Louisiana Lawmakers Send Sports Betting Harassment Bill to Gov. Landry’s Desk
Louisiana’s legislature has approved a measure that expands the powers of the state’s Gaming Control Board, sending it to Governor Jeff Landry for signature. Senate Bill 325, sponsored by Senator Reese, amends existing law to create new grounds for excluding individuals from sports wagering.
The bill is aimed at protecting athletes, officials, and others involved in sporting events from harassment and threats tied to betting. It requires the board to establish rules for removing people from retail sportsbooks and mobile wagering platforms if they engage in threatening conduct.
The legislation builds on Louisiana’s existing framework for excluding cheaters, repeat offenders, and those who disrupt gaming operations, but adds a specific focus on harassment linked to sports betting.
Expanded exclusion rules for sports wagering
Under the bill, the GCB must maintain a list of excluded persons. This list already covers individuals suspected of cheating, those with revoked gaming licenses, or people whose presence is considered harmful to the integrity of operations.
Senate Bill 325 adds new categories, including anyone who “before, during, or after a sporting event, threaten[s] violence or harm against any person who is involved in the sporting event, where the threat is related to sports gaming.”
The law makes clear that exclusion cannot be based on a person’s skill level, race, sex, or other protected characteristics. Once placed on the list, individuals are formally notified by personal service or certified mail.
They may petition the board for removal, but the burden of proof rests on them to show they no longer meet the criteria. Entering a gaming establishment after being excluded can lead to fines of up to $500 or imprisonment for six months.
The board also gains authority to sanction licensees who fail to enforce exclusions. Repeated violations could result in suspension or revocation of a casino’s license. Hearings must be held within thirty days for anyone contesting their placement on the list.
The bill also strengthens accountability for operators, requiring them to act against individuals who pose risks to patrons, employees, or the integrity of gaming.
Other gaming bills advancing in Louisiana
In addition to SB325, many other bills are making their way through the Louisiana legislature. One of the most significant is House Bill 53 from Rep. Bryan Fontenot, which would make illegal gambling a racketeering felony.
The proposal folds a range of offences into the state’s RICO statute, including gambling in public, betting through computers or sweepstakes devices, unlawful wagering by prohibited players, and bribery of sports participants.
Lawmakers cleared the bill with strong margins in both chambers, 86–11 in the House and 27–9 in the Senate, and because no amendments were added, it was quickly enrolled and sent to Governor Jeff Landry.
If signed, violators could face penalties of up to 50 years in prison, marking one of the toughest stances yet against illegal gambling in the state.
Another measure, House Bill 883, also targets sweepstakes casinos but takes a different approach. Passed unanimously in the House by a 99–0 vote, it defines sweepstakes casinos as gambling by computer, focusing on online contests or games that use dual currencies and allow players to convert winnings into cash.
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