The political committee Fairness for Fantasy Sports in Louisiana reported it raised $154,135 in September to fund an advertising campaign urging voters to support a proposition on the November 6 ballot that would legalize online fantasy sports apps, like FanDuel and DraftKings. FanDuel contributed $154,000 of that total, and DraftKings is expected to donate as well, said committee chairman Ryan Bernie, a former aide to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
The issue was approved to appear on the ballot last May by Governor John Bel Edwards and the state legislature, Berni said. He added Louisiana is the only state where a ballot initiative is required for DFS to become legal. More than 50 percent of voters in every parish must approve the measure, meaning DFS could be legal in one parish but not in another.
Even if the ballot measure is approved, it’s not clear when DFS apps would be operational in Louisiana. Legislation setting up a tax structure and regulations would have to be approved, but the state legislature won’t reconvene until April. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board is supposed to write DFS rules in the next few months if the issue is approved. Questions regarding electronic fencing and other issues remain, said Chairman Ronnie Jones.
Louisiana is one of only nine states where FanDuel and DraftKings do not operate. In Louisiana and four other states, DFS is illegal. Fan Duel and DraftKings have pulled out of four others, including Alabama due to conflicts with state governments or regulations they questioned.
The Louisiana Family Forum, a network of more than 1,000 conservative churches, opposes DFS apps. The group’s President Gene Mills said the organization opposes gambling and feels minors can too easily access DFS apps.
