Louisiana is known for its vibrant casino scene, but when it comes to online poker, the state remains uncharted territory. This leaves residents with limited options for digital poker play.
However, sweepstakes-style poker platforms offer legal alternatives that allow Louisiana players to enjoy online poker. Additionally, Louisiana players can also sign up with offshore sites to play for real money.
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Great casino offer On this page, we’ll share with you the best offshore/sweepstakes poker sites in Louisiana, take a closer look at the regulation landscape in the state, and discuss other important information you should know before playing.
Can I Play Online Poker in Louisiana?
Yes, you can play poker online by accessing sweepstakes poker sites like ClubWPT or Stake US, which operate under federal sweepstakes law and do not violate any Louisiana regulations. Additionally, if you want to play for real money, you can also explore offshore poker sites like CoinPoker.
Louisiana Online Poker Facts
| Available options | Sweepstakes operators & offshore sites |
| State-regulated poker sites | Not available |
| Age limit for Louisiana online poker | 21+ |
| Best LA poker site | CoinPoker |
Best Online Poker Sites in Louisiana
While you might not be able to enjoy popular platforms like PokerStars that players in some other US states can, there’s still a very solid selection of online poker sites to explore. Below are our top three picks for the best online poker sites in Louisiana:
#1. CoinPoker – The Best Pick for Louisiana Players
CoinPoker stands out as a premier cryptocurrency-based poker platform, offering players worldwide the opportunity to play various poker formats using USDT. The site boasts a generous 150% welcome bonus up to $2,000 and a consistent 33% rakeback for all players.
With a solid schedule of daily and weekly tournaments, along with action-packed cash games, CoinPoker provides an engaging experience. The site uses proprietary software specifically developed for it, and the interface is very straightforward and user-friendly.
#2 ClubWPT Gold – Customizable User-Friendly Software
WPT’s sweepstakes ClubWPT Gold site offers Texas Hold’em games, with plenty of ring games and MTTs to choose from. The platform supports multi-tabling, allowing up to four ring game tables to be open simultaneously in the downloadable desktop app. While the mobile version is browser-based, it also offers a seamless on-the-go experience.
ClubWPT Gold offers a user-friendly software experience with several notable features. Some of the features that stand out most include optional straddles, a customizable bet slider, and built-in player stats such as VPIP and PFR.
#3. Stake US – Super-Soft Texas Hold’em and PLO Action
If you want super-soft action and a great selection of tournament, ring game, and sit-and-go formats, Stake US is a great pick. The site starts you off with a 55 SC free welcome bonus and usually has at least one or two promotions running for its regular members at all times.
It stands out by offering weekly free rolls and tournaments with redeemable prizes, letting you play without large deposits. Even though it has a fairly high rake compared to the competition, the membership system rewards activity and provides rakeback, making it appealing even to budget players.
Free Poker vs Real-Money Games
Online poker comes in two main forms: real-money poker and sweepstakes poker. Real-money platforms allow players to deposit cash, place bets, and withdraw winnings directly. This prevents them from operating in states like Louisiana, where online poker isn’t regulated.
This is where sweepstakes poker sites provide a fully legal alternative. Instead of cash deposits, players use virtual currencies to enter tournaments and games, often with prizes redeemable for real money. Gameplay feels very similar to traditional online poker, offering familiar formats like Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and multi-table tournaments, but without any potential legal concerns.
Sweepstakes Model Explained
The sweepstakes poker model uses two types of virtual currency: Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Gold Coins are purely for entertainment and cannot be exchanged for cash, while Sweeps Coins are the prize-eligible currency that can be redeemed for real money.
To illustrate how this model works, let’s go over a quick example. Let’s say you purchase a $50 Gold Coin package. That package might include 300,000 Gold Coins for casual play and 50 Sweeps Coins for tournament entry.
You use these 50 Sweeps Coins to enter a tournament and win 100 Sweeps Coins. As these Sweeps coins are usually valued at 1 SC, which equals $1, these winnings can be redeemed for $100 in cash. This approach allows Louisiana residents to enjoy the excitement, strategy, and competition of poker in a legal format, without directly wagering cash or violating state gambling laws.
Regulation Landscape in Louisiana
Louisiana has a long history of regulated gambling, including riverboat casinos, racinos, and state lotteries. However, online poker is currently unregulated. The state legalized online sports betting in 2022, but there is no legislation for online poker, so licensed platforms cannot operate there.
Attempts to introduce online poker bills have been limited, and lawmakers remain cautious about expanding gambling beyond existing casino and sports betting frameworks. While some industry analysts speculate that Louisiana may eventually consider online poker legislation, especially if neighboring states expand their laws in this direction, no concrete timeline currently exists.