Saints Preseason Struggles Coincide with Rising Louisiana Betting Numbers

This content was produced in partnership with betting.us.

The New Orleans Saints’ preseason may not have brought much cheer, but Louisiana’s sportsbooks were already heating up. As summer closed and football took center stage, the state saw betting numbers climb steadily, proof that anticipation alone can move the market.

Louisiana bettors are used to August marking the return of football chatter, and this year was no exception. Even before the regular season kicked off in September, sportsbooks in the Pelican State were seeing stronger handles, fueled by preseason interest in the Saints and early college football wagers. The Saints went 0-2-1 in August exhibitions under new head coach Kellen Moore, but roster decisions and quarterback debates ensured fans stayed invested, both emotionally and financially.

That kind of engagement doesn’t just show up in the Superdome; it shows up in the betting slips as well. With more fans getting involved every season, it helps to have a clear picture of how the state’s market is structured and what options are available.

A Guide to Louisiana’s Betting Market

If you want to get a better sense of how Louisiana sports betting works in practice, you can view the official website. It breaks down which sportsbooks are licensed locally and how the mobile apps compare to betting in person. You’ll also see what to expect from features like live wagers, parlays and cashing out your winnings. This resource also highlights offers and withdrawals, giving you a useful reference before placing a bet on the Saints or following LSU on a Saturday.

Those foundations help explain why Louisiana’s betting market kept climbing through the summer. Both July and August showed clear year-over-year growth, setting the stage for the strongest summer finish the state has recorded.

From July Margins to August Momentum

July provided an early indication of what might be coming. Sportsbooks handled $226.7 million, up 23 percent year on year, and generated $31.4 million in revenue. The state collected $4.65 million in taxes thanks to one of the strongest hold rates in the country at nearly 14 percent. Baseball’s unpredictability, the popularity of parlays and futures bets on football all contributed to the higher margins.

By August, the handle had climbed to $271.4 million, almost $120 million more than in the same month a year ago. Revenue followed, hitting more than $32 million. That made August the clearest signal yet that Louisiana bettors were gearing up for football.

Why a Winless Preseason Still Drew Attention

The Saints themselves did not enjoy a winning preseason after major roster cuts, but a quarterback competition between Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough gave fans plenty to debate. Each showed flashes — Rattler moving the offense with short passes, Shough scrambling for a touchdown — and those storylines added to the excitement. For sportsbooks, these debates matter. A contested QB battle creates interest not only in futures and props but even in exhibition games that otherwise might be overlooked.

That connection between storylines and atmosphere is hard to separate in Louisiana. Football weekends carry more than scorelines; you hear brass bands spilling out from the French Quarter, smell the grills outside Tiger Stadium and feel the buzz long before kickoff. That same energy has a way of showing up in betting slips as much as in the stands.

It helps explain why Louisiana’s betting handle kept rising through the summer. Even before the regular season began, wagering behavior was shifting, and now that the NFL schedule is underway, September’s figures are expected to cross back over the $300 million mark, with both pro and college football pushing activity to unprecedented levels.

What Sets Louisiana’s Betting Market Apart

Louisiana’s system combines mobile and retail wagers, with a 15 percent tax on online play and a 10 percent tax on in-person bets. That hybrid structure means mobile activity leads the way, but local venues still matter from New Orleans to Shreveport. It also ensures that every weekend of football carries a tangible economic benefit.

Compared to neighboring states, Louisiana’s resilience over the summer stands out. While baseball-heavy months can drag down activity elsewhere, Louisiana’s diverse operator roster — from Caesars and FanDuel to BetMGM, DraftKings, BetRivers, and Fanatics — kept the market lively. A mix of national giants and regional brands has fueled double-digit revenue growth year on year.

Regular Season Kickoff Brings Higher Stakes

With the regular season now underway, the expectation is that Louisiana will build on this foundation. Industry analysts project the state could finish 2025 with more than $4 billion in total wagers placed if current trends hold. September is the first true test, and the opening weekends of both the NFL and NCAA football should push handle well beyond the summer peak, setting benchmarks for the months ahead.

For Saints fans, the football itself has been uneven since their opening preseason game against the Chargers, with early losses piling up through September. However, betting activity shows that interest isn’t fading; if anything, it’s holding firm despite the Saints’ underwhelming start. Even if the Saints struggle through Moore’s first season, people in Louisiana are still putting money down, a reminder of just how resilient and passionate the state’s betting scene has become.

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