ENROLLED ACT No. 80 2021 Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO. 697 (Substitute for House Bill No. 628 by Representative Stefanski) BY REPRESENTATIVES STEFANSKI, BOURRIAQUE, BRASS, BROWN, BRYANT, DESHOTEL, FONTENOT, HOLLIS, JEFFERSON, TRAVIS JOHNSON, LACOMBE, MARINO, PIERRE, AND STAGNI AND SENATORS ABRAHAM AND HENSGENS 1 AN ACT 2 To amend and reenact R.S. 13:4721, R.S. 14:90.5(A) through (C), R.S. 27:3(10), (15), (17), 3 and (19), 15(D) and (E), 29.1(D) and (E), 29.2(A), (B), (D), and (E), 29.3(A), 4 29.4(D), R.S. 47:9001, 9002, 9006(B), 9009(B)(1) and (C), 9010(E), 9015(D), and 5 9029(A)(1) and to enact R.S. 14:90(E) and 90.3(K), R.S. 27:92(D), Part IV of 6 Chapter 10 of Title 27 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised 7 of R.S. 27:621 through 627, and Chapter 10 of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised 8 Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S. 47:9091 through 9107, relative to sports 9 wagering; to provide for definitions; to authorize sports wagering; to require certain 10 licenses and permits; to require certain fees; to levy certain taxes; to provide relative 11 to the administration of sports wagering gaming; to provide relative to duties and 12 powers of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board; to provide relative to duties and 13 powers of the gaming division in the office of state police; to provide relative to 14 duties and powers of the Louisiana Lottery Corporation; to provide for the collection 15 and disposition of certain monies; to create the Sports Wagering Enforcement Fund; 16 to create the Lottery Sports Wagering Fund; to authorize electronic sports wagering; 17 to provide for a public records exception; to provide relative to legislative intent; to 18 provide relative to administrative rules; to provide relative to contracts; to provide 19 relative to suitability; to provide relative to sports wagering mechanisms; to provide 20 relative to sports wagering winnings and prizes; to provide relative to sports 21 wagering tickets; to provide relative to state revenues; to provide relative to 22 gambling houses; to provide relative to gambling; to provide for certain Page 1 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 requirements, conditions, and limitations; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide 2 for related matters. 3 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: 4 Section 1. R.S. 13:4721 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 5 §4721. Gambling houses; definition; declared public nuisances 6 A. For the purposes of this Sub-part, Subpart, or for the purposes of any 7 action or prosecution hereunder in this Section, a gambling house is either: 8 (1) any Any place whatever whatsoever where any game of chance of any 9 kind or character is played for money, for wagers, or for tokens, and where the 10 conduct of such place operates, directly or indirectly, to the profit of one or more 11 individuals and not exclusively to the direct profit of the actual participants in such 12 game; and. 13 (2) any Any place whatsoever where races, athletic contests, and sports, and 14 games are not actually held and where opportunity is afforded for wagering upon 15 races, athletic contests, sports, and games of chance. 16 B. All gambling houses as herein defined in this Section are declared to be 17 public nuisances, and the owner owners thereof, and the agent agents for such owner, 18 owners, or the lessee, sublessee lessees, sublessees, or other occupants thereof are 19 declared to be guilty of maintaining a public nuisance. 20 C. The provisions of this Subpart shall not apply to any place where sports 21 wagering is conducted in accordance with Chapter 10 of Title 47 of the Louisiana 22 Revised Statutes of 1950. 23 Section 2. R.S. 14:90.5(A) through (C) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 24 14:90(E) and 90.3(K) are hereby enacted to read as follows: 25 §90. Gambling 26 * * * 27 E. Sports wagering shall not be considered gambling for purposes of this 28 Section so long as the wagering is conducted in compliance with Chapter 10 of Title 29 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. 30 * * * Page 2 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 §90.3. Gambling by computer 2 * * * 3 K. Sports wagering shall not be considered gambling by computer for 4 purposes of this Section so long as the wagering is conducted in compliance with 5 Chapter 10 of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. 6 * * * 7 §90.5. Unlawful playing of gaming devices by persons under the age of twenty-one; 8 underage persons, penalty 9 A. It is unlawful for any person under twenty-one years of age to play casino 10 games, gaming devices, or slot machines or to place a wager on a sports event. 11 B. No person under the age of twenty-one, except an emergency responder 12 acting in his official capacity, shall enter, or be permitted to enter, the designated 13 gaming area of a riverboat, the designated gaming area of the official gaming 14 establishment, or the designated slot machine gaming area of a pari-mutuel wagering 15 facility which offers live horse racing licensed for operation and regulated under the 16 applicable provisions of Chapters 4, 5, and 7 of Title 27 of the Louisiana Revised 17 Statutes of 1950. 18 C.(1) For purposes of this Section, "casino games, gaming devices, or slot 19 machines" means a game or device, as defined in R.S. 27:44(10) or (12), 205(12) or 20 (13), or 353(14) R.S. 27:44, 205, or 353 operated on a riverboat, at the official 21 gaming establishment, or at a pari-mutuel wagering facility which offers live horse 22 racing which is licensed for operation and regulated under the provisions of Chapters 23 4, 5, and 7 of Title 27 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. 24 (2) For purposes of this Section, "place a wager on a sports event" shall apply 25 to wagers attempted to be or actually placed via a self-service sports wagering 26 mechanism, or via a mobile application as defined in R.S. 47:9002 and operations 27 are regulated under the provisions of Chapter 10 of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised 28 Statutes of 1950. 29 * * * Page 3 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 Section 3. R.S. 27:3(10), (15), (17), and (19) , 15(D) and (E), 29.1(D) and (E), 2 29.2(A), (B), (D), and (E), 29.3(A), and 29.4(D) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 3 27:92(D) and Part IV of Chapter 10 of Title 27 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, 4 comprised of R.S. 27:621 through 627, are hereby enacted to read as follows: 5 §3. Definitions 6 For the purposes of this Title, the following terms have the following 7 meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: 8 * * * 9 (10) "Gaming supplier" means any person who supplies, sells or leases, or 10 contracts to sell or lease, gaming devices, equipment, or supplies to a holder of a 11 license as defined in R.S. 27:44(14), R.S. 27:353(5), R.S. 27:44, 353, or 602, or to 12 the casino gaming operator. "Gaming supplier" shall also include any person or 13 entity that supplies geolocation, geofencing, or patron identification services to the 14 holder of a license as defined in R.S. 27:44, 353, or 602, or to the casino gaming 15 operator. 16 * * * 17 (15) "Key gaming employee" or "managerial employee" means an employee, 18 agent, or representative of the casino gaming operator, or of a holder of a license as 19 defined in R.S. 27:44(14), R.S. 27:353(5), R.S. 27:44, 353, or 602, or a permittee 20 whether or not a gaming employee who, in the opinion of the board or division, 21 holds or exercises critical or significant management or operating authority over the 22 casino gaming operator, or of a holder of a license as defined in R.S. 27:44(13), R.S. 23 27:353(6), R.S. 27:44, 353, or 602, or a permittee. 24 * * * 25 (17) "Non-key gaming employee" means a person employed in the operation 26 of a gaming activity and includes employees empowered to make discretionary 27 decisions that regulate gaming activities, and any individual whose employment 28 duties require or authorize access to designated gaming areas of a licensee as defined 29 in R.S. 27:44(14), R.S. 27:353(5), R.S. 27:44, 353, or 602, or the official gaming Page 4 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 establishment, other than non-gaming equipment maintenance personnel, cleaning 2 personnel, waiters, waitresses, and secretaries. 3 * * * 4 (19) "Non-gaming supplier" means any person who sells, leases, or otherwise 5 distributes, directly or indirectly, goods or services other than gaming equipment and 6 supplies to the holder of a license, as defined in R.S. 27:44(14), R.S. 27:353(5), R.S. 7 27:44, 353, or 602, or the casino gaming operator. 8 * * * 9 §15. Board's authority; responsibilities 10 * * * 11 D. In addition to or in lieu of the revocation or suspension of a license or 12 permit issued pursuant to the provisions of the Louisiana Riverboat Economic 13 Development and Gaming Control Act, the Louisiana Economic Development and 14 Gaming Corporation Act, the Pari-mutuel Live Racing Facility Economic 15 Redevelopment and Gaming Control Act, the Louisiana Sports Wagering Act, and 16 this Chapter, the board may impose upon the casino gaming operator or the holder 17 of a license as defined in R.S. 27:44 or, 353, or 602, or a permittee a civil penalty not 18 to exceed one hundred thousand dollars for each violation of any provision of the 19 Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control Act, the Louisiana 20 Economic Development and Gaming Corporation Act, the Louisiana Pari-mutuel 21 Live Racing Facility Economic Redevelopment and Gaming Control Act, the 22 Louisiana Sports Wagering Act, this Chapter, or any rule or regulation of the board. 23 Payment of the civil penalty shall be a requirement for the retention of any permit, 24 certificate, or license held by the entity which violated any such provisions. If the 25 licensee contests the imposition of the civil penalty, the penalty shall be imposed 26 only after an adjudicatory hearing is conducted pursuant to R.S. 27:25 and a basis for 27 imposition of the penalty is determined to exist. 