It's been a year since mobile sports wagering came on line in Louisiana.
"It's our second Super Bowl. The first one came in 2022. It had only been two weeks since we had rolled out mobile sports betting," remembers Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns. "So…we know we have a lot more customers, we still anticipate a tremendous amount of activity in Louisiana."
That's putting it mildly.
Mobile sports wagering is what's driving the betting business in the state, by far.
"Mobile has been about 85% of all sports betting," Johns says. "It is going to be the absolute predominant form of betting."
How much money is going to be wagered in Louisiana on the Super Bowl? Johns won't make a prediction but he does say:
"It very well could be in the $200-million dollar range. Somewhere in that neighborhood, we're just quite sure yet what it's going to be. We just haven't had enough historical data to go by."
Johns says whether it's mobile or traditional sports book wagering, he says the Super Bowl will bring out those who are looking for action.
"We also have a number of new retail sports books that are open. Big Harrahs in New Orleans has opened up their new big sports book. The Golden Nugget in Lake Charles has opened up their big sports book. There's a lot of factors that could go with this."
One factor that looks to make a significant difference is bettors coming from out of state in Louisiana to make their bets and stay for the game on Super Bowl Sunday.
"Ironically you get people who come into the retail sports books to be part of the activity to be part of the crowd, for the amenities there, but they sit in the sports book and make their bets on their phones anyway."
Johns expects a lot of people will visit Lake Charles casinos from Texas and Shreveport will see visitors from Arkansas.
"We absolutely anticipate a big day of wagering. Historically the Super Bowl is the one event that garners more wagering activity than any other event around the country," Johns says.
How much money gets bet on this one game?
"The American Gaming Association is estimating over $5-billion will be wagered on the Super Bowl."
And a significant chunk of that number will be wagered here in Louisiana.