The Louisiana legislature is set to evaluate a range of gambling policy reforms starting March 9, 2026, in Baton Rouge. Legislators are gearing up to pre-file proposals for discussion once the State Senate and House reconvene next week.
The legislative proposals will focus on sports betting, regulations for sweepstakes casinos, expectations for bettors’ behavior towards athletes, and the expansion of online lottery sales. The session is scheduled from March 9 until June 1, with a deadline for chamber crossover by May 29.
Legislators Review Sweepstakes Casino Regulations
Legislators are considering new regulations targeting online sweepstakes casinos.
House Bill 883, put forth by Rep. Laurie Schlegel, aims to update Louisiana’s definition of unlawful online gambling to include games that mimic gambling and operate on a “dual-currency payment system,” allowing players to convert in-game currency for the opportunity to win prizes or cash equivalents.
This proposal will encompass sweepstakes operators and associated entities such as platform providers and payment processors. It would empower Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office to issue cease-and-desist orders and pursue temporary restraining orders or injunctions.
This initiative follows last year’s legislative efforts when Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed a bill prohibiting online sweepstakes casinos, asserting that state authorities already possessed adequate authority to tackle illegal operators.
Following the veto, Murrill’s office released a legal opinion declaring sweepstakes casinos illegal. Since then, the Attorney General’s office and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board confirmed they had dispatched over 40 cease-and-desist letters to operators.
Additionally, House Bill 53 proposes designating the operation of an online sweepstakes casino as a racketeering offense under state law, potentially leading to imprisonment for 5 to 50 years and fines up to $1 million.
New Measures for Prop Bets and Micro-Bets
Sports betting regulations are also on the agenda. Senate Bill 354, pre-filed by Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews and tentatively assigned to the Judiciary B Committee, aims to amend Louisiana’s sports betting laws by eliminating “proposition bets” from the list of allowed wagers. The legislation defines a prop bet as “a side wager” concerning aspects of a sport or athletic event that do not pertain to the final outcome.
While existing regulations include “in-game wagering” and “in-play bets,” the bill will introduce a specific definition for a “sports micro-bet.” This will be defined as a prop bet made during a live sports event, focusing on outcomes of specific plays or actions.
This proposal would ban licensed sportsbooks from accepting prop bets or micro-bets under these newly established definitions. If passed by both chambers and signed into law, it would take effect on August 1, 2026.
A number of states have considered restrictions on college prop bets in recent years. Louisiana’s measure would impose a blanket ban on all prop bets, reminiscent of a proposal put forward in Colorado.
Online Lottery Legalization Initiative
Two companion measures, House Bill 643 and Senate Bill 119, aim to legalize online lottery sales in Louisiana. These measures would remove iLottery from the state’s illegal gambling classification.
Regulators will need to ensure proper age verification and geolocation technologies are implemented.
Last year, the Louisiana Lottery Corporation reported its revenue hit a three-year low, with declines noted in both 2024 and 2025. Louisiana Lottery President and CEO Rose Hudson mentioned late last year that they could explore iLottery options if a system could be established that wouldn’t jeopardize revenue for physical retailers.
Conduct Associated with Sports Betting
Lawmakers will also examine proposals related to sports betting conduct. House Bill 53 aims to categorize bribery of athletes and other sports figures as a racketeering offense.
Senate Bill 325, proposed by Sen. Mike Reese, would expand the state’s list of excluded gamblers to include anyone who threatens violence or harm related to sports gaming before, during, or after a sporting event.
The legislation would also ban individuals whose presence in retail sportsbooks or involvement in mobile sports betting is deemed a risk to state interests or the regulation of sports wagering.
The harassment of athletes linked to sports betting has gained attention in several states, especially in college sports. NCAA President Charlie Baker has emphasized the need to protect student-athletes from such abuses when discussing limits on college player prop bets. Some professional athletes have reported being targeted by bettors.