28 E. The board by rule may adopt a schedule of penalties for violations of the 29 Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control Act, the Louisiana 30 Economic Development and Gaming Corporation Act, the Pari-mutuel Live Racing Page 5 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 Facility Economic Redevelopment and Gaming Control Act, the Louisiana Sports 2 Wagering Act, this Chapter, or any rule or regulation of the board. Any such rules 3 shall be adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act and as otherwise 4 provided in this Chapter. 5 * * * 6 §29.1. Manufacturer; permits 7 * * * 8 D. The annual fee for a manufacturer of slot machines, sports wagering 9 mechanisms, and video draw poker devices permit issued under the provisions of this 10 Section is fifteen thousand dollars. This fee is required to be submitted at the time 11 of application and on the anniversary date of the issuance of the permit thereafter. 12 E. The annual fee for a manufacturer of gaming equipment other than slot 13 machines, sports wagering mechanisms, and video draw poker devices permit issued 14 under the provisions of this Section is seven thousand five hundred dollars. This fee 15 is required to be submitted at the time of application and on the anniversary date of 16 the issuance of the permit thereafter. 17 §29.2. Gaming supplier permits 18 A. The board shall issue a gaming supplier permit to suitable persons who 19 supply, sell, lease, or repair, or contract to supply, sell, lease, or repair gaming 20 devices, equipment, and supplies to the holder of a license as defined in R.S. 21 27:44(14), R.S. 27:353(5) or R.S. 27:44 or 353, the casino gaming operator, or a 22 sports wagering operator as defined in R.S. 27:602. A person shall not supply, sell, 23 lease, or repair or contract to supply, sell, lease, or repair gaming devices, equipment, 24 and supplies unless they possess a valid gaming supplier permit. 25 B. Gaming devices, supplies, or equipment may not be distributed to the 26 holder of a license as defined in R.S. 27:44(14), R.S. 27:353(5) or a R.S. 27:44 or 27 353, the casino gaming operator, a sports wagering operator as defined in R.S. 28 27:602, or supplier unless such devices, equipment, or supplies conform to rules 29 adopted by the board for such purpose. 30 * * * Page 6 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 D. A supplier shall furnish to the board a list of any gaming equipment and 2 supplies offered by the supplier for sale or lease in connection with games authorized 3 under this Title. A supplier shall keep books and records for the furnishing of 4 gaming equipment and supplies to gaming operations separate and distinct from any 5 other business that the supplier might operate. A supplier shall file a quarterly return 6 with the board listing all sales and leases. A supplier shall permanently affix its name 7 to all its gaming devices, equipment, and supplies for gaming operations unless 8 otherwise authorized by the board. Any supplier's gaming devices, equipment, or 9 supplies which are used by any person in unauthorized gaming operations shall be 10 forfeited to the board. The holder of a license as defined in R.S. 27:44(14), R.S. 11 27:353(5), R.S. 27:44, 353, or 602, and the casino gaming operator may own its own 12 gaming devices, equipment, and supplies. Each supplier, the holder of a license as 13 defined in R.S. 27:44(14), R.S. 27:353(5), R.S. 27:44, 353, or 602, and the casino 14 operator shall file an annual report with the board listing its inventories of gaming 15 devices, equipment, and supplies. 16 E.(1) The annual fee for a gaming supplier permit issued under the provisions 17 of this Section is three thousand dollars. This fee is required to be submitted at the 18 time of application and on the anniversary date of the issuance of the permit 19 thereafter. 20 (2) The fee provided for in this Section shall not apply to any suitable 21 business or legal entity that markets, buys, sells, leases, services, or repairs sports 22 wagering mechanisms in this state. The fee for the permit provided for in this Section 23 for such entities shall be provided for in R.S. 27:624. 24 (3) The fee provided for in this Section shall not apply to any suitable 25 business or legal entity that engages in support services for the operation of a sports 26 book on behalf of an operator in this state. The fee for the permit provided for in this 27 Section for such entities shall be provided for in R.S. 27:623. 28 §29.3. Non-gaming supplier permit 29 A.(1) The division shall issue a non-gaming supplier permit to suitable 30 persons who furnish services or goods and receive compensation or remuneration for Page 7 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 such goods or services to the holder of a license as defined in R.S. 27:44 and or 353, 2 or the casino gaming operator., or a sports wagering operator as defined in R.S. 3 27:602. The board shall promulgate rules establishing the threshold amount of goods 4 and services for which a non-gaming supplier permit is required. Such services 5 include but are not limited to industries offering goods or services whether or not 6 directly related to gaming activity, including junket operators and limousine services 7 contracting with the holder of a license as defined in R.S. 27:44 and or 353, or the 8 casino gaming operator, or a sports wagering operator as defined in R.S. 27:602, 9 suppliers of food and nonalcoholic beverages, gaming employee or dealer training 10 schools, garbage handlers, vending machine providers, linen suppliers, or 11 maintenance companies. Any employee or dealer training school, other than 12 employee or training schools conducted by a licensee, or the casino gaming operator, 13 shall be conducted at an institution approved by the Board of Regents or the State 14 Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. 15 (2) Any person who, directly or indirectly, furnishes services or goods to the 16 holder of a license as defined in R.S. 27:44 and or 353, or the casino gaming 17 operator, or a sports wagering operator as defined in R.S. 27:602, regardless of the 18 dollar amount of the goods and services furnished or who has a business association 19 with the holder of a license as defined in R.S. 27:44 and or 353, or the casino 20 operator, or a sports wagering operator as defined in R.S. 27:602, may be required 21 by the board or division, where applicable, to be found suitable or apply for a non- 22 gaming supplier permit. Failure to supply all information required by the board or 23 division, where applicable, may result in a finding of unsuitability or denial of a non- 24 gaming supplier permit. 25 * * * 26 §29.4. Key and non-key gaming employee permit 27 * * * 28 D. The holder of a key or non-key gaming employee permit issued under this 29 Title shall be authorized to work in the capacity for which permitted for the holder Page 8 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 of a license as defined in R.S. 27:44(14), R.S. 27:353(5), or R.S. 27:44 or 353, the 2 casino gaming operator., or a sports wagering operator as defined in R.S. 27:602. 3 * * * 4 §92. Collection and disposition of fees 5 * * * 6 D. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any monies collected 7 relative to sports wagering. 8 * * * 9 CHAPTER 10. SPORTS WAGERING 10 PART IV. FEES, TAXES, AND COLLECTIONS 11 §621. Sports wagering license fee 12 A. The initial application fee for a sports wagering license shall be two 13 hundred fifty thousand dollars and shall be non-refundable. The initial application 14 fee shall be submitted at the time of application. 15 B. The license fee for a sports wagering license issued pursuant to R.S. 16 27:604, shall be five hundred thousand dollars. The license shall be for a term of 17 five years. The license fee shall be submitted on the anniversary date of the issuance 18 of the license every five years. The first license payment shall be submitted at the 19 time of application. 20 C. The division shall collect all fees imposed or assessed pursuant to the 21 provisions of this Section and deposit the fees into the Sports Wagering Enforcement 22 Fund established in R.S. 27:626. 23 §622. Sports wagering platform provider permit fee 24 A. The initial application fee for a sports wagering platform provider permit 25 shall be one hundred thousand dollars and shall be non-refundable. The initial 26 application fee shall be submitted at the time of application. 27 B. The permit fee for a sports wagering platform provider permit issued 28 pursuant to R.S. 27:605, shall be two hundred fifty thousand dollars. The permit shall 29 be for a term of five years. The permit fee shall be submitted on the anniversary date Page 9 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 of the issuance of the permit every five years. The first permit payment shall be 2 submitted at the time of application. 3 C. The division shall collect all fees imposed or assessed pursuant to the 4 provisions of this Section and deposit the fees into the Sports Wagering Enforcement 5 Fund established in R.S. 27:626. 6 §623. Sports wagering service provider permit fee 7 A. The initial application fee for a sports wagering service provider permit 8 shall be ten thousand dollars and shall be non-refundable. The initial application fee 9 shall be submitted at the time of application. 10 B. The permit fee for a sports wagering service provider permit issued 11 pursuant to R.S. 27:29.2, shall be twelve thousand five hundred dollars. The permit 12 shall be for a term of five years. The permit fee shall be submitted on the anniversary 13 date of the issuance of the permit every five years. The first permit payment shall be 14 submitted at the time of application. 15 C. The division shall collect all fees imposed or assessed pursuant to the 16 provisions of this Section and deposit the fees into the Sports Wagering Enforcement 17 Fund established in R.S. 27:626. 