In May 2026, Louisiana sportsbooks recorded an impressive $317,974,369 in wagers, reflecting a 5.76% increase year-over-year.

This activity generated $44,796,079 in gross gaming revenue, resulting in a solid 14.09% hold for the state. Consequently, tax revenues surged to $9,477,597, marking a remarkable 41% rise compared to the previous year. The standout figure, however, comes from the breakdown by sport: parlays alone contributed $33.6 million in net proceeds, accounting for approximately 77% of the total earnings and more than tripling the combined total from individual sports.

When examining Louisiana’s sportsbook revenue closely, it’s clear that parlays dominate the landscape. In May, parlays yielded $33.6 million in net proceeds, while all straight bets on baseball, basketball, football, and soccer combined only generated about $5.9 million. Even when factoring in the “other” category, total non-parlay wagering barely reached $10 million, which is less than one-third of what parlays alone provided.

The driving force behind this phenomenon is the margin. Each additional leg a bettor includes in a parlay extends the odds and enhances the operator’s edge, meaning that a series of long-shot multi-leg tickets generates significantly more revenue for the house per dollar wagered compared to a single-game bet. This dynamic explains why Louisiana’s hold rests near 14%, significantly higher than the single-digit margins often seen in states where straight betting is prevalent.

Clearly, parlays are not just a side feature but the main attraction in this market. Within the realm of traditional wagers, the distribution in May was telling. Baseball topped the list with $2.75 million in net proceeds as the MLB season gained momentum, closely followed by basketball at $2.27 million due to the NCAA and NBA postseason matches. Football, predictably, saw only $116,000 in revenue during its off-month, while soccer brought in $713,717—a modest total typical for a spring season preceding a major international tournament.