After the state’s gaming regulators adopted emergency regulations to speed up the ability for individuals to gamble on games, sports betting operations in Louisiana are likely to begin sometime during the 2017 football season. The Gaming Control Board unanimously adopted regulations allowing Louisiana’s casinos and four racetracks to apply for sports betting licenses starting Monday.
At 55 parishes where voters approved the betting sites, the wagering will likely spread to public locations like bars and restaurants that sell alcohol. But that will come later.
According to news reports, the gaming board’s initial move on Thursday will kick off the screening process for interim casino and racetrack licenses.
Former state senator and current gaming board head Ronnie Johns expressed his opinion that betting may commence by the middle of football season.
Ronnies mentioned that the most common question he has been coming across is when sports betting will be legal. According to Johns, who spoke to The News-Star, they are lagging behind their Mississippi neighbor but are working hard to catch up.
Last November, 55 voters out of the 64 parishes approved the legalization of sports betting on live-action events. In the recent parliamentary session, lawmakers established the foundation for regulating and taxing sports wagering. Know in detail about how exactly sports betting sites work and their functionality by clicking here!
According to the Advocate, Some casinos may accept bets as early as mid-September, according to the gambling industry’s trade group president.
As per Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association, many of his members have drafted applications and will file them soon. The verification procedure will be quicker because they are already licensed.
In terms of a timeframe, Wade expects to see some of the brick and mortars ready to receive in-person wagers by mid-September.
The Louisiana Lottery Corporation will manage roughly 1,000 kiosks in bars and restaurants that offer alcohol. Separate from the gaming commission, the lottery is developing its own set of regulations for sports betting.
Those who want to place bets must be 21 years old or older. There are no wagers allowed on high school or youth sporting events.