18 §624. Sports wagering distributor permit fee 19 A. The initial application fee for a sports wagering distributor permit shall 20 be five thousand dollars and shall be non-refundable. The initial application fee shall 21 be submitted at the time of application. 22 B. The permit fee for a sports wagering distributor permit issued pursuant 23 to R.S. 27:29.2, shall be two thousand five hundred dollars. The permit shall be for 24 a term of five years. The permit fee shall be submitted on the anniversary date of the 25 issuance of the permit every five years. The first permit payment shall be submitted 26 at the time of application. 27 C. The division shall collect all fees imposed or assessed pursuant to the 28 provisions of this Section and deposit the fees into the Sports Wagering Enforcement 29 Fund established in R.S. 27:626. Page 10 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 §625. State tax; levy 2 A. There is hereby levied a ten percent tax upon the net gaming proceeds 3 from sports wagering offered to consumers within this state pursuant to this Title 4 conducted onsite at a licensed sports wagering establishment. Any sports wagering 5 conducted through a mobile application or a website on the premises of a licensed 6 sports wagering establishment shall be considered electronic wagering and shall be 7 taxed pursuant to Subsection B of this Section. 8 B. There is hereby levied a fifteen percent tax upon the net gaming proceeds 9 from sports wagering offered to consumers within this state pursuant to this Title 10 electronically through a website or mobile application. The provisions of this 11 Subsection shall not apply to electronic sports wagering conducted through a sports 12 wagering mechanism. 13 C. Within twenty days of the last day of each calendar month the division 14 shall collect the taxes imposed pursuant to the provisions of this Section for the 15 immediately preceding calendar month. 16 D. All taxes collected by the division pursuant to this Section, shall be 17 forwarded upon receipt to the state treasurer for immediate deposit into the state 18 treasury. Funds deposited into the treasury shall first be credited to the Bond Security 19 and Redemption Fund in accordance with Article VII, Section 9(B) of the 20 Constitution of Louisiana. 21 E. In a month when the amount of net gaming proceeds of an operator from 22 sports wagering is a negative number, the operator may carry over the negative 23 amount to the return filed for the subsequent month. However, no amount shall be 24 carried over in any period more than twelve months after the month in which the 25 amount carried over was originally due. 26 F. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any sports wagering 27 offered in this state by the Louisiana Lottery Corporation pursuant to Title 47. 28 §626. Sports Wagering Enforcement Fund 29 A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special fund designated as 30 the "Sports Wagering Enforcement Fund", hereafter referred to as the "fund". After Page 11 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 allocation of money to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as provided in 2 Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, the treasurer shall deposit 3 in and credit to the fund monies from license, application, and permit fees collected 4 pursuant to this Part. Monies in the fund shall be invested in the same manner as 5 monies in the state general fund. Interest earned on investment of monies in the fund 6 shall be deposited in and credited to the fund. Unexpended and unencumbered 7 monies in the fund shall remain in the fund. Monies in the fund shall be appropriated, 8 administered, and used solely as provided in this Section. 9 B. The monies in the fund shall be withdrawn only pursuant to appropriation 10 by the legislature and shall be used solely for the expenses of the Department of 11 Public Safety and Corrections, the Department of Justice, and the Louisiana Gaming 12 Control Board, including regulatory, administrative, investigative, enforcement, 13 legal, and other expenses as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this 14 Chapter and the rules of the board. 15 §627. Promotional play 16 Eligible promotional play shall be equal to the amount of dollars directly 17 attributable to promotional play wagers related to sports wagering and actually 18 redeemed by players and patrons. Eligible promotional play shall not exceed an 19 amount of five million dollars per calendar year. 20 Section 4. R.S. 47:9001, 9002, 9006(B), 9009(B)(1) and (C), 9010(E), 9015(D), and 21 9029(A)(1) are hereby amended and reenacted and Chapter 10 of Title 47 of the Louisiana 22 Revised Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 47:9091 through 9107, is hereby enacted to read 23 as follows: 24 §9001. Statement of purpose and intent 25 A. The legislature hereby recognizes that the operations of a state lottery are 26 unique activities for state government and that a corporate structure will best enable 27 the lottery to be managed in an entrepreneurial and business-like manner. It is the 28 intent of the legislature that the Louisiana Lottery Corporation shall be accountable 29 to the governor, the legislature, and the people of the state through a system of Page 12 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 audits, reports, legislative oversight, and thorough financial disclosure as required 2 by this Subtitle. 3 B. The legislature hereby recognizes that, similar to other states, the 4 Louisiana Lottery Corporation is uniquely positioned to participate in the sports 5 wagering industry based upon its business model, infrastructure, and current 6 relationship with retail establishments. The legislature also recognizes that allowing 7 the state lottery to participate in sports wagering may generate additional state 8 revenue. The Louisiana Lottery Corporation through an operator shall operate and 9 administer a sports book which shall be a separate and distinct responsibility and 10 operation from lottery gaming. Any sports wagering offered to consumers in this 11 state pursuant to this Subtitle shall exclusively be through electronic means including 12 a website, mobile application, or sports wagering mechanism. 13 §9002. Definitions 14 As used in this Subtitle, the following words and phrases shall have the 15 following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise: 16 (1) "Corporation" means the Louisiana Lottery Corporation. 17 (2) "Lottery" means any game of chance approved by the corporation and 18 operated pursuant to this Chapter. 19 (3) "Major procurement" means any item, product, or service in the amount 20 of one hundred thousand dollars or more, including but not limited to major 21 advertising contracts, annuity contracts, prize products, and services unique to the 22 Louisiana lottery, but not including materials, supplies, equipment, and services 23 common to the ordinary operations of a corporation. 24 (4) "Net proceeds" means gross lottery revenues minus amounts paid or 25 estimated to be paid as prizes and expenses of operation of the lottery. 26 (5) "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated 27 association, or other legal entity. 28 (6) "President" means the president of the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, 29 who shall also serve as chief executive officer of the corporation. Page 13 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 (7) "Retailer" means any person with whom the corporation has contracted 2 to sell lottery tickets to the public. 3 (8) "Security" means the protection of information that would provide an 4 unfair advantage to any individual involved in the operation of the lottery, protection 5 and preservation of the integrity of lottery games and operations, as well as measures 6 taken to prevent crimes against the corporation and its retailers. 7 (9) "Vendor" means any person who has entered into a major procurement 8 contract with the corporation. 9 (1) "Anti-money laundering standards" or "AML" means the requirements 10 and guidelines provided in the federal Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended, and 11 the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, as amended, for the prevention and 12 detection of money laundering and the financing of terrorism. 13 (2) "Applicant" means a person, business, or legal entity who has submitted 14 an application to the corporation seeking a permit or the renewal of a permit. 15 (3) "Application" means the forms and schedules prescribed by the 16 corporation upon which an applicant seeks a permit or the renewal of a permit. An 17 application shall also include any other information or fee required by the 18 corporation to be submitted with an application such as disclosure statements, 19 financial statements, and any type of fee. 20 (4) "Board" means the board of directors of the Louisiana Lottery 21 Corporation. 22 (5) "Corporation" means the Louisiana Lottery Corporation. 23 (6) "Distributor" means a permitted business or legal entity that is domiciled 24 in this state and markets, buys, sells, leases, services, or repairs sports wagering 25 mechanisms in this state. 26 (7) "Electronic sports wagering" means sports wagering via a sports wagering 27 mechanism on the premises of a permitted retail establishment or via a website or 28 mobile application. Page 14 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 (8) "Lottery" means any game of chance approved by the corporation and 2 operated pursuant to this Chapter and shall not include sports wagering authorized 3 pursuant to this Subtitle. 4 (9) "Major procurement" means any item, product, or service in the amount 5 of one hundred thousand dollars or more, including but not limited to major 6 advertising contracts, annuity contracts, prize products, and services unique to the 7 Louisiana lottery, but not including materials, supplies, equipment, and services 8 common to the ordinary operations of a corporation. 9 (10) "Mobile application" means an application on a mobile phone or other 10 device through which a player is able to register, fund, and place a wager with an 11 operator on a sports event and receive a credit on their sports wagering account. 