- Gambling Lake Charles Louisiana
- Best Gambling In Louisiana State
- Riverboat Gambling In Louisiana
- Best Casino In Louisiana To Win
For as far back as the vast cypress swamps that provide the backdrop to Zydeco music, gambling on the bayou has been a way of life for generations of Louisiana residents.
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. Casino Sites – if you are looking for the top-rated casinos in Louisiana, you will need to make sure that you don't look online. There are loads of online gambling sites that payout in Louisiana but you may face a fine for playing at them. Popular Casino Games in Louisiana. ' Horseshoe casino is hands down the best casino in this area And the dare pool takes it over the top Rent a cabana and relax with friends while enjoying the scenery and great Bands. ' We love the buffet, we love going to the diamond lounge and visiting with friends, and the staff are so helpful. Black Gold Casino 1 Casinos. 137 Frontage Rd. 'Loved our visit to the casino.
Louisiana has some of the most exciting gambling laws in the entire United States. You may be planning your bayou vacation, but you need to know the laws for Louisiana gambling before you go.
History of Louisiana Gambling Laws
Louisiana offers one of the wealthiest and most vibrant histories of any state. To begin setting the stage for you, Louisiana had casinos being built before the first churches ever started appearing.
In my experience, Louisianans love to party. So, it won't come as any surprise that the state has a long run in the gambling game. Both legal and otherwise.
Playing the lottery was incredibly popular in the early to mid-1800s, and Louisiana was no exception. Unfortunately, the lotteries were often subject to nefarious dealings and less than desirable characters.
This often led to good people being cheated out of their hard-earned money — money that was no doubt needed to provide food for the family.
So, in the late 1800s, the state followed suit with many other states and banned the lotteries altogether. It wasn't until over a century later when the lotteries you and I are familiar with began to gain traction that the state lifted the curtain on lottery games.
Of course, the state-run games are much more on the up and up than earlier editions. Most of the incidents consisted of someone from out of town collecting the locals' money and drawing for the big prize.
Some fellow out of towner would be the lucky winner and claim the prize more often than not. Must have been some coincidence, wink.
Much like everything else, the laws surrounding horse racing have evolved into a more progressive style. They now stand opposed to the early days where the only form of legal bet you could make on the sport was parlayed.
Louisiana Lottos and Horse Racing Today
The lottery scene in Louisiana today is enormous. In addition to the state-run lottery with drawings multiple times a week, the state also participates in the significant multi-state games.
Powerball and Megamillions each offer Louisiana gamblers the chance to become multi-millionaires overnight.
The Louisiana Lottery also offers scratch-off tickets for real money. These games enable players to become instant winners if luck is on their side.
Louisiana currently has over 40 different scratch-off games in circulation. These games range from a simple $1 ticket all the way up to $10.
Depending on what state you're in, a $10 ceiling may seem pretty low for a scratch-off ticket. However, your state likely doesn't have casino gambling.
You must be at least 21 years old to purchase lottery tickets in Louisiana. The state government decided to bump the age from 18 to 21 in 1998.
This change aligned the lottery's ages to sync with all other forms of gambling in the state. So, to be clear, you must be at least 21 years old to gamble in Louisiana.
Live racing is also alive and thriving in Louisiana. Louisiana Downs is the premier horse racing venue in Louisiana.
Located in Bossier City, near Shreveport's riverboat casinos, Louisiana Downs provides aggressive and electric on-track action from May thru September.
Suppose you are a big fan of horse racing. In that case, Louisiana Downs is a must-see during the spring when the weather is comfortable. The young horses are itching to get out of the gate on all cylinders.
Online Gambling
Real money online gambling has broken from the pack as one of the top methods for gamblers to get in on the action.
After all, the convenience factor alone is stunning. You can literally play any game you may find in the casino from the comfort of your warm bed.
Imagine yourself laying all of the sports bets you could possibly play without so much as putting on your slippers.
Online casinos have made gambling on sports or casino games easier than checking the mail—what a time to be alive.
