Legalizing Sports Betting In Lousiana For 2020 In Talks

• The Chief Louisiana Regulator is leaning towards legalizing sports betting in Louisiana in 2020.
• The House denied legalizing sports betting in 2019 but is considering it in next session.
• All interested parties are hoping to formulate a perfect bill before making a final decision.

LOUISIANA – Legalizing sports betting in Louisiana has been in conversations lately.

Efforts halted during the 2019 legislative session, as amendments were made to LA SB 153 the bill that would have allowed sports betting in the state but wasn’t supported by the House.

Focusing On Legalizing Sports Betting In 2020

Next year’s session is slated to begin on March 9th and is also expected to signal an attempt to legalize sports betting in Louisiana. To cut down on unnecessary arguments in the future, Jones hopes that legislators intending to offer a sports betting operation can come to a mutual decision.

Sports betting taxes and fees that the state government will collect has yet to be discussed within the new proposal but only who will offer the activity. This will only add a delay to the legalization, as state rules require that bills that address taxes within the state are only considered every other year.

The focus of mobile sports betting will also be brought to the forefront of conversations. While the industry would certainly help the near two-dozen casinos in the state, many bettors prefer to use their mobile devices to wager.

“I do not believe that legislators are yet comfortable with mobile applications,” said Ronnie Jones, chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. “I, on the other hand, have absolute confidence in mobile applications like those in New Jersey, but legislators simply aren’t there yet. And I will always be respectful of the opinion of those policy makers.”

Although sports betting has not made its way to the state of Louisiana yet, the state will welcome the industry well. Home to the New Orleans Saints, where the fans are known to dress up in costumes and attend the games shouting nonstop, the interest of sports bettors is clearly evident.

The only question lies within the state lawmakers, as they attempt to look into legalizing sports betting for yet another year.

News tags: Louisiana | Ronnie Jones