Genius Sports gets Louisiana's temporary license as sports betting service provider

Official data, technology and commercial brand Genius Sports announced Tuesday its certification by the State of Louisiana Gaming Control Board as Sports Wagering Service Provider for an initial six months. The company is currently awaiting its full license authorization. 

In an official press release, Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports, spoke about this new milestone and said: “We are honored that the Louisiana Gaming Control Board has awarded Genius Sports its temporary sports wagering service provider authorization to provide licensed sportsbooks with access to our groundbreaking NFL products and media solutions. As an increasing number of U.S. states legalize sports betting, Genius Sports welcomes the opportunity to work with states like Louisiana, on providing sports fans with official sports data-powered solutions

Online sports betting was authorized in Louisiana in June 2021. Some of Louisiana’s retail sportsbooks are beginning to open, and online sports wagering is likely to launch in the coming weeks. The estimated date was November 1st. 

Sports betting in the state was planned to kick off in the state in state-licensed casinos first, as they have already been investigated. Vendors for betting websites and apps need a full review that required more time. Ronnie Johns, head of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, said the goal is “to have it up and running by the first of the year”.

Four state-licensed casinos in Louisiana -Harrah’s New Orleans, L’Auberge Casino, Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City- started taking sports wagers at their locations on October 31, after getting the approval for their license applications. 

Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville has been taking sports bets since October 6. The property is not regulated by the state, and belongs to the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. The compacts the tribes have with the federal government allow them to operate casino games that state voters have approved. 

On October 22, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board voted unanimously for FanDuel to join DraftKings in launching fantasy sports contests in the 47 parishes allowed to have the gaming after the November 2018 election outcome. DraftKings has been up and running in Louisiana for months.

With the addition of Louisiana, Genius Sports is now authorized to operate in 18 U.S. states, powering award-winning official data, streaming, and marketing solutions for sportsbooks and lotteries.