Louisiana online horse betting is legal and has a strong presence in the state. Online horse betting in the Bayou State is operational, the leading racebooks are active, and residents can place bets in person at the tracks or through Louisiana horse racing sites and apps.
There are four racetracks where you can bet on site, while there are also numerous off-track betting parlors available for wagering in Louisiana. There are few restrictions regarding horse betting in Louisiana, but you must be at least 18 years old to take part in pari-mutuel wagering. Some online racebooks, including AmWager, set their own minimum of 21.
| Louisiana horse racing betting: key facts | |
|---|---|
| Online horse betting (ADW) | Yes |
| Live racetracks | 4: Fair Grounds, Louisiana Downs, Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs |
| Signature race | Louisiana Derby (Grade 2), Fair Grounds |
| Legal pari-mutuel age | 18+ (many ADWs require 21+) |
| Racebooks taking LA customers | AmWager, TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, TVG, DRF Bets, DraftKings Horse |
| Online sports betting | Legal in 55 of 64 parishes (separate product) |
In this article 10 sections
- Is online horse betting legal in Louisiana?
- Horse betting sites in Louisiana
- Best LA horse betting apps
- Racebook bonuses in Louisiana
- Horse racing tracks in Louisiana
- Types of horse racing bets in Louisiana
- Taxes on Louisiana horse betting winnings
- Responsible gambling for Louisiana horseplayers
- Louisiana horse racing betting in 2027
- Elsewhere
Is online horse betting legal in Louisiana?
Yes. Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing has a long history in Louisiana, and advance deposit wagering (ADW) racebooks accept Louisiana customers. Unlike sports betting, which is legal only in the 55 parishes that voted for it, racebook access isn’t tied to the parish referendums.
Horse racing is a separate product from sports betting. Sportsbook apps don’t take pari-mutuel bets, so you need a racebook account to bet the races.
Horse betting sites in Louisiana
Residents have access to quality sites for Louisiana online horse betting. Per current state-by-state listings, these racebooks take Louisiana customers:
- AmWager: a good selection of horse betting markets and simulcast coverage of major North American tracks. AmWager accepts Louisiana residents and requires customers to be 21.
- TwinSpires: Churchill Downs’ racebook, the online sister to the Fair Grounds, which also hosts TwinSpires sports betting kiosks. See our TwinSpires review.
- TVG and FanDuel Racing: one of the leaders in the industry, with TV and streaming coverage. FanDuel also runs the sportsbooks at Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs.
- DRF Bets: Daily Racing Form’s app, pairing wagering with DRF past performances.
- DraftKings Horse: DraftKings’ racing product, available in Louisiana.
Read our AmWager review Visit AmWager →
Best LA horse betting apps
Several licensed racing apps take Louisiana customers. TwinSpires offers a full-featured app that caters to all the betting needs of its users on iOS and Android. TVG’s layout makes odds and replays easy to find. DRF Bets is the handicapper’s choice for past performances. All of them use your location to confirm you are betting from a state where they are licensed to accept wagers.
Racebook bonuses in Louisiana
When betting the races online in Louisiana, promotions usually take these forms:
- Welcome offers that refund a losing first wager as a bonus or match part of your first deposit.
- Rebates that return a percentage of your handle over time.
- Track-specific promotions on big days such as Louisiana Derby day.
Read the terms for eligible tracks, wagering requirements and expiry. AmWager has no confirmed public welcome offer to list here.
Horse racing tracks in Louisiana
The Bayou State has four racetracks. Residents have the option to bet at the track or use online betting sites.
- Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, New Orleans: the Fair Grounds hosts the Louisiana Derby, the signature race in the state, during its winter-spring thoroughbred meet.
- Louisiana Downs, Bossier City: racing since 1974, the venue hosts regular race meets, and Caesars Sportsbook runs kiosks there.
- Delta Downs Racetrack Casino, Vinton: a Southwest Louisiana track near the Texas line, with a FanDuel retail sportsbook on site.
- Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, Opelousas: in the heart of Acadiana, also with a FanDuel retail sportsbook.
Local and major horse racing events in Louisiana
The state hosts some of the most important dates on the American racing calendar:
- Louisiana Derby: a Grade 2 race at the Fair Grounds and a measuring stick for horses with Kentucky Derby ambitions, since it offers qualifying points for the Derby. It’s a useful one for Louisiana horseplayers to judge the standard of the classic crop.
- Super Derby: historically the signature race at Louisiana Downs.
Through an ADW you can also bet the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup from anywhere in Louisiana.
Types of horse racing bets in Louisiana
The main bets readily available when wagering on the races in Louisiana are:
- Win, where you simply bet on which horse will win the race.
- Place and show, where your horse must finish in the top two or top three respectively.
- Exacta and trifecta, where you predict the order of the first two or first three horses.
- Superfectas and multi-race bets such as the daily double and Pick 4, where the pools get bigger.
A worked example: the exacta
A $2 exacta on horses 3 and 7, in that order, pays only if 3 wins and 7 runs second. Box them ($4 total) and you’re covered either way round. Because the pool is shared among winning tickets, a longshot in the exacta can pay far more than the two win prices combined.
Taxes on Louisiana horse betting winnings
Pari-mutuel winnings are taxable income for federal and Louisiana state income tax purposes. Winnings from a Louisiana venue are Louisiana-source income, so even non-residents must file a Louisiana return. Large payouts can also trigger a W-2G and federal withholding.
Responsible gambling for Louisiana horseplayers
Set a budget before the first race and stick to it; every racebook offers deposit limits and account closure. The Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline, 1-877-770-STOP (7867), takes calls and texts 24/7, with live chat at helpforgambling.org. The Gaming Control Board’s self-exclusion list covers casinos and online sportsbooks; for racebooks, use each operator’s own closure tools. General advice is at GambleAware.org and in our responsible gambling guide.
Louisiana horse racing betting in 2027
The road to the Kentucky Derby
The Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds is a points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The 2027 renewal in the spring will once again make New Orleans one of the busiest betting days of the prep season.
Racinos and sports betting under one roof
Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs all host sportsbooks. How the tracks balance racing with betting and slots will shape their 2027 racing calendars.
Sweepstakes enforcement spillover
Louisiana’s ban on dual-currency sweepstakes games took effect on August 1, 2026. It doesn’t touch licensed racebooks, but it narrows the online options for Louisiana players to regulated products.
What is the best horse racing betting site in Louisiana?
It depends what you bet. AmWager, our partner, covers tracks across the US and abroad with live video and a clean bet slip. TwinSpires, owned by Churchill Downs, has deep handicapping content, TVG and FanDuel Racing add television and streaming coverage and DRF Bets builds Daily Racing Form past performances into the bet slip. A second racebook account lets Louisiana players compare rebates and track lists race by race.
Can you bet on horse racing online in Louisiana?
Yes. ADW racebooks including AmWager, TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, TVG, DRF Bets and DraftKings Horse accept Louisiana customers.
What is the legal age for horse betting in Louisiana?
The pari-mutuel age is 18, but many online racebooks, including AmWager, require you to be 21.
How many racetracks does Louisiana have?
Four: Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Delta Downs in Vinton and Evangeline Downs in Opelousas.
Where is the Louisiana Derby run?
At the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. It’s a Grade 2 race that awards Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Do I have to pay tax on horse betting winnings in Louisiana?
Yes. Winnings are taxable for federal and Louisiana state income tax, and non-residents who win at a Louisiana venue must file a Louisiana return.
