Louisiana Gaming Chairman “Pushing Hard for Nov. 1” Retail Sports Betting Launch

• LGCB Meets, Chairman Ronnie Johns Hopes for Nov. 1 Retail Sports Betting Launch
• Louisiana State Police Still Processing Casino Background Investigations
• LA Online Sports Wagering Launch Expected to Trail by “A Couple of Months”

LGCB Meets, Chairman Ronnie Johns Hopes for Nov. 1 Retail Sports Betting Launch

Last Thursday at the most recent monthly meeting of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB), Chairman Ronnie Johns announced the latest goal for a start date for Louisiana’s retail sports betting launch, saying:

I’m pushing hard for November 1. I’m staying close to my office. I want to sign those licenses as soon as possible.

The state’s legislation allows for 20 retail licenses for the state’s casinos and racinos, and as we recently reported, so far thirteen have submitted applications to the state and those are still in the process of being approved.

Chairman Johns seems hopeful that the time-consuming process involved in awarding these licenses to the applicants will end by the start of next week but first, the Louisiana state police must finish their critical part of the multi-step procedure.

Louisiana State Police Still Processing Casino Background Investigations

For one of these existing casinos or racinos to begin taking sports wagers, first, the Louisiana state police must do a thorough background check of the applicants’ proposed operation.

This official vetting involves examining the operators, their staff, and all the procedures that they will follow including security protocols that will keep potential underage bettors from having access to the restricted gambling lounges.

Right now LA state police need to finish ensuring that each casino will operate under the same rules on how these sports bets will be placed, and Chairman Johns points out that this must be done cautiously.

We only get one shot at rolling this out so we’re going to do it the right way.

Also at last Thursday’s meeting, the LGCB approved an official sport’s wagering catalog for each casino to use, one that gives a list of which sporting events bettors can place wagers on and that catalog should be posted soon.

LA Online Sports Wagering Launch Expected to Trail by “A Couple of Months”

While the retail version of Louisiana’s sports betting operation could launch in the next week or so, the mobile version could take a little more time, with Chairman Johns saying it could trail “a couple of months” behind.

Each of the 20 sports betting licenses granted is allowed to operate up to two online skins and Chairman Johns said that part represents “an additional load for the regulators” that could take even more time to sort through.

I’m not going to give you a definitive date of when we’re going to issue licenses but it’s going to be soon. So, uh, maybe before LSU gets a new head coach, I don’t know.

Based on industry projections, sports betting in Louisiana would allow the state to collect $30.6 million in annual taxes, so chances are all involved in the final part of the launching process are moving just as quickly as they can.

Keep checking back for the latest news and updates on Louisiana’s legal sports betting launch.