Up on the Atlantic seaboard, New Jersey is known for its beaches and suburban areas, which make it the US’s most densely populated state.
Down in the south, Louisiana stands on the Gulf of Mexico and is characterized by its subtropical swamps and the iconic Mississippi. The state’s cultural heritage is influenced by French, Spanish, and African traditions.
In a sporting context, New Jersey is home to well-known professional sports teams.
In the National Football League (NFL), both the New York Giants and New York Jets play their home games at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
In the National Hockey League (NHL), New Jersey Devils represent the state.
New Jersey also has a Major League Soccer (MLS) team called the New York Red Bulls, who play in Harrison.
But Louisiana sports fans are also passionate of the state’s top professional teams too.
In the NFL, the New Orleans Saints play at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Louisiana may not have an NHL or MLS team, but it does have the popular New Orleans Pelicans, in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Both states also have a strong presence in college sports, particularly in football and basketball.
New Jersey’s top college sports teams include the Scarlet Knights from Rutgers University. They compete in the NCAA Division I and are members of the Big Ten Conference.
Louisiana’s flagship team is the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers. LSU has won multiple national championships.
Other prominent college sports programs include the Tulane University Green Wave and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.
In the world of horse racing, New Jersey is known for the thoroughbred and harness events at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford.
Louisiana has a prominent venue called the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. It is one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the United States and hosts the prestigious Louisiana Derby.
New Jersey has hosted landmark sporting events, including the Super Bowl and WrestleMania. The state’s proximity to New York City also allows fans to access a wide range of professional sports events and competitions there too.
But Louisiana is also known for its passionate sports culture. New Orleans, in particular, is famous for hosting events like the Super Bowl and the NCAA Final Four. The city’s lively fan culture creates a unique atmosphere during games, especially for the New Orleans Saints.
In terms of wagering on sport, New Jersey has been at the forefront of legalizing US sports betting.
In 2018, the state successfully challenged the federal ban on sports betting and became one of the first states to offer legal sports wagering.
Since then, New Jersey has established a well-regulated and thriving sports betting industry, offering locals both online and in-person betting options.
Louisiana, on the other hand, has only recently embraced sports betting.
In 2020, voters in the state approved a ballot measure to legalize sports wagering, paving the way for its legislation to be signed in 2021.
This meant that mobile and online sports betting officially launched in Louisiana in 2022.
In New Jersey, sports betting is now widely available and accessible. The state has a significant number of licensed sportsbooks operating both in brick-and-mortar establishments and online platforms.
This allows both residents and visitors to place bets from smartphones, computers, or at physical sportsbook locations.
While Louisiana is more of a newcomer, the availability and accessibility of sports betting already includes licensed sportsbooks at physical locations such as casinos and racetracks.
The state’s sports betting industry is expected to be similar to New Jersey once it is fully established.
Already by November 2022 Louisiana was seeing around 300 million bets being placed per month. The state made around $26.5 million from taxes in its first year of legalized sports betting.
At the time of writing, both New Jersey and Louisiana offer a wide range of betting options to cover all the popular sports such as football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer.
Both New Jersey and Louisiana offer online sports betting, allowing residents and visitors to place bets conveniently from anywhere within their states’ borders. Licensed online sportsbooks offer user-friendly platforms and a wide selection of betting options.
In both states sportsbook promos are competitive, depending on the market.
New Jersey had a head start and quickly embraced sports betting as part of its culture.
The state’s proximity to major cities like New York and Philadelphia, combined with a passionate sports fan base contributed to a vibrant sports betting culture.
Sportsbooks and sports betting lounges have become popular destinations for socializing and watching sporting events.
Louisiana has a deep-rooted sports culture too, particularly around football. The state’s enthusiastic fan base, coupled with the legalization of sports betting, is similarly rapidly creating a lively and sociable sports betting culture.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
