The first sportsbook in Louisiana is now open, even as a broader rollout of legal wagering in the state has been delayed by Hurricane Ida.
Paragon Casino Resort and Betfred Sports recently announced they were partnering for a “Las Vegas-style sportsbook” at the Marksville, La. facility — “the first of its kind in the market,” a press release said.
Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn placed the first wager at the Paragon sportsbook on Wednesday, which means legal sports betting is now underway in Louisiana. It just isn't exactly in the form that was recently approved by the state legislature.
Gov. John Bel Edwards signed legislation in June that authorizes the state’s gaming control board to regulate sports betting and to issue up to 20 licenses for both brick-and-mortar and online sportsbooks.
However, the Paragon Casino Resort is owned by the state's Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board has no regulatory authority over tribal establishments, an official said in an email.
Instead, the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has a federally approved gaming compact that allows for sports betting "as permitted and to the extent authorized" by the state. So far, though, the partners aren't offering online sports betting.
"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," Chairman Marshall Pierite said in the release. "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."
Saints fan favorite Joe Horn makes first official LEGAL sports bet in Louisiana at Paragon Casino - a 7-team parlay!!!!! #lagov #lalege ?@BetfredSports? pic.twitter.com/B0AhfFCkv3
— Greg Hilburn (@GregHilburn1) October 6, 2021
Betfred Sports, a U.S. subsidiary of U.K.-based bookmaker Betfred Group, says it is now a licensed operator in Iowa, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Louisiana, with authorization in Arizona, Nevada, Washington, and Virginia still awaiting regulatory approval.
The bookmaker will operate the new sportsbook in “The Draft Room” sports bar at the Paragon, which includes theater seating, a video wall, and betting counters and kiosks.
“Louisiana is an exciting opportunity for Betfred Sports to continue its expansion in the U.S. after successful launches in Iowa, Colorado and Pennsylvania,” said Mark Stebbings, Betfred Group’s chief operating officer, in the release. “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.”
Online sports betting still TBD
The retail launch at the casino follows the recent blow that was dealt to the state by deadly Hurricane Ida. The storm also delayed Louisiana’s regulatory process for launching sports gambling more broadly, including online wagering.
According to the state’s legalization legislation, its licenses will first be made available for a land-based casino, Harrah’s New Orleans, as well as Louisiana’s 15 licensed riverboats and four live horse-racing tracks. If there are any licenses left, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board can grant those leftovers to video poker facilities and fantasy sports operators, beginning in 2022.
Betfred Sports in now bayou! ????
— Betfred Sports (@BetfredSports) October 6, 2021
Today at 3pm CST, place your first bet at the Betfred Sportsbook inside The Draft Room located at @ParagonCasino.
We are excited to be the first sportsbook open in Louisiana. ???? pic.twitter.com/ANZGi95MC7
The Louisiana Lottery Corp. will also be allowed to take sports wagers via website, mobile app, and retail kiosks. Sports bettors across the state will need to be 21 or older and be physically located in one of the 55 parishes (similar to counties) that voted in favor of legal sports betting in order to wager.
Louisiana’s sports-betting law does allow for the gaming board to issue a temporary sports-wagering license to someone while they consider their application. Those licenses last for six months, although they can be extended once for 90 days.
For the moment, though, the Betfred book at the Paragon is the only sportsbook in Louisiana.
A spokesperson said the casino and the bookmaker also have plans "in the works" for partnering on online sports betting.
Lousiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns said in an email that the regulator and state police "are working diligently" to get state-regulated casinos licensed for in-person sports wagering, and that "hopefully" in the next few weeks the work will be completed.
However, sports-betting efforts were set back "at least" two weeks by the hurricane, Johns said, as the gaming division of the state police were deployed for recovery efforts.
"They are now back at full force in their licensing work," Johns added. "Online sports betting is still a few months away as we are going through the licensing and regulatory process of the online vendors that the casinos will utilize."
