Louisiana Casinos - Best Gambling Locations in LA

In Louisiana, you’ll find that the legal landscape for land-based casinos is quite unique. As one of the few states in the U.S. that permits casino gambling statewide, both on riverboats and at land-based, brick-and-mortar establishments, you’ll have a variety of gaming options at your disposal. The state regulates these casinos strictly, ensuring they adhere to the Louisiana gambling laws of fair gaming and responsible operation.

Most Popular Casinos in Louisiana Reviewed

We’re going to start a thorough analysis of top Louisiana casinos over the next sections, providing you with an exhaustive analysis of the gaming experience they offer. We’ll look at a diverse selection of gaming sites throughout the state, such as busy riverboat casinos in New Orleans or luxury casinos on the Mississippi. Our focus will be on highlighting the unique features, gaming options, dining experiences, and entertainment offerings that make each casino a standout choice. Let’s begin.

Horseshoe Casino, Bossier City

The Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, Louisiana, is a Caesars-owned gaming establishment that has been impressing visitors since its grand opening in 1994. The casino stretches over a massive 30,000 square feet, filled with a diverse array of gaming options. From the moment you step inside, you’ll be met with over 1,500 slot machines, each offering a unique gaming experience. If table games are more your style, the casino also boasts over 60 table games, including blackjack, roulette, and craps.

As you explore the casino, you’ll discover a wealth of dining options. The Jack Binion’s Steak House offers a fine dining experience, serving a variety of mouth-watering steaks and seafood dishes. If you’re in the mood for something more casual, ‘The Spread’ buffet offers a variety of international cuisines. The 8oz Burger Bar is a must-visit for burger lovers, and the Café Grille serves delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.

When you’re ready to take a break from the gaming floor, the Bossier City Horseshoe Casino has plenty of amenities to enjoy. The resort boasts a luxurious spa, where you can unwind with a variety of treatments, and a state-of-the-art fitness center to keep up with your workout routine. If you’re planning an overnight stay, the hotel offers a range of rooms and suites, each providing a comfortable and stylish retreat. And don’t forget to take a dip in the stunning outdoor swimming pool, a perfect place to relax and soak up the Louisiana sun.

The Horseshoe Casino has earned a solid reputation amongst visitors for its high-quality service and excellent gaming experience. While the food prices are considered reasonable, it’s the positive reviews about the casino’s friendly staff and well-maintained facilities that truly stand out. However, like any establishment, it has had a few complaints, mostly related to smoking areas within the casino. Overall, Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, Louisiana, offers a comprehensive gaming and leisure experience that leaves a lasting impression on its visitors.

Golden Nugget Lake, Lake Charles

Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Golden Nugget is a prominent casino that opened its doors to the public in December 2014. Spanning an impressive 38,000 square feet, the casino floor boasts a wide array of gaming options, with over 1,600 slots and 85+ table games available for visitors to enjoy. From classic slot machines to popular table games like blackjack, poker, and roulette, Golden Nugget offers a diverse mix of gaming experiences for every enthusiast.

Golden Nugget in Lake Charles has you covered with a selection of dining restaurants and bars. The Saltgrass Steak House serves mouthwatering cuisine, ranging from gourmet steaks to delectable seafood dishes. DraftKings Sportsbook Bar & Grill offers a variety of craft cocktails and beverages in a vibrant setting, although it lacks many of the options you’d find at the best online sportsbooks in Louisiana. For more info on the best betting apps in Louisiana, check out our relevant pages.

From luxurious rooms and suites, many with stunning lake views, to rejuvenating spa services, the resort caters to your comfort and relaxation needs. The entertainment options are extensive, with live shows and events regularly gracing the stage. Additionally, the casino offers a swimming pool, fitness center, and other recreational facilities.

Amongst visitors, Golden Nugget in Lake Charles has earned a positive reputation for its top-notch gaming experiences and excellent amenities. Many patrons praise the courteous staff and the overall ambiance of the casino. As for the price of food, while some visitors may find it slightly higher than other dining options in the area, most appreciate the quality of the dining experiences.

L’Auberge Casino Resort, Lake Charles

Opened in 2005, L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana invites you to a world of fun and entertainment. Sprawled across 242 acres, this expansive property provides a vast gaming space for enthusiasts. You have a choice of over 1,600 slot machines to try your luck at, or you could engage in one of the 80 table games. Whether you prefer the spin of the roulette wheel, the thrill of blackjack, or the strategy of poker, L’Auberge has got you covered.

