The atomic structure and magnetic properties of $LaCo_{13}$ amorphous alloy have been investigated and compared with those of its crystalline counterpart. It has been confirmed that the amorphous alloy is composed of the icosahedral clusters with a $NaZn_{13}$-type structure. The magnetic moment and the spin- wave stiffness constant obtained from the magnetic measurements in the amorphous state are larger than those in the crystalline state. The Curie temperature estimated from the reduced magnetization curve for the former is much higher than the value for the latter. The localized magnetic moment character in the amorphous state is stronger than that in the crystalline state.