NHL Betting: The Best Online Sportsbooks in Louisiana for Hockey

Louisiana legalized sports betting in November 2020, and online betting launched on January 28, 2022. The state now has 8 licensed sportsbooks competing for your action across 55 approved parishes. Sharp NHL odds, deep player props, constant promos, and serious line shopping opportunities make Louisiana one of the most competitive betting markets in the nation, even without a home team.

Is NHL Betting Legal in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana legalized sports betting on November 3, 2020, when voters approved Amendment 1 by referendum. Online betting launched on January 28, 2022.

Quick facts:

You must be 21 or older. Louisiana's sports betting operates on a parish-by-parish basis. You must be physically located within one of the 55 parishes that approved sports betting to place legal mobile wagers. Nine parishes opted out entirely: Evangeline, Livingston, Morehouse, Rapides, Red River, Richland, St. Landry, Union, and West Carroll. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) regulates all sports betting activity. Louisiana currently has 8 licensed online sportsbooks as of November 2025: FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, bet365, BetRivers, Fanatics, and ESPN BET. Remote registration is allowed, sign up and bet entirely through mobile apps from anywhere in an approved parish. Geofencing verifies your location.

Read more: Best Sports Betting Bonuses and Promos in Louisiana

Legal books protect your funds and offer consumer protections impossible on offshore sites. Stick with licensed operators.

Top Sportsbooks for NHL Betting in Louisiana

Louisiana's loaded with options. Here's where to bet hockey based on what matters most.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel launched in Louisiana in January 2022 and remains the top choice. Sharp puck line pricing, extensive player props (shots, assists, goals, saves, power play points), responsive live betting, and creative NHL same-game parlays. Phenomenal mobile app with real-time goalie and injury updates. No minimum withdrawal requirement. Frequent NHL-specific promotions.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Win $300 in Bonus Bets + 3 months NBA League Pass (varies seasonally).

Best for: All Louisiana hockey bettors, FanDuel is the default choice.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings excels at individual player props, pulling from their daily fantasy sports expertise. Shots on goal, assists, blocked shots markets are deep. Flash Bets allow rapid in-game wagering. Shared wallet between DFS and sportsbook is convenient. Large player base and consistent availability.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets + 3 months NBA League Pass (terms vary).

Best for: Prop-focused bettors and DFS players.

Shurzy Tip: DraftKings' Flash Bets are clutch for live betting. Quick one-tap wagers during power plays or momentum shifts, no fumbling through menus while the game's moving.

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars is phenomenal all-around with sharp NHL pricing, the industry's best loyalty program (Caesars Rewards), and daily odds boosts on select NHL markets. Live streaming of select games, responsive live betting, and exceptional customer service (24/7 via live chat, email, phone).

Welcome offer: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Your Next 20 Bets (code SBO20X).

Best for: Bettors focused on long-term loyalty value and daily boosts.

Shurzy Tip: Caesars Rewards is legit for regular bettors. Stack points, cash them in for Vegas trips, concerts, or comped dinners. Your bookie won't do that.

BetMGM

BetMGM runs aggressive promotional calendars with NHL-specific boosts on rivalry games, national broadcasts, and playoff action. Dedicated goalie props (saves over/under, shutout odds) and deep team props. "One Game Parlay" feature is excellent for hockey SGPs. Fast and easy bet placement.

Welcome offer: Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if your first wager doesn't win.

Best for: Promotion hunters and parlay enthusiasts.

bet365

bet365 is globally renowned for its best-in-class live betting platform. NHL in-game odds update in real-time with exceptional speed. Live streaming of select events, early cash-out options, and the deepest futures markets available. The platform offers superior coverage of European hockey leagues if you're interested beyond NHL.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 or $1,000 First Bet Safety Net.

Best for: Live-action bettors and futures-focused players.

BetRivers

BetRivers was one of the first online sportsbooks to launch in Louisiana (January 2022) and offers NHL live streaming on select games, a rare feature. Odds are competitive, prop depth is solid, and the platform is reliable. 2nd Chance Bet feature (up to $500 refund).

