Gov. Landry Signs Louisiana Online Sports Betting Tax Increase Into Law

• Gov. Jeff Landry (R) has signed a bill to increase the online sports betting tax rate into law
• The state will increase its rate from 15% to 21.5%
• The bill goes into effect on Aug. 1, 2025

Louisiana’s online sports betting tax rate is set to officially increase later this summer.

Gov. Jeff Landry (R) signed Rep. Neil Riser’s (R-20) bill, HB 639, into law this week. The legislation will officially raise the Pelican State’s online sports betting tax rate from 15% to 21.5% and creates a new fund for D-1 universities.

The new Louisiana tax rate will go into effect on Aug. 1.

Latest State to Increase Sports Betting Tax Rate

Louisiana’s online sports betting tax rate will be increased to 21.5%, leveling it with the state’s brick-and-mortar sports betting tax rate. Riser’s original bill included an increase to the Louisiana sports betting tax rate to 31%, but the rate was decreased after negotiations with licensed operators.

Riser’s bill breezed through both legislative chambers, passing the house by a 73-15 vote in May and the senate by a 35-3 vote earlier this month.

Louisiana is the third state this year to officially increase its sports betting tax rate. Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) recently signed the Illinois $55.2 billion budget into law, which includes new charges for licensed operators on the first 20,000,000 online sports bets taken in the state, and an increased charge on every bet taken thereafter.

Additionally, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed the state’s budget into law in late May, which includes an increase to the state’s sports betting tax rate from 15% to 20%.

New Jersey lawmakers are also considering increases to the state’s online sports betting and iGaming rates. Gov. Phil Murphy (D) introduced a budget in February that includes increases to 25% of adjusted revenues for its iGaming and sports betting tax rates, yet assembly and senate leaders may not have the stomach to increase both to such levels.

Creates New Athletics Fund

In addition to increasing the state’s sports betting tax rate, Riser’s bill will also create the Supporting Programs, Opportunities, Resources, and Teams Fund.

The fund will receive 25% of the state’s sports betting revenues, which can be used by athletic departments of NCAA DI for the benefit of student athletes. Funds will be used for scholarships, insurance, medical coverage, facility enhancements, litigation settlement fees, and Alston Awards.

Riser praised the universities for all agreeing to accept an equal portion of the revenue.

Under the terms of the bill, the following institutions will be eligible to receive revenues from the new fund:

• Grambling
• LSU
• Louisiana Lafayette
• Louisiana Tech
• McNeese State
• Nicholls State