Louisiana state Senator Danny Martiny recently introduced SB 153, the 2019 Louisiana Sports Wagering Control Act, which would allow the state’s 16 riverboat and land-based casinos and four racinos to offer betting on professional and college sports. Under the legislation, mobile betting would be permitted on-site in gambling facilities, following in-person registration. Martiny has stated he’d prefer statewide mobile wagering, but said he’s proceeding with caution. “In Louisiana, we consider putting new cushions in the casino seats an expansion because someone extra might show up,” he said.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board would develop rules for and regulate sports wagering. The annual license fee and tax rate have yet to be determined. The bill does not include an integrity fee to professional leagues and does not mandate the use of official league data.
The measure also requires local referendums on sports betting to be held in each of the state’s 64 parishes. A simple majority would be necessary to approve sports wagering. Last November in a statewide referendum on daily fantasy sports, 47 parishes voted in favor; those rejecting DFS primarily were rural parishes. The vote would be held October 12, and gambling facilities in parishes that approve sports betting could apply to the state for a certificate to offer it starting January 1, 2020. As a result, sports betting would be legal in Louisiana in time for the 2020-2021 National Football League season.
Analysts projected sports betting could generate $245-$288 million in annual revenue for the state.
Louisiana’s legislative session began the first week of April and will end the first week of June.
