In a 14-6 vote, the Louisiana House Appropriations Committee involuntarily deferred SB 153, which would have allowed sports betting on a parish-by-parish vote. The bill’s chances went from positive to impossible after an earlier 16-5 vote to keep the bill in committee. But time’s running out, as the legislature will adjourn on June 6.
Observers said the measure was brought down by two questionable amendments. One would have mandated the use of official league data. State Rep. Jack McFarland said, “We want the statistics and data for each game to come from the official sports organization which is participating.”
But the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Danny Martiny, said, “What these people want to do is they want to be able to provide data. I’m assuming they’re not providing it free of charge. From what I’m told, in the areas where sports gaming takes place, this does not occur. And it’s not a problem.” To date only Tennessee has passed a sports betting bill with this requirement.
The second amendment would have allowed any location with video poker terminals to convert them into sports betting kiosks. With 2,800 video poker parlors in the state, the amendment would have expanded legal wagering on professional, college and international sports events far beyond the state’s 16 casinos and four racetracks included in the original bill.
Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty said, “With the amendments that have been loaded onto this bill, it is untenable. You have now put enough baggage on the plane it will not get airborne.” After the language was changed to include the video poker locations, the casinos’ lobbyist said the measure was too broad and couldn’t pass. Martiny said it was so overloaded with objectionable amendments it couldn’t win enough votes even if it reached the House floor.
Martiny presented the bill as a solution to residents already betting on sports through bookies, online offshore sites and at Mississippi casinos. He argued Louisiana should regulate and tax the wagers and direct revenue to early childhood education. Opposition immediately sprang up in the more conservative House and its budget committee among lawmakers against gambling. Also, the state’s gambling interests put up roadblocks.
The House also rejected House Bill 587, which would establish sports betting taxing and regulation, in a 65-27 vote; 70 votes were needed.
However, the House did pass two bills creating the framework for regulating and taxing fantasy sports contests, which were legalized in 47 or the state’s 64 parishes in November. The rules will take effect July 1.
Fantasy sports contest operators like FanDuel and DraftKings will be required to purchase a license from the state Gaming Control Board and DFS revenue would be taxed at 15 percent, with 10 percent going to early childhood education and five percent to parish governments. Players would have to be at least 21 years old. Geofencing will assure players can log into the online sites if they’re located within a parish that allows the games.
