The House Criminal Justice Committee votes 11-to-6 to allow sports betting at the state’s riverboats casinos, racetracks and the land-based casino in New Orleans. Opponents say it’s an expansion of gambling, but Gretna Representative Joseph Marino says sports betting is already taking place illegally, so why not regulate it.
“To say that this is going to create something new or expand something that already exists doesn’t fit, it’s like you are either pregnant or you’re not,” said Marino.
Albany Representative Sherman Mack expressed concern that college athletes, who need money, may get involved in throwing games in order to win money. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says they can already do that.
“If this bill doesn’t pass, you can go online and bet on the color of the Gatorade whether Drew Brees is going to throw a touchdown pass in the first quarter,” said Martiny.
Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges voted against the bill because she says sports betting can destroy families. But Martiny says that can happen now and the state gets no benefit from it, because it’s not regulated.
The sports betting bill has already been approved by the Senate and it may end up before House Appropriations to examine the fiscal impact to the state.