12 (11) "Mobile wagering" means wagering on a sports event through a website 13 or mobile application. 14 (12) "Net gaming proceeds" means the amount equal to the total gross 15 revenue of all sports wagers placed by patrons less the total amount of all winnings 16 paid out to patrons. 17 (13) "Net proceeds" means gross lottery revenues less amounts paid or 18 estimated to be paid as prizes and expenses of operation of the lottery. 19 (14) "Patron" or "player" means an individual who places a wager on a sports 20 event. 21 (15) "Permit" means any permit or authorization, or application therefor, 22 issued pursuant to the provisions of this Subtitle. 23 (16) "Permittee" means any person who is issued a permit pursuant to the 24 provisions of this Subtitle. 25 (17) "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated 26 association, or other legal entity. 27 (18) "President" means the president of the Louisiana Lottery Corporation, 28 who shall also serve as chief executive officer of the corporation. 29 (19) "Retail establishment" means a retail business that is permitted by the 30 corporation to host a sports wagering mechanism. Page 15 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 (20) "Retailer" means any person with whom the corporation has contracted 2 to sell lottery tickets to the public. 3 (21) "Security" means the protection of information that would provide an 4 unfair advantage to any individual involved in the operation of the lottery, protection 5 and preservation of the integrity of lottery games and operations, as well as measures 6 taken to prevent crimes against the corporation and its retailers. 7 (22) "Sports book" means the offering of sports wagering by a sports 8 wagering platform provider on the premises of a permitted retail establishment or 9 through a sports wagering platform. 10 (23) "Sports event" means any professional sport or athletic event, any 11 collegiate sport or athletic event, any Olympic or international sports competition 12 event, or any other special event or competition of relative skill as authorized by the 13 corporation to be a sports event for purposes of this Chapter. "Sports event" shall not 14 include high school sports, youth events, any international sports events where the 15 majority of the athletes are under the age of eighteen years old, electronic sports, 16 competitive video games, fantasy sports contests as provided in Chapter 6 of Title 17 27 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, and any event prohibited by law. 18 (24) "Sports wager" or "sports bet" means a sum of money or representation 19 of value risked by a player on an occurrence associated with a sports event for which 20 the outcome is uncertain. The term includes but is not limited to single-game bets, 21 teaser bets, parlay bets, over-under bets, moneyline bets, pools, exchange wagering, 22 in-game wagering, in-play bets, proposition bets, and straight bets. 23 (25) "Sports wagering" means the acceptance of a wager on a sports event or 24 on a portion of a sports event or on the individual performance or statistics of an 25 athlete or participant in a sports event or a combination of sports events, by any 26 system or method of wagering. 27 (26) "Sports wagering account" means an electronic financial record 28 established with an operator for an individual patron in which the patron may deposit 29 and withdraw funds for sports wagering and other authorized purchases and to which Page 16 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 the operator may credit winnings or other amounts due to that patron or authorized 2 by that patron. 3 (27) "Sports wagering mechanism" or "kiosk" means a corporation approved 4 self-service mechanical, electrical, or computerized terminal, device, apparatus, or 5 piece of equipment that is directly tied to the central system of the sports wagering 6 platform provider approved by and contracting with the corporation, which allows 7 a patron to place a sports wager on premises of a permitted retail establishment. 8 "Sports wagering mechanism" does not include a personal computer, mobile phone, 9 or other device owned and used by a player to wager on a sports event. 10 (28) "Sports wagering platform" means an integrated system of hardware, 11 software, or applications, including mobile applications and servers, through which 12 an operator conducts the business of offering sports wagering conducted in 13 accordance with this Subtitle. 14 (29) "Sports wagering platform provider" or "operator" means a suitable 15 person that holds a permit from the corporation to engage in the operation of a sports 16 book on behalf of the corporation. 17 (30) "Vendor" means any person who has entered into a major procurement 18 contract with the corporation. 19 * * * 20 §9006. Records of corporation deemed open; exceptions 21 * * * 22 B.(1) Records pertaining to the security of lottery operations, whether 23 current or proposed, the security director, and the security division of the corporation 24 shall be deemed to be records containing security procedures, investigative 25 techniques, or internal security information for purposes of R.S. 44:3(A)(3). 26 (2) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, sports wagering account 27 records on individual players shall not be open to public inspection and shall be 28 deemed records collected or obtained for threat or vulnerability assessments in the Page 17 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 prevention of terrorist-related activity or internal security purposes for purposes of 2 R.S. 44:3(A)(3). 3 * * * 4 §9009. Conduct and administration of lottery games; powers and duties of 5 corporation; authorized contracts 6 * * * 7 B. The corporation shall: 8 (1) Supervise and administer the lottery and sports wagering in accordance 9 with the provisions of this Subtitle and the administrative regulations adopted by the 10 board. 11 * * * 12 C. There shall be no liability on the part of and no cause of action shall arise 13 against the corporation, its governing board, staff, agents, vendors, or employees, 14 arising out of or in connection with the issuance, failure to issue, or delivery of a 15 lottery or sports wagering ticket. 16 §9010. Powers and obligations of corporation's president; residence in Louisiana; 17 ongoing study authorized 18 * * * 19 E.(1) The president shall require bond from corporate employees with access 20 to corporate funds or lottery funds, in such an amount as provided in the 21 administrative regulations of the board. 22 (2) The president shall require a bond from employees with access to sports 23 wagering accounts, in an amount as provided by the administrative rules of the 24 corporation. 25 * * * 26 §9015. Personnel program for employees; conflict of interest provisions; 27 employment of specified persons by corporation prohibited 28 * * * 29 D. No officer or employee of the corporation who leaves the employ of the 30 corporation may represent any vendor or, lottery retailer, sports wagering platform Page 18 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 provider, sports wagering service provider, sports wagering distributor, or retail 2 establishment before the corporation for a period of two years following termination 3 of employment with the corporation. 4 * * * 5 §9029. Deposit of revenues; expenditures and investments authorized; transfer of 6 revenues to state treasury; dedication and use of proceeds; corporation 7 operating account; audit of corporation books and records; audits 8 A.(1) All money received by the corporation from the sale of lottery tickets 9 and all other sources except for monies from sports wagering operations authorized 10 pursuant to this Subtitle, shall be deposited into a corporate operating account. Such 11 account shall be established in a fiscal agent or depository as defined in R.S. 49:319 12 and collateralized in the manner provided by R.S. 49:321 and 49:322. The 13 corporation may use all money in the corporate operating account for the purposes 14 of paying prizes and the necessary expenses of the corporation and dividends to the 15 state. The corporation shall estimate and allocate the amount to be paid by the 16 corporation to prize winners. 17 * * * 18 CHAPTER 10. LOUISIANA LOTTERY 19 CORPORATION SPORTS WAGERING 20 §9091. Conduct and administration of sports wagering; powers and duties of 21 corporation; applicability authorizes contracts 22 A. Any permit obtained or issued pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter 23 is expressly declared by the legislature to be a pure and absolute revocable privilege 24 and not a right, property or otherwise, under the constitution of the United States or 25 of the state of Louisiana. Further, the legislature declares that no holder of any 26 permit acquires any vested interest or right therein or thereunder. 27 B. The corporation shall contract with a sports wagering platform provider 28 for the operation of a sports book. The sports book operated on behalf of the 29 corporation shall be a separate and distinct responsibility and operation from lottery 30 gaming. Any sports wagering offered to consumers in this state pursuant to the Page 19 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 provisions of this Subtitle shall be through the use of a sports wagering mechanism, 2 website, or mobile application. 3 C. The corporation shall, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure 4 Act, promulgate rules, forms, and procedures necessary to implement, administer, 5 and regulate sports wagering authorized pursuant to this Subtitle. The rules shall 6 include: 7 (1) Qualifications, standards, and procedures for permitting sports wagering 8 platform providers, sports wagering service providers, distributors, manufacturers, 9 vendors, suppliers, personnel, and retail establishments pursuant to this Subtitle. 10 (2) Standards and procedures for renewing, suspending, and revoking 11 permits. 12 (3) Guidelines for the acceptance of sports wagers. 