Louisiana sports betting is off the ground.
The state’s first sportsbook opened on Wednesday at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville. The facility, which is located about 90 miles away from Louisiana’s capital Baton Rouge, is owned and operated by the Tunica-Biloxi Native Indian Tribe.
The sportsbook opened its doors to bettors at 3 p.m. CT, with former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn placing the ceremonial first bet. The former NFL star placed a seven-team parlay bet to mark the occasion.
The sportsbook at Paragon is located in the casino’s Draft Room. According to the establishment, the wagering venue features theatre-style seating, a custom video wall, several self-service kiosks, and live betting windows. There is also a full-service restaurant and bar with multiple seating options where patrons can sit and relax as they enjoy food, cold draught beers, and sports viewing on 112 TVs.
The casino chose Betfred as its sports betting partner.
Paragon Casino Says the Opening is a New Chapter
In a statement about the opening of the sportsbook, Paragon Casino’s General Manager Marshal Sampson Sr. expressed the casino’s excitement at teaming up with Betfred for the offering, saying that the new partnership marked a new chapter for Paragon and residents of the Bayou State.
He added that the new sportsbook would offer a first-class sports wagering experience to bettors and make the casino a premier betting and sports viewing destination in the state.
‘’Our partnership with Betfred Sports marks a new chapter for Paragon, which has always been a source of pride for Marksville and the people of Louisiana,’’ commented the General Manager.
‘’With this new partnership, I hope visitors from across the region will have the chance to experience it for themselves. Together, we are offering a first-class sports betting platform and venue that will make Paragon Casino Resort the place to bet and watch games in Louisiana.’’
Paragon is the first casino to take legal sports bets in Louisiana. However, unlike commercial casinos in the state, the facility did not require clearance from the state regulator before launching the vertical since its is located on tribal land.
The 20 commercial casinos and racinos eligible to run sportsbooks in the state are still waiting for their licenses to be approved by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Betfred Enters Fourth US State with Paragon Partnership
The successful launch of Louisiana’s first retail sportsbook is not only a key moment for Paragon but it is also a significant milestone for Betfred.
Louisiana is the fourth state for the British operator, after Pennsylvania, Iowa and Colorado.
Commenting on this latest milestone, Betfred Group Chief Operating Officer said:
‘’Louisiana is an exciting opportunity for Betfred Sports to continue its expansion in the US after successful launches in Iowa, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. We look forward to utilizing our 50 years of bookmaking experience with our fantastic partner, Paragon Casino resort, to bring the best sports betting experience to bettors in the state.’’
The company is also working on securing market access opportunities and regulatory approval in several other US states including Nevada, Arizona, Washington State, and Virginia.