Welcome offer: 2nd Chance Bet up to $500 (code SPORTS).

Best for: Bettors who want to watch and bet NHL games in one platform.

Fanatics Sportsbook

Fanatics launched in Louisiana in 2024 with the FanCash rewards program, earn cash back on every bet, redeemable for merchandise or betting credits. Strong same-game parlay markets, daily odds boosts, and comprehensive NHL coverage. Modern platform design. Up to $200 daily FanCash back for 10 days if bets lose (up to $2,000 total).

Welcome offer: Bet and Get up to $2,000 in FanCash Bet Insurance.

Best for: Bettors who value rewards and sports merchandise.

Read more: NFL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Football Season

NHL Bet Types in Louisiana

Louisiana sportsbooks offer the full spectrum of NHL bets. Here's what you can play.

Moneyline Betting

Pick the winner, straight up. Shop for the best moneyline pricing across Louisiana's 8 books, prices vary.

Puck Line (-1.5 / +1.5)

Hockey's spread. Favorites must win by 2+ goals (-1.5), underdogs get a 1.5-goal cushion. Pricing varies between Louisiana books, always shop.

Shurzy Tip: With 8 sportsbooks in Louisiana, puck line shopping is mandatory. A -110 at FanDuel might be -105 at Caesars. Over a full season, that's real money. Don't be lazy.

Total Goals (Over/Under)

Usually set between 5.5 and 6.5 goals per game. Alternative totals available on all Louisiana books.

Player Props

The fastest-growing NHL market. Anytime goal scorer, shots on goal (3+, 4+), assists, saves (goalies), power play points, blocked shots, and time on ice (select books). DraftKings and Caesars offer the deepest menus.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About NBA Prop Betting

Period Betting

Bet specific periods: 1st-period moneyline, 1st-period total, 2nd-period total, 3rd-period moneyline. All Louisiana books offer period markets.

Shurzy Tip: Period betting is underrated for tight games. If you're expecting a defensive slugfest, bet the first-period under instead of the full game. You dodge empty-net chaos and overtime coin flips.

Team & Game Props

Team total goals, both teams to score, overtime (yes/no), winning margin, race to 3 goals. Available across all major Louisiana books.

NHL Parlays & Same Game Parlays

Standard and SGP options available across all Louisiana books. FanDuel and DraftKings lead on NHL SGPs.

NHL Futures Betting

Stanley Cup winner, Conference winners, division winners, Hart/Vezina/Calder Trophy odds, team win totals. bet365 and Caesars have deep futures markets.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

NHL Betting Bonuses & Promos in Louisiana

Louisiana's competitive market drives aggressive promotions. Here's what to watch for.

• Welcome Bonuses: All 8 sportsbooks offer new customer promotions. Current highlights include FanDuel's Bet $5, Get $300 + 3 months NBA League Pass, DraftKings' Bet $5, Get $200 + NBA League Pass, Caesars' double winnings on next 20 bets, BetMGM's up to $1,500 back if first bet loses, bet365's Bet $5, Get $150 or $1,000 Safety Net, BetRivers' 2nd Chance Bet up to $500, and Fanatics' up to $2,000 in FanCash Bet Insurance.
• Odds Boosts: Regional/divisional matchups and playoff action frequently feature boosted odds.
• Parlay Profit Boosts: 3+ leg parlays often receive 25-50% payout boosts across multiple books.
• Daily Boosts: Caesars offers daily boosts on select markets. Fanatics offers up to $200 daily FanCash back for 10 consecutive days if bets lose (up to $2,000 total).
• Playoff Specials: Stanley Cup Playoffs bring some of the best promotional value of the year.

Shurzy Tip: Check multiple sportsbook promotion tabs daily. Louisiana's competitive market means frequent, rotating offers. Track promo expiration dates and stack bonuses strategically. This is a bonus-hunting paradise.

