The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Dawn Romero Watson.
DIGEST
SB 378 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Johns
Present constitution provides for gambling to be defined by and suppressed by the legislature.
Present constitution provides that no law authorizing a new form of gaming, gambling, or wagering
will be effective nor will such gaming, gambling, or wagering be licensed or permitted to be
conducted in a parish unless a referendum election on a proposition to allow such gaming, gambling,
or wagering is held in the parish and the proposition is approved by a majority of those voting
thereon.
Present constitution provides that notwithstanding the present constitutional provisions regarding
prohibited local and special laws, or any other provision of the constitution, the legislature by local
or special law may provide for elections on propositions relating to allowing or prohibiting one or
more forms of gaming, gambling, or wagering authorized by law.
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 will be on the ballot
at the statewide election occurring on November 3, 2020.
Proposed law provides that if a majority of the qualified electors in the parish voting on the
proposition vote "for" the proposition, then sports wagering activities and operations will be
permitted in such parish only after state laws providing for the licensing, regulation, and taxation of
such activities and operations are enacted and become effective.
Proposed law 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 Louisiana 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.
Designates proposed law to be a special law for purposes of constitutional requirement regarding
proposition elections on gambling, gaming, or wagering.
Effective June 10, 2020. (Adds R.S. 18:1300.24 and R.S. 27:15.1)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary B to the original bill
1. Removes provisions relative to authorizing certain casinos to operate sports pool
wagering and specific regulations for sports wagering activities and operations by the
Louisiana Gaming Control Board.