13 (4) The maximum number and amount of wagers which may be accepted 14 by a sports wagering mechanism from any one patron on any one event. 15 (5) Prohibitions on unilaterally rescinding wagers. 16 (6) The type of wagering tickets used, information required to be printed on 17 the ticket, and methods for issuing tickets. 18 (7) The types of records required to be kept and the length of time records 19 shall be retained. 20 (8) Requirements that a sports wagering platform provider comply with anti- 21 money laundering standards. 22 (9) Internal controls for all aspects of electronic wagering, including 23 procedures for system integrity, system security, operations, accounting, and 24 reporting of problem gamblers. 25 (10) Establish suitability requirements for applicants and permittees pursuant 26 to this Chapter. 27 (11) Establish standards and a procedure for approval of retail establishment 28 permits to host sports wagering mechanisms. 29 D. Chapters 6, 7, and 8 of this Subtitle shall apply to all sports wagering 30 conducted pursuant to this Chapter. Page 20 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 §9092. Reporting 2 The corporation shall produce an annual report and distribute the report to the 3 legislature. The report shall include the impact of sports wagering on sports events, 4 retail establishments, problem gamblers, and on the gambling addiction in Louisiana. 5 The report shall be prepared by a private organization or entity with expertise in 6 serving the needs of persons with gambling addictions. 7 §9093. Permitting; other requirements 8 A. No person, business, or legal entity shall operate a sports book on behalf 9 of the corporation without first being permitted in accordance with this Subtitle. To 10 conduct business with the corporation related to sports wagering authorized pursuant 11 to this Subtitle, all sports wagering service providers, distributors, manufacturers, 12 vendors, suppliers, personnel, or retail establishments shall be permitted in 13 accordance with the Subtitle. 14 B. All sports wagering platform providers requesting a permit pursuant to this 15 Chapter shall be permitted by the corporation only if the applicant meets the 16 suitability standards provided for in R.S. 47:9094. 17 C. The corporation shall provide by administrative rules the qualifications 18 and suitability standards for sports wagering service providers, distributors, 19 manufacturers, vendors, suppliers, personnel, and retail establishments. 20 §9094. Suitability; sports wagering platform providers 21 A. No person shall be eligible to obtain a sports wagering platform provider 22 permit pursuant to this Subtitle unless the applicant has demonstrated by clear and 23 convincing evidence to the corporation that he is suitable. For the purposes of this 24 Subtitle, "suitable" means the applicant or permittee is: 25 (1) A person of good character, honesty, and integrity. 26 (2) A person whose prior activities, criminal record, if any, reputation, 27 habits, and associations do not pose a threat to the public interest of this state or to 28 the effective regulation and control of gaming, or create or enhance the dangers of 29 unsuitable, unfair, or illegal practices, methods, and activities in the conduct of 30 gaming or carrying on of the business and financial arrangements incidental thereto. Page 21 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 (3) Capable of and likely to conduct the activities for which the applicant or 2 permittee is approved or permitted pursuant to the provisions of this Subtitle. 3 (4) Not disqualified pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B of this 4 Section. 5 B. The corporation shall not grant approval or a permit pursuant to the 6 provisions of this Subtitle to any person who is disqualified on the basis of the 7 following criteria: 8 (1) The conviction or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the applicant or 9 any person required to be suitable under the provisions of this Subtitle for any of the 10 following: 11 (a) Any offense punishable by imprisonment of more than one year. 12 (b) Theft or attempted theft, illegal possession of stolen things, or any 13 offense or attempt involving the misappropriation of property or funds. 14 (c) Any offense involving fraud or attempted fraud, false statements or 15 declarations. 16 (d) Gambling as defined by the laws or ordinances of any municipality, any 17 parish or county, any state, or of the United States. 18 (e) A crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B). 19 (2) A current prosecution or pending charge against the person in any 20 jurisdiction for any offense listed in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. 21 (3) The person is not current in filing all applicable tax returns and in the 22 payment of all taxes, penalties, and interest owed to the state of Louisiana or any 23 political subdivision of Louisiana, excluding items under formal appeal. 24 (4) The failure to provide information and documentation to reveal any fact 25 material to a suitability determination, or the supplying of information which is 26 untrue or misleading as to a material fact pertaining to the suitability criteria. 27 C.(1) In the awarding of a permit pursuant to the provisions of this Subtitle, 28 a conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the applicant shall not constitute 29 an automatic disqualification as otherwise required pursuant to the provisions of Page 22 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 Subparagraphs (B)(1)(a) through (d) of this Section if either of the following are true: 2 (a) Ten or more years has elapsed between the date of application and the 3 successful completion or service of any sentence, deferred adjudication, or period of 4 probation or parole. 5 (b) Five or more years has elapsed between the date of application and the 6 successful completion of any sentence, deferred adjudication, or period of probation 7 or parole and the conviction for an offense defined in R.S. 47:9094(B)(1)(b) was a 8 misdemeanor offense. 9 (2) The provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply to any 10 person convicted of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B). 11 (3) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the corporation 12 may consider the seriousness and circumstances of any offense, arrest, or conviction 13 in determining suitability in accordance with Subsection A of this Section. 14 D. An applicant who is not disqualified as a result of Subsection B of this 15 Section shall be required to demonstrate to the corporation that he otherwise meets 16 the remaining requirements for suitability, particularly those contained in Paragraphs 17 (A)(1) through (3) of this Section. Evidence of, or relating to, an arrest, summons, 18 charge, or indictment of an applicant, or the dismissal thereof, may be considered by 19 the corporation even if the arrest, summons, charge, or indictment results in 20 acquittal, deferred adjudication, probation, parole, or pardon. 21 E. A person who has been found unsuitable or whose permit has been 22 revoked, in this state or any other jurisdiction, may not apply for a permit or a 23 finding of suitability for five years from the date there was a finding of unsuitability, 24 or the permit was revoked, unless the corporation allows the application for good 25 cause shown. The corporation shall promulgate rules necessary to carry out the 26 provisions of this Section. 27 F. All permittees and other persons found suitable by the corporation shall 28 maintain suitability throughout the term of the permit. In the event of a current 29 prosecution of an offense as provided in Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section, the 30 corporation shall have the discretion to defer a determination on a person's Page 23 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 continuing suitability pending the outcome of the proceedings provided that if a 2 decision is deferred pending such outcome the corporation may take such action as 3 is necessary to protect the public trust, including the suspension of any permit. 4 G. All permittees and any other persons required to be found suitable shall 5 have a continuing duty to inform the corporation of any possible violation of this 6 Subtitle and of any rules adopted by the corporation. No person who so informs the 7 corporation of a violation or possible violation shall be discriminated against by the 8 applicant or permittee because of supplying such information. 9 H.(1)(a) Any person who has or controls directly or indirectly five percent 10 or more ownership, income, or profit or economic interest in an entity which has or 11 applies for a sports wagering platform provider permit pursuant to the provisions of 12 this Subtitle, or who receives five percent or more revenue interest in the form of a 13 commission, finder's fee, loan repayment, or any other business expense related to 14 the gaming operation, or who has the ability or capacity to exercise significant 15 influence over a permittee or other person required to be found suitable pursuant to 16 the provisions of this Subtitle, shall meet all suitability requirements and 17 qualifications pursuant to the provisions of this Subtitle. 18 (b) In determining whether a person has significant influence for purposes 19 of this Section, the corporation may consider but is not limited to the following: 20 management and decision-making authority; operational control; financial 21 relationship; receipt of gaming revenue or proceeds; financial indebtedness; and 22 gaming related associations. 23 (2)(a) A lessor of immovable property forming any part of the complex of 24 a sports wagering operation pursuant to this Subtitle is required to submit to 25 suitability. 