore widely visited after the Civil War. Below, you can find information about the great land-based, Native American, and riverboat casinos you can visit today.

Top Land-Based Louisiana Casinos

Louisiana gambling law allows the existence of incredible casinos and resorts opened for players from near and far. You can find offers of many gambling locations and casinos in the state, but we will give you a list of the top land-based gambling locations in Louisiana:

As you can see, there is a vast selection of casinos, race tracks, and resorts with casinos where you can enjoy your favourite gambling games or try a new game. Each of those locations is known for the hospitality and the excellent level of services. If you choose to visit a resort, you may experience the southern hospitality in the hotel and the dining and drinking establishments.

Louisiana Native American Casinos

Louisiana gambling laws apply partially to the Native American casinos in the US. This may seem like a flaw, but it is an incredible benefit. Every tribal casino has an incredibly unique design, and tribal culture.

Besides this, they are resorts or casino hotels located in picturesque locations you can visit. Some of the top Native American Louisiana casinos are:

You may not know, but the first signed Class III compact in Louisiana was with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe in 1992. In the following years, the Chitimacha and the Coushatta tribes also signed compacts, increasing the number of tribal casinos. Those gambling locations are now preferred by USA players and visitors from all around the world. The tribal casinos are also the first in the United States to offer online casino sites legally.

Louisiana Riverboat Casinos

Most of the riverboat casinos in the USA sail up and down Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri State rivers. One of the most popular stops for them are major cities like New Orleans and St. Louis.

Even though those casinos sail on water, the Louisiana gambling age regulations apply to them. Now, here are our picks of the best Louisiana riverboat casinos:

Many riverboat casinos are independent, and some even have a hotel, a restaurant, and bars. Those boats offer few days of trips up and down the river and extra entertainment for the non-gambling visitors. There are also many casinos on riverboats that are part of a resort entertainment. This type of riverboats may perform a day, overnight, or a few hours trip. Regardless of the duration, you will enjoy incredible hospitality, fine local cuisine, and top gambling entertainment.

Gambling Addiction Help

The Louisiana gambling law has a special part dedicated to problem gambling. If you don’t know what this is, or you are not sure if you are affected, we have an excellent Gamblers Anonymous review that will help you. Louisiana State has the Louisiana Problem Gamblers Help Line you can reach via a toll-free phone: 1-877-770-7867.

You can find information about problem gambling, help, and prevention on the Louisiana Gaming Control Board’s site.

You can also find information about the Louisiana DHH, Office of Behavioral Health and Addictive Disorders Services. There is instruction regarding the voluntary exclusion from gambling and training videos that explain compulsive gambling. Remember that it is never too late to ask for help.

Louisiana Gambling Laws Popular Questions

Our article about the Louisiana gambling laws informed you which are the main legal acts and authorities in this state. This is the place where you will find answers to the most popular questions regarding the gambling laws and casinos in Louisiana state.

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