In Louisiana, 13 of the state’s 20 commercial casinos have applied for sports betting licenses and the rest are expected to apply before the January 1 deadline. As a result, sports wagering could launch within the next few weeks.
In fact, Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns could sign a sign a temporary certificate of operation, allowing a casino to immediately start offering in-person, on-site betting. “I am anticipating some recommendations very soon,” Johns said.
Several casinos are set to kick off sports betting as soon as the paperwork is completed, according to Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association, the trade association for the state’s riverboat, racetrack and land-based casinos.
Meanwhile, Johns said he’s waiting for reports from the Louisiana State Police who have been vetting operators, their employees and security and other procedures. Hurricane Ida delayed the process for about two weeks, due to troopers being reassigned from handling storm rescue and recovery. Johns said the troopers have returned to reviewing sports betting applications.
At first, Duty said, bettors will be able to make wagers in temporary sportsbooks inside casinos. Several are building multimillion-dollar facilities that will open next year.
Eventually, sports betting will be allowed via smartphones and from computers. Each casino will contract with two providers to handle geofencing, software and other requirements for mobile and computer betting.
In addition, the Louisiana Lottery Corp. is expected to oversee the installation and operation of betting kiosks in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, in January or later.
The state’s first sportsbook, operated by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana at its Paragon Casino Resort near Marksville, recently opened. Paragon and four other Native American-owned casinos are authorized to offer any games the state’s voters approve.
Last November, voters 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes approved sports betting. Wagers placed at sportsbooks will be taxed at 10 percent; online or mobile, 15 percent.
Analysts said gambling is expected to contribute $644.2 million in revenue to the current fiscal year’s budget, not including sports betting revenue. Gambling is the third-largest contributor to the state’s $9.9 billion general fund, behind income and sales taxes.