26 (b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter to the contrary, the 27 obligations to the corporation of the real estate lessor of a permittee who receives 28 less than two percent of the net gaming proceeds of a permittee and who is not 29 involved in the day-to-day operations of the permittee shall be to provide such 30 financial information, documentation, and necessary release forms for the Page 24 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 corporation to make a determination that no person who fails to meet suitability 2 requirements is receiving any funds received by the lessor from the permittee, or is 3 participating in the management of the affairs or business operations of the lessor. 4 I. If the corporation finds that an individual owner or holder of a security of 5 a permittee, or of a holding or intermediary company of a permittee, or any person 6 or persons with an economic interest in a permittee, or a director, partner, officer, or 7 managerial employee is not suitable, and if as a result, the permittee is no longer 8 qualified to continue as a permittee the corporation shall propose action necessary 9 to protect the public interest, including the suspension or revocation of the permit. 10 The corporation may also issue under penalty of revocation or suspension of a 11 permit, a condition of disqualification naming the person or persons and declaring 12 that such person or persons may not: 13 (1) Receive dividends or interest on securities of a person, or a holding or 14 intermediary company of a person, holding an approval or permit. 15 (2) Exercise directly, or through a trustee or nominee, a right conferred by 16 securities of a person, or a holding or intermediary company of a person, holding an 17 approval or permit, issued pursuant to the provisions of this Subtitle. 18 (3) Receive remuneration or other economic benefit from any person, or a 19 holding or intermediary company of a person, holding an approval or permit issued 20 pursuant to this Subtitle. 21 (4) Exercise significant influence over activities of a person, or a holding or 22 intermediary company of a person, holding a license, casino operating contract, 23 permit, or other approval issued pursuant to the provisions of this Subtitle. 24 (5) Continue owning or holding a security of a person, or a holding or 25 intermediary company of a person, holding an approval or permit issued pursuant to 26 the provisions of this Subtitle or remain as a manager, officer, director, or partner of 27 a permittee. 28 J. In the awarding of an approval or permit pursuant to the provisions of this 29 Subtitle, the corporation may consider that the person is not current in filing all Page 25 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 applicable tax returns and in the payment of all taxes, penalties, and interest owed 2 the Internal Revenue Service, excluding items under formal appeal. 3 K. In determining the suitability of an application, the corporation may 4 request from an applicant and consider any of the following: 5 (1) Whether the applicant has adequate capital, financial ability, and means 6 to develop, construct, operate, and maintain infrastructure to support sports wagering 7 activities and operations in compliance with this Chapter and any administrative 8 rules promulgated by the corporation. 9 (2) Whether the applicant has the financial ability to purchase and maintain 10 adequate liability and casualty insurance and to provide an adequate surety bond. 11 (3) Whether the applicant has adequate capital and the financial ability to 12 responsibly pay its secured and unsecured debts in accordance with its financing 13 agreements and other contractual obligations. 14 (4) Whether the applicant has a history of material noncompliance with 15 licensing or permitting requirements or any other regulatory requirements in 16 Louisiana or in any other jurisdiction, where the noncompliance resulted in 17 enforcement action by the person with jurisdiction over the applicant. 18 (5) Whether the applicant has filed, or had filed against it, a proceeding for 19 bankruptcy or has ever been involved in any formal process to adjust, defer, suspend, 20 or otherwise negotiate the payment of any debt. 21 (6) Whether or not at the time of the application, the applicant is a defendant 22 in litigation involving the integrity of its business practices. 23 §9095. Sports wagering platform provider; permit; fee 24 A. The corporation may issue a sports wagering platform provider permit to 25 suitable persons to contract with the corporation to manage or operate the 26 corporation's sports book line-of-business. No person shall manage or operate the 27 corporation's sports book without a valid permit. 28 B. In addition to the requirements set forth in R.S. 47:9094, the corporation 29 shall provide by rule for the standards and requirements of any sports wagering Page 26 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 platform. The rules shall specify technical requirements as well as operational 2 requirements. 3 C. Any contract between the corporation and a sports wagering platform 4 provider shall provide for access to the corporation of any information maintained 5 by the platform provider for verification of compliance with this Chapter. 6 D. A sports wagering platform provider shall use no more than one sports 7 wagering platform to offer, conduct, or operate a sports book on behalf of the 8 corporation. 9 E. A sports wagering platform provider shall keep books and records for the 10 management and operation of sports wagering as authorized by this Chapter and for 11 services for which it is contracted by the corporation. The keeping of books and 12 records shall be separate and distinct from any other business the sports wagering 13 platform provider might operate. A sports wagering platform provider shall file 14 quarterly returns with the corporation listing all of its contracts and services related 15 to sports wagering authorized under this Subtitle. 16 F. All servers necessary for the placement or resolution of wagers, other than 17 backup servers, shall be physically located in Louisiana. 18 G. Any sports wagering platform utilized for electronic wagering shall have 19 a component of its design to reasonably verify that the person attempting to place the 20 wager is at least twenty-one years of age, physically located in the state, and not 21 physically located in a parish that has not approved a proposition to authorize sports 22 wagering at the time the wager is initiated or placed. 23 H.(1) The initial application fee for a sports wagering platform provider 24 permit shall be one hundred thousand dollars and shall be non-refundable. The initial 25 application fee shall be submitted to the corporation at the time of application. 26 (2) The permit fee for a sports wagering platform provider permit issued 27 pursuant to this Section shall be two hundred fifty thousand dollars. The permit shall 28 be for a term of five years. The permit fee shall be submitted to the corporation on 29 the anniversary date of the issuance of the permit every five years. Page 27 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 I. The provider of a sports wagering platform shall provide the corporation 2 with a readily available point of contact to ensure compliance with the requirements 3 of this Chapter. 4 §9096. Sports wagering service providers; permit; fee 5 A. The corporation shall issue a sports wagering service provider permit to 6 suitable persons which contract with an operator to provide support services for an 7 operator's sports book. A person shall not provide support services to the operator 8 without a valid permit. 9 B. Any contract between the corporation and a sports wagering service 10 provider shall provide for access to the corporation of any information maintained 11 by the platform provider for verification of compliance with this Chapter. 12 C. A sports wagering service provider shall keep books and records for the 13 management of sports wagering as authorized by this Chapter and for services for 14 which it is contracted by the operator. The keeping of books and records shall be 15 separate and distinct from any other business the sports wagering service provider 16 might operate. A sports wagering service provider shall file quarterly returns with 17 the corporation listing all of its contracts and services related to sports wagering 18 authorized under this Subtitle. 19 D. The initial application fee for a sports wagering service provider permit 20 shall be ten thousand dollars and shall be non-refundable. The initial application fee 21 shall be submitted to the corporation at the time of application. 22 E. The permit fee for a sports wagering service provider permit issued 23 pursuant to this Section shall be twelve thousand five hundred dollars. The permit 24 shall be for a term of five years. The permit fee shall be submitted to the corporation 25 on the anniversary date of the issuance of the permit every five years. The first 26 permit payment shall be submitted to the corporation at the time of application. 27 §9097. Sports wagering distributor; permit; fees 28 A.(1) The corporation may issue a sports wagering distributor permit to any 29 suitable business or legal entity that markets, buys, sells, leases, services, or repairs Page 28 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 sports wagering mechanisms in this state. No person shall market, buy, sell, lease, 2 service, or repair a sports wagering mechanism without a valid permit. 3 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, only 4 distributors domiciled in Louisiana shall be issued a permit for the services of 5 collection and repair of sports wagering mechanisms. 6 B. Any contract between the corporation and a sports wagering distributor 7 shall provide for access to the corporation of any information maintained by the 8 distributor for verification of compliance with this Chapter. 9 C. The initial application fee for a sports wagering distributor permit shall 10 be five thousand dollars and shall be non-refundable. The initial application fee shall 11 be submitted to the corporation at the time of application. 12 D. The permit fee for a sports wagering distributor permit issued pursuant 13 to this Section shall be two thousand five hundred dollars. The permit shall be for a 14 term of five years. The permit fee shall be submitted to the corporation on the 15 anniversary date of the issuance of the permit every five years. The first permit 16 payment shall be submitted to the corporation at the time of application. 