BetOnline works throughout Louisiana regardless of which parish you’re in. That matters because Louisiana’s legal sports betting only operates in 55 of 64 parishes - if you’re in one of the nine holdout parishes, you can’t use legal apps at all. BetOnline ignores these geographic restrictions entirely.
Louisiana’s Parish-by-Parish Betting
Louisiana is the only state that legalized sports betting via local option. Each parish voted individually on whether to allow it.
55 parishes voted YES - Legal sports betting available 9 parishes voted NO - No legal sports betting allowed
The NO parishes:
- Caldwell
- Catahoula
- Franklin
- Jackson
- La Salle
- Sabine
- Union
- West Carroll
- Winn
If you live in or visit these parishes, DraftKings and FanDuel won’t work. They geolocate your phone and block access.
How BetOnline Handles This
BetOnline doesn’t geolocate by parish. It operates from Costa Rica and serves all of Louisiana identically.
In New Orleans (Orleans Parish): BetOnline works.
In Caldwell Parish: BetOnline works.
Anywhere in Louisiana: BetOnline works.
The site doesn’t care about Louisiana’s internal parish boundaries. It’s not trying to comply with Louisiana licensing because it’s not a Louisiana-licensed operator.
The Legal Gray Area
Louisiana’s gaming laws regulate operators, not players.
What’s regulated:
- Casinos operating in Louisiana
- Mobile sportsbooks licensed by the state
- Betting kiosks at licensed locations
What’s not addressed:
- Individual residents using offshore websites
- Placing bets with out-of-country operators
No Louisiana resident has been prosecuted for using BetOnline. Law enforcement focuses on unlicensed operations within the state, not individual bettors.
Why Some Parishes Voted No
The nine NO parishes are rural, generally conservative, and have smaller populations. Local values around gambling influenced the votes.
But here’s the irony: residents of these parishes can:
- Drive to a YES parish and bet legally
- Play lottery games statewide
- Gamble at certain licensed locations
The parish boundaries create inconvenience, not prohibition. And BetOnline eliminates even that inconvenience.
Comparing Options
If you’re in a YES parish:
| Feature | Legal LA Books | BetOnline |
|---|---|---|
| Geolocation | Required | None |
| Poker | No | Yes |
| Reduced juice | No | Tuesdays |
| Consumer protection | Yes | No |
If you’re in a NO parish:
| Feature | Legal LA Books | BetOnline |
|---|---|---|
| Available | NO | Yes |
For NO parish residents, it’s BetOnline or nothing.
The New Orleans Market
New Orleans is Louisiana’s biggest betting market:
- Saints football (Superdome tailgates are legendary)
- Pelicans basketball
- LSU Tigers (statewide obsession)
- Tulane (local following)
Legal betting arrived in Louisiana in January 2022. The market is competitive with most major operators present in eligible parishes.
Cajun Country Considerations
Louisiana has unique betting culture:
- Massive LSU following (third-largest college football stadium)
- Horse racing tradition (Fair Grounds)
- Casino culture along Gulf Coast
- Strong poker scene
Legal options serve the major markets well. BetOnline serves everywhere, including the rural parishes that opted out.
My Recommendation
If you’re in a YES parish: Legal options are convenient with better consumer protection. Use BetOnline for poker or reduced juice days.
If you’re in a NO parish: BetOnline is your best option. The legal apps literally won’t work where you are.
If you travel between parishes: BetOnline works everywhere without geolocation hassles.
FAQ
Is BetOnline legal in Louisiana?
Gray area. Louisiana gaming laws regulate licensed operators, not individual bettors using offshore sites. No one has been prosecuted for using BetOnline in Louisiana.
Why doesn’t legal sports betting work in some Louisiana parishes?
Louisiana legalized via local option. Nine parishes voted against allowing sports betting. Legal apps geolocate and block users in those parishes.
Can I use BetOnline in Louisiana parishes that voted no?
Yes. BetOnline doesn’t geolocate by parish. It works throughout Louisiana regardless of local voting results.
Which Louisiana parishes don’t have legal sports betting?
Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, La Salle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll, and Winn. All rural parishes with smaller populations.