Five Boyd's casinos get Louisiana sports betting licenses

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board on Thursday granted sports betting licenses to five Boyd Gaming's casinos in Acadiana and Shreveport, bringing the number of state-issued sports betting licenses to 13.

Louisiana Gaming Control Chair Ronnie Johns said he signed licenses for Sam's Town in Shreveport, Treasure Chest in Kenner, Amelia Belle in Amelia, Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, and Delta Downs in Vinton.

Johns said the licenses are effective Friday, but he isn't sure when the casinos will begin accepting bets, Lafayette Daily Advertiser reports. 

A 14th Louisiana sportsbook is located at the Paragon Casino in Marksville, but the Paragon is operated by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and isn't regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

The other state-approved sports betting licenses are at the Horsehoe in Shreveport, Margaritaville and Boomtown in Bossier City, Harrah's New Orleans, L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge, Boomtown Casino in Harvey and Golden Nugget and L'Auberge Casino in Lake Charles.

Voters in 55 of Louisiana's 64 parishes approved legalizing sports betting in their communities last fall, but lawmakers had to set up the framework to regulate and tax sports wagers during the 2021 spring Legislative Session. All of the current sports betting options are on-site sportsbooks, or betting parlors.

Johns said it will be at least January before the casinos can implement their mobile apps. That's the same timeline expected for bars and restaurants to secure sports betting kiosks for their customers. The Louisiana Lottery controls that segment of the industry.

Sports betting will still be prohibited in Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, LaSalle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll and Winn, the parishes where voters rejected the gaming expansion.