17 E. The corporation shall adopt written policies and rules to guarantee that 18 multiple distributors and vendors shall contract with the operator to provide 19 maximum opportunities for economic development. 20 §9098. Retail establishments; permit; fees 21 A. The corporation may issue a retail establishment permit to suitable persons 22 that contract with an operator to host sports wagering mechanisms. A retail 23 establishment shall not host a sports wagering mechanism without a valid permit. 24 B. For purposes of this Chapter retail establishment shall include: 25 (1) An establishment that has a Class A-General retail permit or a Class A- 26 Restaurant permit as defined in Part II of Chapter 1 or Part II of Chapter 2 of Title 27 26 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, for the sale of alcoholic beverages for 28 on-premises consumption and that is located in a parish that approved a proposition 29 to authorize sports wagering. Page 29 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 (2) An establishment that holds a retail food establishment permit from the 2 office of public health issued pursuant to the provisions of LAC 51:XXIII 101 et seq. 3 and that is located within a parish that approved a proposition to authorize sports 4 wagering but due to local and municipal laws and ordinances is prohibited from 5 holding a Class A-General retail permit or a Class A-Restaurant permit as defined 6 in Part II of Chapter 1 or Part II of Chapter 2 of Title 26 of the Louisiana Revised 7 Statutes of 1950 for the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption. 8 C. The initial application fee for a sports wagering retail establishment permit 9 shall be one thousand dollars and shall be non-refundable. The initial application fee 10 shall be submitted to the corporation at the time of application. 11 D. The permit fee for a sports wagering retail establishment permit issued 12 pursuant to this Section shall be one hundred dollars. The permit shall be for a term 13 of one year. The permit fee shall be submitted to the corporation on the anniversary 14 date of the issuance of the permit every year. The first permit payment shall be 15 submitted to the corporation at the time of application. 16 E.(1) The corporation shall provide by rule the minimum requirements of a 17 contract between its sports wagering platform provider and a retail establishment. 18 The rules shall include a requirement that the contract provide that in consideration 19 for the hosting of a sports wagering mechanism, the retail establishment shall be paid 20 the greater of the following each month: 21 (a) One and one half percent of the cash accumulated in the sports wagering 22 mechanisms located on the retail establishment's premises. 23 (b) Ten percent of the net gaming proceeds of all wagers placed by patrons 24 through a sports wagering mechanism located on the premises of the retail 25 establishment and wagers placed through an operator website or mobile application 26 while the patron is located on the premises of the retail establishment. 27 (2) The monies owed to the retail establishment pursuant to Paragraph (1) of 28 this Subsection shall be remitted to the retail establishment within twenty days of the 29 end of each calendar month for the immediately preceding calendar month. Page 30 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 §9099. Wagering; limitations 2 A. To place a sports wager with an operator, the corporation shall confirm 3 and a player shall meet all of the following requirements: 4 (1) Is twenty-one years of age or older. 5 (2) Is physically located in a parish that has approved a proposition 6 authorizing sports wagering at the time the wager is initiated or placed. 7 (3) Has a sports wagering account established with the operator if the player 8 is attempting to place a sports wager through a website or mobile application. 9 (4) Is not prohibited from wagering with the corporation by law, rule, policy 10 of the corporation, self-exclusion, or pursuant to R.S. 27:27.1. 11 B.(1) The operator shall not knowingly accept wagers from a person who is 12 an athlete, coach, referee, or other official or staff of a participant or team that is 13 participating in the sports event on which the person is attempting to place the wager. 14 (2) The operator shall not knowingly accept wagers from a person who is a 15 director, officer, owner, or employee of the operator or any relative or other person 16 living in the same household as a director, officer, owner, or employee of the 17 operator. 18 C. No sports wagers may be accepted or paid by any operator on any of the 19 following: 20 (1) Any sport or athletic event not authorized by law. 21 (2) Any sport or athletic event which the operator knows or reasonably 22 should know is being placed by or on behalf of an official, owner, coach, or staff of 23 a participant or team that participates in that event. 24 (3) A single act in a team event solely in the control of one participant acting 25 independently. 26 (4) The occurrence of injuries or penalties, or the outcome of an athlete's 27 disciplinary rulings, or replay reviews. 28 D. Any operator or permittee shall promptly report to the corporation on the 29 following activities: Page 31 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 (1) Any criminal or disciplinary proceedings commenced against any 2 operator or its employees, in connection with the operations of the sports book. 3 (2) Any abnormal wagering activity or patterns that may indicate a concern 4 about the integrity of a sports event. 5 (3) Any other conduct with the potential to corrupt a wagering outcome of 6 a sports event for purposes of financial gain, including but not limited to match 7 fixing. 8 (4) Suspicious or illegal wagering activities, including the use of funds 9 derived from illegal activity, wagers to conceal or launder funds derived from illegal 10 activity, use of agents to place wagers, or use of false identification. 11 E. Operators shall establish and display the odds at which wagers may be 12 placed on sports events. Operators shall not accept a wager via a sports wagering 13 mechanism, or through a website or mobile application unless the wagering 14 proposition is posted by electronic or manual means. 15 F. Operators shall maintain records of sports wagering activities and 16 operations and follow AML practices in day-to-day operations of its business. 17 §9100. Electronic wagering 18 A. Electronic wagering may be conducted only to the extent that it is 19 conducted in accordance with this Subtitle and in accordance with the rules 20 promulgated by the corporation. 21 B. The corporation may accept wagers made electronically using a sports 22 wagering mechanism located on the premises of a permitted retail establishment or 23 through a website or mobile application. 24 §9101. Sports wagering mechanism 25 A. (1) A player may place a wager via a sports wagering mechanism with 26 cash or utilizing the player's established sports wagering account. 27 (2) A sports wagering mechanism may be utilized by a player to make a 28 deposit in their sports wagering account. Page 32 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 B. Sports wagering mechanisms shall be located only in areas where 2 accessibility is limited to patrons twenty-one years of age or older and have been 3 permitted by the corporation. 4 C. Sports wagering mechanisms shall be branded as the operator. 5 D. Any sports wager placed with cash via a sports wagering mechanism shall 6 be evidenced by a ticket indicating the name of the operator, the sports event on 7 which the wager was placed, the amount of cash wagered, the type of bet and odds 8 if applicable, the date of the event, and any other information required by the 9 corporation. 10 E.(1) Wagers placed via a sports wagering mechanism through a player's 11 established sports wagering account may be settled through the player's wagering 12 account. However, the player shall be prohibited from collecting winnings from the 13 sports wagering mechanism in any form other than credits to the sports wagering 14 account of the player. 15 (2) A patron with a winning ticket shall redeem the ticket at an establishment 16 designated by the corporation within one hundred eighty days of the date of the event 17 pursuant to R.S. 47:9103. 18 F. Each sports wagering mechanism shall: 19 (1) Not have any device or program that will alter the reading of the values 20 or amounts of play to reflect values or amounts other than actually played or any 21 switches, jumpers, wire posts, or any other means of manipulation that could affect 22 the operation or outcome of a wager. 23 (2) Not have any device, switch, program, or function that can alter the 24 readings of the actual amounts or values relating to any function or occurrence of the 25 mechanism. 26 (3) Have separate secure areas with locking doors for the game logic board 27 and software, the cash compartment, and the mechanical meters as required by the 28 rules of the corporation. These areas must be locked and separated. Access to one 29 from the other shall not be allowed at any time. Page 33 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 (4) Not have any functions or parameters adjustable by or through any 2 separate video display or input codes, except for the adjustment of features that are 3 wholly cosmetic. 4 (5) Have a circuit-interrupting device, method, or capability which will 5 disable the machine if the corporation approved program is accessed or altered. 6 (6) Have a serial number or other identification number permanently affixed 7 to the mechanism by the manufacturer. 8 G. Each sports wagering mechanism shall be linked by telecommunication 9 to a central computer for purposes of polling or reading mechanism activities and for 10 central computer remote shutdown of mechanism operations. If the central computer 11 system fails as a result of a malfunction or catastrophic event, the mechanism may 12 remain in operation until the central computer system is restored. 