Attorney General Liz Murrill is alerting Louisiana residents and visitors to the growing presence of illegal gambling websites and mobile applications offering unauthorized online casino-style games within the state. These platforms are commonly disguised as legitimate operations, but are illegal and not regulated by any Louisiana authority and pose a serious threat to consumers.

Online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker for real money remain illegal. Despite this, many unlicensed operators, often based overseas or outside of Louisiana’s jurisdiction, continue to target residents with illegal gambling offerings. 

Some of these platforms, including so-called “sweepstakes” or “social casino” sites, may offer real-money payouts, use dual-currency or coin-based systems, or offer material prizes such as gift cards, all under the false appearance of legality and trying to compare themselves with legitimate sweepstakes, like that of McDonald’s or Starbucks. Our laws and the veto of SB181 do not legalize these purported “sweepstakes” or “social gaming” websites without a vote of the people or without licensing and suitability investigations. In fact, the Governor’s veto stated, in part, these websites are “…already prohibited in Louisiana” and “…the [Gaming Control] Board is already taking active steps to combat illegal gambling in Louisiana, especially against…illegal online sweepstakes companies…”  

“I want to make it unequivocally clear that online casino, bingo, keno, iGaming, and alleged sweepstakes or social gaming sites offering such games are operating illegally in Louisiana. I will enforce our laws and hold those offering illegal gambling websites accountable through all legal means," said Attorney General Liz Murrill.

• Click here for the list of operators who were issued a Cease-and-Desist Letter. 
• Click here for the Gaming Control Board's News Release on this subject.