You can savor delectable seafood at the Fisherman’s Wharf or enjoy a sumptuous steak at Embers Steakhouse. If you’re in the mood for Asian cuisine, Asia offers a variety of dishes that promise to tantalize your taste buds. For those who enjoy a good drink, Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill serves a wide selection of beverages.

L’Auberge features a luxury spa where you can unwind, a state-of-the-art fitness center for your workout needs, and a swimming pool to cool off in. The hotel offers a variety of rooms and suites, each designed with comfort and luxury in mind. For those seeking live entertainment, the resort hosts various performances throughout the year.

The resort enjoys a positive reputation among visitors. Many praise the quality of the food and the variety of gaming options. However, some visitors have raised complaints about the price of food. Despite this, L’Auberge in Lake Charles, Louisiana maintains an overall good reputation, offering a blend of fun, relaxation, and luxury to its visitors.

Bally’s Shreveport Casino & Hotel, Shreveport

Stepping into Bally’s Casino in Shreveport, Louisiana, you’re welcomed by a sprawling gaming floor that was first opened to the public in 2006. With over 15,000 square feet dedicated to gaming, the casino offers an impressive array of more than 500 games. From traditional slots to high-stakes poker tables, there’s something for every gaming enthusiast. You can test your skills at the blackjack table, try your luck with the roulette wheel, or engage in a competitive round of craps.

Bally’s Casino doesn’t disappoint with dining options. Their signature restaurant offers a variety of culinary delights, while the bar serves up a selection of local and international drinks. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick snack or a full-course meal, the restaurant caters to all tastes and preferences. The bar, on the other hand, is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day, offering a wide range of cocktails, beers, and wines.

Beyond the gaming and dining, Bally’s Casino offers an array of amenities to enhance your visit. The resort features a luxurious spa for relaxation, a well-equipped gym, and a swimming pool for a refreshing dip.

The reputation of Bally’s Casino among visitors is overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the variety of games and the quality of food. However, some visitors have voiced concerns over the pricing of the food, suggesting it could be more affordable. The overall reputation of Bally’s Casino in Shreveport, Louisiana remains strong, with many visitors returning for the diverse gaming options and the welcoming atmosphere.

Harrah’s Hotel & Casino, New Orleans

When you first step into Harrah’s Casino & Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, you are entering a world of gaming that has been captivating visitors since its opening in 1999. Covering a grand expanse of over 115,000 square feet, the casino floor is a haven for gaming enthusiasts. With more than 1,500 games to choose from, you can find everything from high-stakes poker tables to the latest in slot machine technology.

Harrah’s Casino & Hotel has a wide array of options to satisfy your culinary cravings. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a gourmet meal, you’ll find it here. Their signature restaurant offers a diverse menu of local and international dishes, while the bar provides a relaxing atmosphere for you to enjoy a selection of drinks, from craft beers to premium cocktails.

Harrah’s Casino offers a plethora of amenities to enhance your stay. The hotel boasts luxurious rooms and suites, a fitness center, and a spa for ultimate relaxation. For entertainment, there are live shows and concerts regularly held at the venue. If you fancy a swim, the hotel’s swimming pool is the perfect place to unwind.

Harrah’s Casino & Hotel gets a thumbs-up from most visitors. Many praise the quality of the food and the reasonable prices. Harrah’s Casino & Hotel is known for its vast gaming options, varied dining experiences, and comprehensive amenities, making it a popular choice among visitors to New Orleans.

List of All Casinos in Louisiana

There are many venues to choose from in Louisiana. We’ve detailed the basic info of every noteworthy casino, including the name, address, city, and telephone number, shown in the table below. Whether you are a local resident looking to make your gambling choices here or a visitor wishing to gamble at one of Louisiana’s casinos, here’s what you need to know:

Biggest Casinos in Louisiana

Now, we’ll present you with a look at the largest Louisiana land-based casinos. This information will help you navigate your way through the vast landscape of Louisiana’s casino scene to find somewhere to play.

Louisiana Casinos with the Most Games

Below, you’ll find a table featuring the casinos in Louisiana with the most games. This should help you understand where the most diversity is to be had in the Pelican State.

Casinos in Louisiana with Hotels

If you want to make more than one night out of playing at casinos in Louisiana, you’ll need somewhere to crash. Here are the top B&M casinos in Louisiana with hotels, ranked according to their number of available rooms.

Casino Games in Louisiana

From the vibrant casinos of New Orleans to the picturesque riverboat casinos along the Mississippi River, there are venues aplenty offering top games. Let us guide you through the array of table games, slot machines, and electronic gaming choices you can find when you play at Louisiana casinos.

