55 of the state’s 64 parishes approved the November 3rd ballot measure that legalizes sports wagering. Ryan Berni of Louisiana Wins says over 65% of the voters statewide voted for the legalization of sports betting and now it’s up to lawmakers and the gaming control board to approve the rules and regulations.
“It’s time to move on to legalizing sports wagering so we can collect that revenue to fund urgent needs so that people can play like they do in other states,” said Berni.
Berni says the Louisiana Legislature will develop a framework for sports wagering in the 2021 legislative session. He says it’s likely the state’s casinos will have sports betting parlors, but it’s also important to have the option to bet on your phone in parishes that approved the proposition.
“Mobile wagering which is happening in a lot of other parts of the country really needs to be addressed, because you really can’t capture the market,” said Berni.
A Louisiana Economic Development Department study found that the state is losing as much as 330-million dollars in taxable revenue by not allowing legalized sports wagering. Berni says the state legislature will determine how the activity will be taxed and where the money will go.
“Obviously we have a lot of needs in Louisiana, whether it’s education or early childhood, health care, roads and bridges, so there will be a lot of jockeying for where the money goes,” said Berni.
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