The original instrument was prepared by Dawn Romero Watson. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared
by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
SB 50 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Reese
Present law restricts certain persons from placing a wager on a sports event based on age, location,
affiliation with an individual participant or team in the sports event, and other factors. Present law
also provides for a uniform compulsive and problem gambling program that allows an individual to
request their placement on a list to be excluded from gaming activities at all gaming establishments.
In addition, gaming licensees, operators and sports governing bodies typically have various
restrictions on the placement of sports wagers by their employees, players and members.
Proposed law creates the crime of a prohibited player placing a wager on a sports event, personally
or through another individual or proxy. Provides that it shall also be a crime for a person or entity
to facilitate or place a sports wager on behalf of a prohibited player.
Proposed law defines "prohibited player" as a person who is prohibited from placing a wager on a
sports event by any of the following:
(1)The sports wagering chapter in the Louisiana Gaming Control Law or in the correlating
Louisiana Administrative Code.
(2)Participation in a self-restriction or self-exclusion program in accordance with the Louisiana
Gaming Control Law or in the correlating Louisiana Administrative Code.
(3)Any other law, administrative rule, or policy of any jurisdiction, the sports wagering
operator, the sports book, or a sports governing body.
Proposed law provides a criminal penalty for a violation of proposed law of a fine not more than
$500, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. On a second and subsequent violation,
the penalty shall be a fine of $1,000, or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
Proposed law provides whoever conducts, finances, manages, supervises, directs, leases, or owns
all or part of a business when the person knowingly allows a prohibited player to wager on a sports
event shall be fined not more than $20,000, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more
than five years, or both.
Proposed law provides that a person, business, or entity licensed, or sports wagering operator
permitted, pursuant to the sports wagering law shall not be subject to the penalty if the licensee or
permittee has taken commercially reasonable methods to prevent a prohibited player from placing
a wager on a sports event in person, on a sports wagering mechanism, or through a mobile
application. Proposed law provides that a sports wagering platform provider permitted by the Louisiana Lottery
shall not be subject to the penalty if the permittee has taken commercially reasonable methods to
prevent a prohibited player from placing a wager on a sports event on a sports wagering mechanism
or through a mobile application.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 14:90.8)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary B to the original bill
1. Makes technical change.