13 H. The corporation may provide for additional specifications for mechanisms 14 to be approved and authorized pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter as it deems 15 necessary to maintain the integrity of sports wagering mechanisms and operations. 16 §9102. Online and mobile wagering 17 Wagering through a website or mobile application shall be subject to the 18 following requirements: 19 A.(1) A player shall establish a sports wagering account with the operator 20 before the operator accepts any sports wager through a website or mobile application 21 from the player. The operator shall also complete an initial verification of the 22 account prior to accepting sports wagers. 23 (2) An account may be established with a line of credit or as an advance 24 deposit wagering account. 25 B. No operator shall accept a sports wager through a website or mobile 26 application from the public or any person who does not have an established account 27 with the corporation. 28 C. No wagers shall be placed when the player is physically located out of 29 state or in a parish that has not approved a proposition authorizing sports wagering. 30 An operator shall maintain geofencing and geolocation services. Page 34 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 §9103. Prizes; payment of prizes 2 A.(1) Winning wagers that were placed via a sports wagering mechanism 3 with cash and are evidenced by a ticket receipt shall be redeemed by a player within 4 one hundred eighty days from the time of the event. The corporation shall pay tickets 5 upon presentation after performing validation procedures. 6 (2) Winning wagers placed using a sports wagering account shall be credited 7 by the operator to the patron's account within one day from the time of the event 8 unless otherwise allowed pursuant to the rules of the corporation. 9 B. The operator's obligation to pay winning tickets shall expire after one 10 hundred eighty days from the date of the event if not presented for payment. 11 Additionally, if the ticket fails to be presented for payment within the one hundred 12 and eighty day period, the ticket holder waives any right to enforce payment of the 13 ticket. 14 C. If the proceeds of any sports wagering prize issued pursuant to this 15 Subtitle are five hundred dollars or more, the prize shall be subject to Louisiana 16 state income tax. Any attachments, garnishments, or executions authorized and 17 issued pursuant to law shall also be withheld if timely served upon the process agent 18 of the corporation. 19 D. The corporation shall adopt rules to establish a system of verifying the 20 validity of tickets claimed to win prizes and to effect payment of such prizes except 21 that: 22 (1) No prize, nor any portion of a prize, nor any right of any person to a prize 23 awarded shall be assignable. Any prize, or portion thereof, remaining unpaid at the 24 death of a prizewinner shall be paid to the estate of the deceased prizewinner or to 25 the trustee of a trust established by the deceased prizewinner as settlor, if a copy of 26 the trust document or instrument has been filed with the corporation, along with a 27 notarized letter of direction from the settlor, and no written notice of revocation has 28 been received by the corporation prior to the settlor's death. Following a settlor's 29 death and prior to any payment to such a trustee, the corporation shall obtain from 30 the trustee and each trust beneficiary a written agreement to indemnify and hold the Page 35 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 corporation harmless with respect to any claims that may be asserted against the 2 corporation arising from payment to or through the trust. Notwithstanding any other 3 provisions of this Subtitle, any person, pursuant to an appropriate judicial order, shall 4 be paid the prize to which a winner is entitled. 5 (2) A person twenty-one years of age or older may gift a winning sports 6 wagering ticket to a person of any age. If the donee of a winning ticket is under the 7 age of twenty-one years, the corporation shall direct payment to a member of the 8 person's family who is twenty-one years of age or older or to the legal representative 9 of the person on behalf of such person. The person named as custodian shall have the 10 same powers and duties as prescribed for a custodian pursuant to the Uniform 11 Transfers to Minors Act. 12 (3) No prize shall be paid arising from claimed tickets that are stolen, 13 counterfeit, altered, fraudulent, unissued, produced or issued in error, unreadable, not 14 received, unclaimed, or not recorded by the corporation within applicable deadlines. 15 (4) No particular prize shall be paid more than once, and in the event of a 16 binding determination that more than one claimant is entitled to a particular prize, 17 the sole remedy of such claimants is the award to each of them an equal share in the 18 prize. 19 E. No prize shall be paid upon a ticket purchased or sold in violation of this 20 Subtitle. 21 F. The corporation is discharged of all liability upon payment of a prize. 22 §9104. Withholding of lottery prizes; child support arrearages; rules 23 The corporation shall promulgate rules providing for the withholding of 24 prizes resulting from sports wagering authorized pursuant to this Section, of persons 25 who have outstanding child support arrearages as reported to the corporation, 26 beginning at prize levels to be determined by the corporation. The corporation may 27 require any agency reporting current child support arrearages to the corporation to 28 provide information relating to such arrearages in a manner, format, or record Page 36 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 approved by the corporation. The corporation shall not be liable for withholding a 2 prize based upon child support arrearage information provided to it. Additionally, the 3 corporation shall employ the same methods, procedures, and parameters to withhold 4 prizes for persons who have delinquent debt as defined in R.S. 47:1676(B)(4) which 5 has been assigned to the office of debt recovery for collection. The corporation shall 6 not be liable for withholding prize based upon delinquent debt information provided 7 to it by the office of debt recovery. 8 §9105. State tax; levy 9 A. There is hereby levied a ten percent tax upon the net gaming proceeds of 10 an operator from sports wagering offered to consumers within this state pursuant to 11 this Title onsite at a permitted retail establishment through a sports wagering 12 mechanism. 13 B. There is hereby levied a fifteen percent tax upon the net gaming proceeds 14 of an operator from sports wagering offered to consumers within this state pursuant 15 to this Title electronically through a website or mobile application. 16 C. Within twenty days of the last day of each calendar month the corporation 17 shall collect the taxes imposed pursuant to the provisions of this Section for the 18 immediately preceding calendar month. 19 D. All taxes collected by the corporation pursuant to this Section shall be 20 deposited into the Community and Family Support System Fund as provided by R.S. 21 28:826. These monies shall be forwarded upon receipt to the state treasury. Funds 22 deposited into the treasury shall first be credited to the Bond Security and 23 Redemption Fund in accordance with Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution 24 of Louisiana. 25 E. In a month when the amount of net gaming proceeds of an operator from 26 sports wagering is a negative number, the operator may carry over the negative 27 amount to the return filed for the subsequent month. However, no amount shall be Page 37 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 carried over in any period more than twelve months after the month in which the 2 amount carried over was originally due. 3 §9106. Deposit of revenues 4 Within twenty days following the close of each calendar month, the 5 corporation shall transfer to the Lottery Sports Wagering Fund the amount of net 6 revenue which the corporation determines is surplus to its needs. Net revenues shall 7 be determined by deducting from the corporation's net gaming proceeds the payment 8 costs incurred or estimated to be incurred in the operation and administration of 9 sports wagering authorized pursuant to this Chapter. This shall include the expenses 10 of the corporation and the costs resulting from determining applicant suitability, and 11 any contracts entered into for promotional, advertising, or operational services or for 12 the purchase or lease of sports wagering equipment and materials. 13 §9107. Lottery Sports Wagering Fund 14 A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special fund designated as 15 the "Lottery Sports Wagering Fund ", hereafter referred to as the "fund". After 16 allocation of money to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as provided in 17 Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, the treasurer shall deposit 18 in and credit to the fund all corporation net revenue as determined by R.S. 47:9106. 19 Interest earned on investment of monies in the fund shall be deposited in and credited 20 to the fund. Unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund shall remain in the 21 fund. Monies in the fund shall be appropriated, administered, and used solely as 22 provided in this Section. 23 B. The monies in the fund shall be withdrawn only pursuant to appropriation 24 by the legislature and shall be used solely for the expenses provided pursuant to R.S. 25 47:9106 and for the minimum foundation program. Page 38 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HB NO. 697 ENROLLED 1 Section 5. This Act shall take effect and become operative if and when the Act which 2 originated as Senate Bill No. 202 of this 2021 Regular Session of the Legislature is enacted 3 and becomes effective. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED: Page 39 of 39 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions.