April Revenue Insights
BATON ROUGE, June 26, 2025 — Louisiana's sports betting market showed resilience in April 2025, generating substantial revenue despite a decline in total wagers compared to previous months. April saw $343.8 million in wagers (handle), down from March’s $386.4 million, yet sportsbooks still posted solid earnings.
April 2025 Revenue Breakdown
| Month | Handle ($M) | Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) ($M) | Hold % | Tax Revenue ($M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | $382.9 | $40.9 | 10.68% | $5.92 |
| Feb | $381.2 | $47.6 | 12.49% | $7.03 |
| Mar | $386.4 | $27.9 | 7.21% | $4.09 |
| Apr | $343.8 | $38.4 | 11.18% | $5.83 |
Revenue Insights & Comparison
Despite April’s handle dropping 11% from March, revenue increased significantly by approximately 38%, from $27.9 million in March to $38.4 million in April. This highlights stronger profitability for Louisiana's eight sportsbooks, driven by a higher hold percentage.
The 11.18% hold in April surpassed the year-to-date average of 10.39%, indicating better outcomes for sportsbooks compared to bettors. This figure was notably stronger than March's 7.21%, suggesting a month of favorable results for sportsbooks, especially in baseball and basketball betting markets.
Tax revenues closely tracked the revenue upswing. Although April tax revenue ($5.83 million) did not match February’s high ($7.03 million), it marked a significant rebound from March’s dip ($4.09 million).
June 2025 Legislative Developments
Louisiana's sports betting landscape will see major changes following Governor Jeff Landry’s approval of HB 639, which increases online sports betting taxes from 15% to 21.5%, effective August 1, 2025. This policy aims to enhance funding for higher education, particularly collegiate athletics.
Approximately 25% of the increased online sports betting tax, estimated at around $24 million annually, will directly support Louisiana’s 11 Division I public universities. Each institution stands to gain around $1.7 to $2 million per year, funding scholarships, medical services, and facility enhancements, but excluding direct NIL payments.
The tax hike also addresses Louisiana’s projected $338.9 million fiscal deficit in 2026, marking the state's proactive financial strategy through regulated sports betting.
Louisiana Sports Betting Overview
Louisiana legalized sports betting on June 22, 2021, and launched operations in January 2022. Since then, the state has established itself as a dynamic market, with eight major licensed sportsbooks:
- Bet365
- betMGM
- BetRivers
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings
- ESPN BET
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- FanDuel
April’s data speaks to the resilience and profitability potential of the Louisiana market, even amid fluctuating monthly handles. With the new tax structure, Louisiana positions itself uniquely by directly linking sports betting proceeds to education and state financial stability, potentially serving as a model for other states.
The upcoming months will reveal how operators adapt to these fiscal adjustments, possibly influencing promotions, odds pricing, and overall market competitiveness. As the August tax increase approaches, stakeholders, from sportsbooks to bettors, will closely monitor its impacts, setting the stage for a significant industry shift.
