Louisiana's sports betting market has grown into one of the more significant in the Southeast. The 2025 total handle topped $4.24 billion, up 15% from 2024. Tax revenue hit $67.9 million for FY2025, a 26% year-over-year jump. Those are not small numbers for a state that only launched mobile betting in January 2022.
Online wagering drives almost all of it. Approximately 93% of Louisiana's total handle comes through mobile and online apps, not retail windows. If you want to understand where this market is headed, start with the Louisiana Sportsbook Apps: Ranked by Real Criteria breakdown, which covers every live platform.
How big is the Louisiana sports betting market month by month?
Handle swings hard with the sports calendar. August 2024 came in at $234.5 million, up 27.1% month-over-month — NFL preseason and college football opening weeks drove that spike. October 2024 jumped to $368.3 million, peak regular-season territory. January 2026 reached $381.6 million, generating $8.9 million in state tax revenue for that single month alone. January is playoff football, and Louisiana bettors show up for it.
| Month | Statewide Handle | State Tax Revenue | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | $234.5 million | Not reported separately | NFL preseason, college football kickoff |
| October 2024 | $368.3 million | Not reported separately | NFL regular season, NBA opening week |
| January 2026 | $381.6 million | $8.9 million | NFL playoffs |
Which teams get the most betting action in Louisiana?
Three teams dominate the wagering volume: the New Orleans Saints (NFL), the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA), and the LSU Tigers (college football). None of that is surprising. Saints games consistently generate the largest single-game handles. LSU drives heavy futures and spread action each fall. Pelicans betting picks up during playoff contention windows.
One rule to keep in mind: individual college athlete prop bets are banned in Louisiana effective August 1, 2024. You can bet LSU spreads, moneylines, and totals — you cannot bet on a specific Tiger's statistical line. See the Best Louisiana Sportsbooks: All 8 Licensed Apps Ranked page for which operators offer the deepest LSU betting markets within legal limits.
What does the tax revenue growth mean for operators?
The $67.9 million in FY2025 tax revenue reflects both handle growth and a rate increase. HB 639 raised the online operator tax rate from 15% to 21.5%. More handle at a higher rate compounds fast. For the full picture of what operators pay and how it affects the market, read our Louisiana Sports Betting Tax Rate: What Operators Pay and What Bettors Owe guide.
Which sportsbook captures the most Louisiana handle?
FanDuel leads market share nationally and holds a dominant position in Louisiana as well. Its welcome offer — bet $5 per day for seven days to earn up to $350 in bonus bets — is one of the more accessible entry points in the state. Our FanDuel Louisiana Review: $350 Bonus Bet Offer Tested walks through exactly how that promotion works and where the platform wins and loses against competitors.
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