DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 357 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Magee
Abstract: Requires a proposition election to determine whether sports wagering shall be permitted
in each parish and provides for the regulation of sports wagering.
Proposed law provides for a proposition election to determine whether sports wagering activities and
operations will be permitted in a particular parish. Provides that the proposition shall appear on the
ballot in every parish at the statewide election occurring on Nov. 3, 2020.
Proposed law provides that if a majority of the qualified electors in the parish in the state vote to
approve the proposition to permit sports wagering in such parish, then sports wagering activities and
operations will be permitted in such parish only after the enactment of state laws providing for the
licensing, regulation, and taxation of such activities and operations.
Proposed law further provides that if a majority of the qualified electors in the parish voting on the
proposition vote against the proposition, then sports wagering activities and operations will not be
permitted in the parish.
Proposed law provides that in the event of the legalization of sports wagering, the La. Gaming
Control Board shall have all regulatory authority, control, and jurisdiction, including investigation,
licensing, and enforcement and all power incidental or necessary to such regulatory authority,
control, and jurisdiction over all aspects of sports wagering activities and operations. Defines "sports
wagering" as the business of accepting wagers on any sports event or sports contest by any system
or method of wagering.
Proposed law provides an exception to the present law crimes of gambling (R.S. 14:90) and
gambling by computer (R.S. 14:90.3) for sports wagering. Proposed law shall become effective
upon the enactment of laws relative to the licensing, regulation, and taxation of revenue relative to
sports wagering.
(Adds R.S. 14:90(E) and 90.3(K), R.S. 18:1300.24, and R.S. 27:15.1)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Remove proposed law provisions enacting the "Louisiana Sports Wagering Control Act" which define terms relative to sports wagering.
2. Move proposed law provisions relative to the proposition election on sports wagering to
Title 18 rather than Title 27 of the La. Revised Statutes of 1950.
3. Relative to the regulatory authority of the La. Gaming Control Board, require the board
to have all regulatory authority, control, and jurisdiction and all power incidental or
necessary to such regulatory authority, control, and jurisdiction over all aspects of sports
wagering activities and operations.
4. Provide for a definition of "sports wagering".
5. Modify the effective date to certain provisions of proposed law.