Caesars Getting Ahead of Impending Louisiana Legal Sports Betting Launch

Caesars Sportsbook jumped ahead of its competition by releasing its app ahead of the launch of Louisiana sports betting.

Dave Bonderoff

Last Updated: October 25, 2021 7:49 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Caesars Sportsbook got the jump on the U.S. legal sports betting scene by launching its app in Louisiana.

Caesars Sportsbook appears to be going all-in on the state of Louisiana. Although legalized, the Bayou State sports betting platform hasn't quite officially launched. That hasn't stopped Caesars from making its best-in-class app available for download and sign-up for sports and wagering fans in the state.

It was announced on Friday, Oct. 22, that bettors in Louisiana would be given the opportunity to prepare for the official Louisiana launch. That date is still uncertain but rumored to be weeks away. Caesars Sportsbook became the first app available for download in the state. It allows bettors to sign up for the app, collect some generous welcome bonuses and peruse the site they will hopefully be using on Day 1 of the legal sports betting launch.

No surprise that Caesars first out of the box

It is no surprise that Caesars made a push to get out ahead of other providers hoping to make a splash in the potentially massive Louisiana legal sports betting market. Caesars has been able to generate a fair amount of buzz the last few months with its commitments to the Bayou State.

"Louisiana and the entire Gulf Coast region are a special part of the Caesars family. We couldn't be more excited to build on our longstanding commitments in the state with the launch of legal sports betting," said Eric Hession, Co-President of Caesars Digital. "We know how passionate Bayou State sports fans are about their teams and we're confident our brand-new Caesars Sportsbook app and the exciting offers we have for launch can offer them a sports experience that can't be matched."

More about Caesars' current Louisiana sports betting presence

Caesars' concentration on the Louisiana market includes its recent victory for naming rights of the most iconic sports building not only in Louisiana but perhaps the entire U.S. The Louisiana Superdome was renamed as the Caesars Superdome. That deal includes an official partnership deal with the beloved New Orleans Saints.

Caesars has also inked a ground-breaking official sportsbook partnership deal with the LSU Tigers athletic program. The deal gives the provider enormous exposure in the Louisiana market. All that is missing for a virtual Louisiana team monopoly is a deal with the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans.

Caesars entities will eventually soak up three of the 20 licenses available in the state. Harrah’s New Orleans, the only current land-based commercial casino in Louisiana, Horseshoe Bossier City and Isle of Capri Casino all fall under the Caesars umbrella. They hope to be dominant forces once the platform is fully operational.

The past, present, and future of sports betting in Louisiana

The Louisiana scene became a reality last November. Fifty-five of 64 parishes voted "Yes" on allowing legal sports betting in their jurisdictions. A comprehensive platform would have been live in the state already if not for Hurricane Ida.

“I will tell you that we’re working through a process right now for the in-house licensing, as you know that’s going to come first,” Ronnie Johns, the head of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board said at a Thursday meeting on the potential launch date for the platform. “The 20 possible applicants are being considered right now. The state police (are) doing an incredible job. They got set back by Hurricane Ida, but they’re back at it. I’m not going to give you a definitive date when we’ll issue licenses, but it’s going to be soon.”

Official Louisiana launch is rumored to be in the works for November 1, although further delays wouldn’t be a shock.

While Caesars is getting most of the press in the Louisiana market, Betfred is already operating a sports betting facility in the Bayou State. It's working with tribal-owned retail Paragon Casino, which launched earlier this month.

Caesars looking to "flooding the Louisiana zone"

Caesars knows a good thing when it sees it. The Louisiana legal sports betting industry has been on its radar for quite some time. The company is already offering an early $100 Free Bet bonus and other Louisiana-centric promotions for new customers.

Caesars is relying on its impressive ability to gain exposure in the Louisiana market. The attractive Caesars Rewards program, an enormous betting menu, and its overall reputation as not only a heavyweight name in the U.S. legal sports betting scene but also a supporter of Louisiana itself, to carry it to a dominant position in the yet-to-be-launched Louisiana sports betting market.

Smart money is on Caesars doing just that.

Written by:
Dave Bonderoff

Dave Bonderoff and betting go hand-in-hand. Both are characterized by "odds". Dave fancies himself as one of the most dedicated sports and pop-culture junkies around, to the chagrin of his family and friends. Following sports for 50 years and writing about it for 20, Dave hasn't found a sport yet that can't contribute to 2-3 straight hours of couch time. That search remains ongoing. As a good old Canadian boy, hockey is in Dave’s heart, as is curling sadly. But evolution is a real thing and that’s why football, baseball, and just about every sport on the planet has become a passion. Dave isn’t afraid to kill some time obsessing over politics or the far-too-frequent awards shows the consume the airwaves.