Or, as my friend would say, 'The future is now.'
That is unless you live in Louisiana.
While many states view online gambling as somewhat of a gray area, Louisiana strictly and definitively prohibits online gambling of any sort.
Gamblers, in many states, use online casinos as an alternative to flying to Las Vegas.
Usually, the law enforcement in their area is more concerned with stopping the casinos from operating than the gamblers from playing.
However, this is far from the case in Louisiana. The first offense can cost up to $500 in fines and another six months in jail. Define rng in gaming.
A second offense bumps the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony. The fines double, and you could face nine months in prison.
Of course, just the threat of a felony charge is more than adequate to keep many would-be internet gambling moguls heading to brick and mortar casinos in the state.
Now that I've scared you straight, I want to point out another equally important bit of information.
Not a single person has ever seen prosecution for participating in online gambling in the state of Louisiana. Maybe the fine people of Louisiana are just such pillars of the community that they follow the letter of the law to a 'T.'
Social Gambling
I'm a huge proponent of social gambling for one straightforward reason. That reason is that I don't believe it'sit's the role of the government or anybody else to tell you what to do in your own home.
Louisiana gets this right.
Mostly. Spanish 21 payouts. The laws do put a few stipulations on the ancillary 'hows,' but for the most part, you are okay to do so.
It may become a problem if the host is charging any kind of cover charge, is making a profit from the event itself, sells food to the guests, or begins handling money.
Avoid these no-nos, and you're free and clear. Of course, if you are busted for stepping out of line, the chances are that you won't be prosecuted.
Casino Gambling
Did you know that Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. where casino gambling is legal statewide?
That's right. Even the juggernaut of the east, Atlantic City, is an outlier for much of New Jersey.
The riverboat casinos of Louisiana are by far the largest and most recognizable of the state's casino industry.
These holdovers from a slower time when people in business would travel up and down the Muddy Mississippi operate under strict parameters.
Sam's Town Hotel and Casino in Shreveport are among the largest of these riverboat casinos. The busy gambling hub is more of a barge than a boat. The great gambler songs.
However, the laws dictate that any riverboat casino in operation must have a functioning means of propulsion. So, the paddle wheel's added feature on the backs of these monstrosities is of absolutely no use whatsoever.
They are, in fact, very serviceable, though.
Shreveport draws enormous numbers from the DFW Metroplex. Lake Charles is doing the same for hungry casino sharps from Austin and Houston.
In fact, from Houston, gamblers can leave work at 5 p.m. and be in the casino by 7 p.m. That's driving the speed limit, lead foots could be there even sooner.
Conclusion
Where the Louisiana gambling laws will go in the future is hard to say. The state has basically given the people a free rein when it comes to gambling on the bayou.
Possibly the most significant opportunities for advancement would be in the area of online gambling. But, if you're playing blackjack on your sofa, it's not really gambling on the bayou.
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!
Find my podcast wherever you listen to audio!
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.
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.
Online casinos have made gambling on sports or casino games easier than checking the mail—what a time to be alive.
Or, as my friend would say, 'The future is now.'
That is unless you live in Louisiana.
While many states view online gambling as somewhat of a gray area, Louisiana strictly and definitively prohibits online gambling of any sort.
Gamblers, in many states, use online casinos as an alternative to flying to Las Vegas.
Usually, the law enforcement in their area is more concerned with stopping the casinos from operating than the gamblers from playing.
However, this is far from the case in Louisiana. The first offense can cost up to $500 in fines and another six months in jail. Define rng in gaming.
A second offense bumps the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony. The fines double, and you could face nine months in prison.
Of course, just the threat of a felony charge is more than adequate to keep many would-be internet gambling moguls heading to brick and mortar casinos in the state.
Now that I've scared you straight, I want to point out another equally important bit of information.
Not a single person has ever seen prosecution for participating in online gambling in the state of Louisiana. Maybe the fine people of Louisiana are just such pillars of the community that they follow the letter of the law to a 'T.'
