On Wednesday 27 March, State Senator Danny Martiny, pre-filed the 2019 Louisiana Sports Wagering Control Act.
The bill, also referred to as SB 153, would allow the state’s casinos and horse racing tracks to apply for sports betting licenses through the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB).
Eligible venues will be able to offer odds on professional and collegiate sporting events.
The proposed legislation does not discuss a tax rate or licensing fee for sports betting in Louisiana. On top of this, mobile sports betting will be permitted but the language used in the bill suggests mobile sports betting will be limited to on-site betting.
The bill says: “Electronic sports wagers shall be placed only in the gaming area of the riverboat, eligible facility, or official gaming establishment as determined by the board.”
If implemented, mobile sports betting in Louisiana will share similarities with the Mississippi mobile sports betting model as mobile betting in Mississippi is currently limited to on-site wagering.
Several other states have introduced legislation that would permit on-site mobile wagering
The introduction of this bill comes months after the state of Louisiana voted to legalize daily fantasy sports games. The legislation to legalize daily fantasy sports was also introduced by Senator Martiny.
It appears that SB 153 will go through a similar process as the state’s daily fantasy sports bill which was approved by 47 of the state’s 64 parishes.
Voters in Louisiana will be required to vote to authorize sports betting at a parish level. The bill proposes a vote to take place on 12 October. From there, eligible venues in parishes that approve sports betting could begin applying for sports betting licenses.
In other regulatory news, last week Rhode Island’s Governor signed a bill that would allow the state’s casinos to offer mobile sports betting.