Slots

LA land-based casinos are a haven for slot machine enthusiasts. They offer a wide range of options, from classic reel slots to the latest video slots, each providing a unique gaming experience. High limit slots are also available for those who prefer to play big. With a variety of themes, denominations, and styles, there’s a slot machine to match every player’s taste.

Some of the commonly found slots in Louisiana casinos include:

• Buffalo Grand
• Cleopatra
• Double Diamond
• Lightning Link
• Quick hit

Casino Poker

In brick-and-mortar LA casinos, you can experience the thrill of poker in a variety of forms. Many casinos also offer Omaha and Seven Card Stud for those looking for a different challenge. Alternatively, with both low-limit and high-stakes tables available, you may wish to try your hand at the top Louisiana online poker rooms featured on our site.

Here are five casino pokers you might consider when playing in Louisiana:

• Texas Hold’em
• Three Card Poker
• Omaha
• Seven Card Stud
• Pai Gow Poker

For a more extensive selection of P2P player games, we’d recommend exploring our top Louisiana real money online poker rooms.

Roulette

In Louisiana’s land-based casinos, you’ll find roulette games aplenty to enjoy. Whether you prefer the traditional feel of American Roulette, with its double zero wheel, or the slightly different (and favorable) odds offered by European Roulette, there’s a game for you. Outside of the top roulette casino sites, some of Louisiana’s finest roulette games include:

• American Roulette
• European Roulette
• French Roulette
• Electronic Roulette
• Rapid Roulette

Blackjack

Traditional blackjack, with its classic rules and strategies, is always a popular choice. For a twist, you might want to try popular online blackjack casino games like Blackjack Switch, where you play two hands at once and have the option to switch the top cards. If you’re looking for a high-stakes challenge, consider playing at live dealer casinos in the USA. They can offer realistic, authentic, and big-money games across many variants.

Louisianans tend to prefer the following blackjack games in B&M casinos:

• Traditional/Classic Blackjack
• Blackjack Switch
• Double Exposure Blackjack
• European Blackjack
• Vingt-et-Un

Dice Games

When visiting land-based casinos in Louisiana, you’ll often stumble across dice games to test your luck and skill. While more bizarre options can be found at offshore sites, such as our selection of the best craps casinos online, most Louisianans prefer craps. Here’s a brief list of the more popular dice games in the Pelican State:

• Craps
• Sic Bo
• Chuck-a-luck
• Klondike
• Hazard

Other Games

Beyond the usual suspects, Louisiana’s land-based casinos offer a diverse selection of other captivating “other” games. Online gamblers can immerse themselves in the fast-paced action of the best online casino baccarat titles, a game that combines elements of chance and strategy. If you prefer something more laid-back, you might enjoy bingo sessions, where you can socialize while you play. You can also try your luck at keno or other lottery-style and electronic options.

Generally, these “other games” tend to be hits in LA casinos:

• Baccarat
• Bingo
• Keno
• Video Poker
• Electronic Roulette

Riverboat Casinos in Louisiana

Louisiana is home to more riverboat casinos than arguably any other state, and they are fully legal casino establishments. Immerse yourself in the unique gaming experiences offered by these floating establishments as they navigate the scenic waterways of Louisiana, providing you with an exceptional blend of entertainment and picturesque views.

Here’s a list of the top riverboat casinos in Louisiana to help you get started:

Indian Gaming Tribes in Louisiana

Louisiana is home to several Indian gaming tribes. The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, for instance, traces its roots back to the southeastern United States and is known for its contributions to Louisiana’s vibrant cultural tapestry. Another prominent tribe is the Chitimacha Tribe, recognized for its resilience and historical ties to the Atakapa people. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, on the other hand, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years, with their ancestors having inhabited the Mississippi Valley.

Other significant tribes with a presence in Louisiana include the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. None of these sites operate the best online casinos for Louisiana players, though, as they tend to be based offshore.

Here’s a list of the primary tribes offering Indian casinos:

• Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
• Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana
• Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
• Jena Band of Choctaw Indians
• Alabama-Coushatta Tribe

Note that the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe primarily resides in Texas but has a smaller presence in Louisiana.

Closed Casinos in Louisiana

• Harrah’s New Orleans Casino (This casino closed temporarily due to the impact of Hurricane Ida in August 2021 but later reopened)
• Diamond Jacks Casino & Hotel in Bossier City (Closed permanently in May 2020)
• Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport (Rebranded as Shreveport Casino & Hotel under the new ownership of Maverick Gaming in 2020)

Gambling Taxes in Louisiana

In Louisiana, as with the other US state gambling laws, any gambling winnings are subject to state income taxes. If you win a significant amount, the casino may issue you a Form W-2G to report the winnings to the IRS and the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR). You must report all gambling winnings, including those not reported on the W-2G, as “Other Income” on your state tax return.

