June 14, 2021
Months after most Louisiana sports betting was approved by voters, lawmakers have passed the rules which will allow wagers to be places through betting sites, mobile apps, and kiosks in parishes where the activity was approved.
Voters in 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes agreed to allow sports betting on live-action games, but lawmakers had to set the rules and the tax rates before the gambling can begin. The tax bill received final legislative passage earlier in the session. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to sign the measure into law, and Louisiana sports betting should begin as early as the fall.
Gamblers will need to be 21 tears of age or older, and they will need to set up an account with a sports betting operator in the state. No bets will be allowed on high school or youth sports. Athletes, coaches and referees will not be allowed to bet on a sports event in which they are involved.
People who live in parishes that did not approve sports betting can still bet of games if the like, but they will need to travel to a parish where sports betting was legalized.
Plans are to allow 20 licenses for Louisiana sports betting operators, with casinos and racetracks given the first opportunities. If the state casinos and racetracks do not use all 20 available licenses by January 1st, then fantasy sports operators and video poker establishments will be able to apply.
Read more at the Associated Press.
