WynnBET Joins Louisiana Gambling and Online Markets

US Betting Report
 
WynnBET Joins Louisiana Gambling and Online Markets
Wild Casino

The landscape of Louisiana gambling just changed with the addition of WynnBET to the state’s sportsbook offerings.

WynnBET has touched down in Louisiana just in time for Super Bowl LVI with expected record amounts of wagers. It is the seventh sportsbook that is now operational in the Louisiana sports betting online sphere.

WynnBET Joins Louisiana Gambling

Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns signed WynnBET’s online license earlier this week, leading to the company’s official announcement on Thursday. This is now WynnBET’s seventh state of operation.

WynnBET gained access to the state through their deal with Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, a Caesars Entertainment property. Pre-registration for WynnBET has been available since January.

Former LSU Tiger Shaquille O’Neal will be representing WynnBET and entrenching them in southern culture as a brand ambassador.

Sportsbooks in Louisiana

WynnBET joins DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetRivers, BetMGM, and Barstool as Louisiana-legal sportsbooks. Louisiana gambling only just expanded to online engagement on January 28, making this an impressive turnaround. 

Several delays stalled the initial process, but the deadline of the Super Bowl was ultimately met . LGCB’s Ronnie Johns had stated that it was vital the state be in operation before the biggest game of the NFL season. 

Before opening online, LA retail sportsbooks had been operational since October 31, 2021; returns in the first two months totaled $67.1 million.

The Online Takeover

The first weekend in online Louisiana gambling generated more betting activity per capita than in New York, per GeoComply. The Louisiana market now has an entirely new outlook after the recent surge in participation.

A 15% tax will be taken from online bets, upping the regular 10% rate on retail sportsbooks; 60% of that will be donated to the general fund, 25% to early education, 12% to parishes, 2% to gambling addiction programs, and 1% to a horse racing purse.

Legislators approved the state’s sports betting bills last June and they quickly became law after Governor John Bel Edwards signed them. 

Ins and Outs

There is a unique catch to online Louisiana gambling: It is only available in 55 of the 64 parishes. 

Louisiana’s Roman-Catholic heritage has split it into different parishes or administrative districts. Nine of these special districts did not approve measures to legalize gambling in November of 2020, excluding them from joining in online betting.

The parishes that disallow online betting are Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, LaSalle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll, and Winn.

Exciting Times for Bettors

Two headlining stars in this weekend’s Super Bowl are Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, two LSU products. According to FanDuel data released on Wednesday, nearly 50% of all bets with Louisiana sportsbooks on Super Bowl LVI involve one of the two former Tigers.

According to the American Gaming Association, the Super Bowl will produce more than $7 billion in wagers through sports betting apps.