A Senate committee approved legislation on Tuesday that would give voters the opportunity to decide in November whether sports betting should be legal in Louisiana. A similar proposal failed last year after heated debate. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says it’s time to put this issue before the voters.
“Everybody involved that had questions last term seem to be on page with knowing that we just need to get this on the ballot and then from there we’ll work together to get something out that works for Louisiana,” said Henry.
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more consideration. If it receives legislative approval the proposition would appear on the November 3rd ballot.
“Just like many years ago when the riverboats came in, video poker in, people had the opportunity to vote it up and vote it down,” said Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns.
Henry says if a majority of voters in a parish vote for the proposition, then sports wagering could be permitted in that parish only after state laws regarding regulation and taxation are enacted.
“The bill does not specify who will be able to sports wager, who will not, it just says let’s go parish-by-parish and see who wants it and then we’ll have the joy of figuring out next session,” said Henry.
Henry says the legislation also puts the Louisiana Gaming Control Board in charge of regulating sports betting. The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.
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