Expert NHL Betting Tips for Louisiana Bettors

Here's how to bet smarter on hockey in Louisiana.

1. Check Your Parish: Ensure you're in one of the 55 parishes that approved sports betting. Geofencing will prevent wagering in the 9 opt-out parishes.
2. Watch Goalie Announcements Closely: A backup goalie can flip a line 2-3 goals instantly. Check official team sources 30 minutes before puck drop. Louisiana books update quickly, but there's often a brief window to capture value.
3. Consider Back-to-Back Situations: Teams playing consecutive nights face fatigue. The team on night two of a back-to-back allows more goals. Factor this into totals and puck lines.
4. Shurzy Tip: Back-to-backs hit differently in hockey. If a team's on the second night and traveling, fade them hard. Books price it in somewhat, but casual bettors sleep on this edge, especially late season.
5. Track Pace & Expected Goals (xG): Raw win/loss records can mislead. Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality and predicts future performance. Free resources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey.
6. Home-Ice Advantage Isn't Massive: NHL home advantage is modest, roughly 3-4% edge in win percentage. Don't overweight home teams, but use it as a tiebreaker when models are close.
7. Look for Underdog Value: NHL's low scoring creates frequent underdog wins. Moneylines and +1.5 puck lines often offer value overlooked by casual bettors.
8. Shop Louisiana's Deep Market: With 8 sportsbooks competing, pricing varies meaningfully. A 5-cent difference on a puck line or 10-cent difference on a moneyline compounds into real money over a season. Check at least 3 books before betting.

How to Start Betting on NHL Games in Louisiana

Getting started is simple. Here's the play-by-play.

• Check your parish: Confirm you're in one of the 55 parishes that approved sports betting (not one of the 9 opt-outs). Pick a licensed sportsbook from FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, bet365, BetRivers, Fanatics, or ESPN BET.
• Create an account: By downloading the app or visiting the website with accurate info (full name, DOB, address, last four of SSN). Must be 21+. Remote registration means you can open an account from anywhere in Louisiana (in an approved parish).
• Verify identity: By uploading your driver's license or passport. Deposit funds via debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, or e-wallets. Claim promotions by checking the "Promotions" tab for NHL-specific offers.
• Navigate to NHL/Hockey to find upcoming games with moneylines, puck lines, totals, and props. Compare odds across at least 3 books before placing bets. Place your first bet, start simple with moneylines, puck lines, or anytime goal scorer. Track results and refine your strategy over time.
• Beginner-friendly bets: Anytime goal scorer (lower variance), puck lines (better payouts), first-period unders (less chaotic).

Safe, Responsible Hockey Betting in Louisiana

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board ensures all 8 licensed sportsbooks comply with consumer protection laws. Your funds are protected, and identity verification prevents underage gambling.

All Louisiana sportsbooks offer deposit limits (daily, weekly, monthly), wager limits, time-out periods, and self-exclusion options. Use these tools proactively.

Responsible Gambling Resources:

• Louisiana Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-877-770-STOP (1-877-770-7867)
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
• Gamblers Anonymous: Meetings throughout Louisiana

If betting ever feels like a burden, reach out. Louisiana's resources are confidential and free.

Never bet money you can't afford to lose. Avoid chasing losses. Track your bets. Stick to a plan. Separate betting funds from your everyday account.

Final Thoughts: Louisiana's Best for NHL Betting

Louisiana's sports betting market is among the most mature and competitive in the nation with 8 licensed online sportsbooks competing for your attention.

FanDuel is the top overall choice, sharp pricing, deep props, excellent SGP markets, no minimum withdrawal. DraftKings excels for prop-focused bettors and DFS players. Caesars provides loyalty rewards, daily boosts, and exceptional mobile app. BetMGM leads on promotions and parlay betting. bet365 dominates live betting, live streaming, and market depth. BetRivers offers NHL live streaming capability. Fanatics has the best rewards program with daily FanCash boosts.