Social Gambling
I'm a huge proponent of social gambling for one straightforward reason. That reason is that I don't believe it'sit's the role of the government or anybody else to tell you what to do in your own home.
Louisiana gets this right.
Mostly. Spanish 21 payouts. The laws do put a few stipulations on the ancillary 'hows,' but for the most part, you are okay to do so.
It may become a problem if the host is charging any kind of cover charge, is making a profit from the event itself, sells food to the guests, or begins handling money.
Avoid these no-nos, and you're free and clear. Of course, if you are busted for stepping out of line, the chances are that you won't be prosecuted.
Casino Gambling
Did you know that Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. where casino gambling is legal statewide?
That's right. Even the juggernaut of the east, Atlantic City, is an outlier for much of New Jersey.
The riverboat casinos of Louisiana are by far the largest and most recognizable of the state's casino industry.
These holdovers from a slower time when people in business would travel up and down the Muddy Mississippi operate under strict parameters.
Sam's Town Hotel and Casino in Shreveport are among the largest of these riverboat casinos. The busy gambling hub is more of a barge than a boat. The great gambler songs.
However, the laws dictate that any riverboat casino in operation must have a functioning means of propulsion. So, the paddle wheel's added feature on the backs of these monstrosities is of absolutely no use whatsoever.
They are, in fact, very serviceable, though.
Shreveport draws enormous numbers from the DFW Metroplex. Lake Charles is doing the same for hungry casino sharps from Austin and Houston.
In fact, from Houston, gamblers can leave work at 5 p.m. and be in the casino by 7 p.m. That's driving the speed limit, lead foots could be there even sooner.
Conclusion
Where the Louisiana gambling laws will go in the future is hard to say. The state has basically given the people a free rein when it comes to gambling on the bayou.
Possibly the most significant opportunities for advancement would be in the area of online gambling. But, if you're playing blackjack on your sofa, it's not really gambling on the bayou.
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!
Find my podcast wherever you listen to audio!
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.
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:
- Amelia Belle Casino in Amelia located 79 miles west of New Orleans.
- Belle of Baton Rouge Casino Hotel in Baton Rouge located 81 miles northwest of New Orleans.
- Boomtown Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, MS.
- Boomtown New Orleans in Harvey located 11 miles south of New Orleans.
- Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel in Vinton located 140 miles northeast of Galveston, TX.
- DiamondJacks Casino Hotel Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, MS.
- Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport located 217 miles west of Jackson, MS.
- Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel in Opelousas located 137 miles northwest of New Orleans.
- Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots in New Orleans.
- Golden Nugget Lake Charles located 162 miles northeast of Galveston, Texas.
- Harrah's Louisiana Downs in Bossier City located 210 miles west of Jackson, Mississippi.
- Harrah's New Orleans Casino & Hotel.
- Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge located 83 miles northwest of New Orleans.
- Horseshoe Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, MS.
- Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lake Charles located 163 miles northeast of Galveston, Texas.
- L'auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge located 75 miles northwest of New Orleans.
- L'auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles located 163 miles northeast of Galveston, Texas.
- Margaritaville Resort Casino Bossier City located 216 miles west of Jackson, Mississippi.
- Sam's Town Hotel & Casino Shreveport located 216 miles west of Jackson, Mississippi.
- Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner located 15 miles northwest of New Orleans.
Tribal Casinos in Louisiana
There are four tribal casinos in Louisiana:
- Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder located 199 miles west of New Orleans.
- Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel in Charenton located 117 miles west of New Orleans.
- Jena Choctaw Pines Casino in Dry Prong located 201 miles northwest of New Orleans.
- 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:
- North: Arkansas Slots
- East: Mississippi Slots
- South: Gulf of Mexico
- 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
Gambling Lake Charles Louisiana
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.
Best Gambling In Louisiana State
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
Riverboat Gambling In Louisiana
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- Next: Maine Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Best Casino In Louisiana To Win
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
