State lawmakers approved the taxing rate for online fantasy sports betting in June, but players will have to wait until at least mid-November before they can legally use Fan Duel and Draft Kings.
Crowley Representative John Stefanski spearheaded the legislative legalization effort and said hopes at the end of the last special session that the activity would be available for the start of football season were a little optimistic.
He said that’s because any time there’s a gambling-related change. there’s a lengthy wait for approval between the public input periods, the Gaming Control Board, and the Legislature.
“Unfortunately things move slow and things need to have the ability for the public to have their input on any of these rules and then finally for the Legislature to sign off on them should they so choose,” said Stefanski.
Stefanski said online fantasy sports gaming is currently in a period of public comment under the Gaming Control Board. Once that period passes the issue will be shot back to the Legislature for final approval of rules, then back to the Gaming Control Board for potential finalization at a November 19th meeting.
Despite passing legislation and parish-by-parish votes approving the activity Louisiana is still one of only eight states where you can’t log onto FanDuel or Draft Kingsand play right now. Stefanski said we are in a unique situation.
“In our constitution all gambling is outlawed therefore you have to have an amendment every time you want to do one of these things and so other states don’t necessarily have that,” said Stefanski.
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