The Louisiana House of Representatives recently voted 71-24 to pass SB 130, a bill that authorizes language that would appear on the November ballot in a voter referendum on sports betting.
The measure earlier passed the Senate and still requires Governor John Bel Edwards’ signature before it can be placed on the ballot.
The ballot issue, to be answered by voters in each parish, asks, “Shall sports wagering activities and operations be permitted in the parish?”
A second sports betting bill, SB 378, includes the referendum language and also names the Louisiana Gaming Control Board as the regulator and defines sports wagering as “the business of accepting wagers on any sports event or sports contest by any system or method of wagering.” Observers said the wording would seem to allow statewide mobile sports betting.
In addition, the Senate voted 31-3 to approve House Bill 357, which would establish regulations for daily fantasy sports; DFS was approved by voters in 47 of 64 parishes in 2018. The measure still needs the approval of the House before being sent to the governor.
Regulations include requiring DFS operators to be licensed by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board; requiring participants in the competitions for cash prizes to be at least 21 years old; and the imaginary teams may not involve participants in high school or youth sports events.
State Rep. Barrow Peacock said taxes for sports betting and daily fantasy sports will be addressed in an upcoming special session.