The state’s individual income tax rates range from 2% to 6%, depending on your income level. Additionally, Louisiana allows you to deduct gambling losses, but only up to the extent of your reported winnings. To do so, you must keep accurate records of your losses, including receipts, tickets, and other documentation.

If you’re a non-resident of Louisiana and win gambling income within the state, you may still be required to file a Louisiana tax return to report those winnings. Non-resident individuals are subject to a flat tax rate of 6% on gambling winnings from Louisiana sources.

It’s essential to comply with Louisiana’s tax laws and accurately report and pay taxes on gambling winnings to avoid potential penalties or issues with the LDR. For specific guidance or questions regarding your tax situation, it’s recommended to consult a qualified tax professional or refer directly to the Louisiana Department of Revenue’s official website.

Louisiana Gambling FAQ

When did Louisiana first legalize casino gambling?

Louisiana first legalized casino gambling in 1991. The state passed the Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control Act, which authorized the operation of floating casinos along the state’s waterways. These riverboat casinos were allowed to offer various casino games, including slot machines, table games, and poker, to the public. The introduction of casino gambling marked a significant development in Louisiana’s gaming industry, providing new entertainment options and contributing to the state’s economy.

What is the legal gambling age in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, the minimum age to gamble varies depending on the type of gambling activity. To participate in casino gambling and play slot machines or table games, you must be at least 21 years old. However, for other forms of gambling, such as betting on horse racing or playing bingo, the minimum age is 18 years old.

What was the first Louisiana casino to open?

The first casino to open in Louisiana was the Isle of Capri Casino in Lake Charles. It started its operations on May 4, 1995. The Isle of Capri Casino was one of the pioneering riverboat casinos in the state, taking advantage of the Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control Act of 1991, which allowed floating casinos to operate along Louisiana’s waterways.

How much revenue do casinos in Louisiana make?

Overall, the gross gaming revenue registered in Louisiana topped $3.17 billion. However, there are few stats detailing what casinos alone generate and none for the best casino apps that pay real money in the state, which tend to operate offshore. You can find the best LA casino apps right here.

Are there horse/dog racing and off-track betting options in Louisiana?

Yes, you can bet on horse and dog racing at off-track locations in Louisiana. The state allows off-track betting (OTB) facilities, also known as satellite wagering facilities, where you can place bets on live horse and dog races happening at tracks outside of the location.

Do any Louisiana casinos offer free parking?

Harrah’s, L’Auberge, Golden Nugget Lake, Sam’s Town, and the Horseshoe all offer free parking to customers. The results vary at other LA land-based casinos.

How many casinos does Louisiana have?

There are over a dozen land-based casinos in Louisiana. These casinos are spread across different regions of the state and offer various gaming options, including slot machines, table games, poker, and more. Some are proper land-based establishments while others are riverboat casinos. There are dozens of top real money online casino sites for you to join online, too.

Is charitable gambling permitted in Louisiana?

The state permits certain types of charitable gaming activities for nonprofit organizations to raise funds for charitable purposes. Charitable gaming in Louisiana includes activities such as bingo, raffles, and pull-tab games.

These charitable games are subject to specific regulations and licensing requirements set forth by the Louisiana Office of Charitable Gaming. Nonprofit organizations intending to conduct charitable gaming must obtain the necessary permits and comply with the state’s rules to ensure that the proceeds go towards the intended charitable causes.

Are any new casinos opening in Louisiana soon?

2025 is set to see the launch of the Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana. It is being built by Cordish Companies and has received approval from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board to redevelop the land occupied by Diamond Jacks Casino & Hotel in Bossier City.

Are there any legal restrictions to gambling at casinos in Louisiana?

Louisiana requires you to be aged 21 to gamble in its casinos, and all venues must be licensed and regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. They must all provide acceptable responsible gambling measures for patrons. Betting limits may also apply in selected establishments.

Can you smoke in Louisiana casinos?

Smoking is generally allowed in land-based casinos, but these policies can vary from venue to venue. For instance, some may have smoke-free areas, while others may support dedicated smoking areas.

Are pets allowed in casinos in Louisiana?

Pets are not typically tolerated in Louisiana casinos, save for those trained to assist individuals with disabilities. Service animals protected by the ADA may be allowed in.

Where can I receive help with gambling addiction in Louisiana?

We encourage you to reach out to the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling (LACG) at 1-877-770-STOP (7867), the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700), or the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health for assistance.