While rumors continue to swirl that online sports betting could launch in time for the National Football League playoffs, Louisiana Gaming Commission Chairman Ronnie Johns said no date has been set. Johns said, “There is some misinformation that we’re going to launch sports betting next week in conjunction with the NFL playoffs. While we very much would like to do that, it’s definitely not accurate. We are working literally on a daily basis to finalize all of the compliance issues and the technical issues with sports betting.”
Johns said he hopes online sports wagering will begin before the Super Bowl on February 13, but even that start date isn’t certain. Johns explained he can’t sign off on a date until the State Police send him their recommendation. “We’re going to roll it out as quickly as we can, but we’re going to roll it out the right way. We want to make sure that it’s ready to go,” Johns said.
He added the State Police also are reviewing geofencing technology which would assure only wagerers in the 55 of 64 parishes that approved online sports betting can place bets. “The technology is there. It’s very accurate. We’ve seen it in other states, and we know that it works, but we just have to make absolutely sure that that it’s working properly here in Louisiana before we roll it out,” Johns said.
Bettors still can place sports bets in person across the state. Johns said currently 13 licenses are in operation statewide, and seven licenses are pending.
Analysts forecast sports betting will produce $30 million in annual revenue for Louisiana, with one-quarter up to $20 million going to early childhood and the remaining 10 percent going to parish governments. Up to $500,000 will be directed to the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling.
Johns said as they wait for the launch of online sports betting, gamblers can sign up with licensed operators.
