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The Louisiana Gaming Control Board has unanimously approved emergency sports betting rules, which will allow Louisiana casinos and racetracks to apply for temporary sports betting licenses. The licenses apply only to in-person betting, not online, and regulators are optimistic that operators will be up and running by mid-to-late September.
Why Emergency Rules?
Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns, who was appointed by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards in July, is the main driver behind the state’s new emergency laws.
Since it will take a lot of time for permanent rules to be decided upon and implemented, the emergency rules will allow Louisiana to offer sports betting as soon as possible, while giving regulators the time they need to draft permanent rules. The emergency sports betting rules will be in effect for 180 days, though there is an option to extend.
Plans for Sports Betting Expansion
Getting in-person sports betting operational at state casinos and racetracks is phase one of Louisiana’s gambling expansion. Phase two includes launching online and mobile sports betting, though, according to Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns, there is no timeline in place for hitting this mark.
Phase three of Louisiana’s sports betting expansion includes allowing smaller venues like restaurants and bars to apply for sports betting licenses.
Industry experts anticipate that the Louisiana sports betting market will generate $2.5 billion in bets and over $200 million in operator revenue. Naturally, the state will receive a much-needed boost to its coffers from sports betting taxes. The sooner Louisiana regulators can get all phases of their sports betting plan into place, the sooner the state (and sports betting fans) can start enjoying the industry’s full potential.
