The state of Louisiana is on the verge of passing a new law enabling gaming regulators to prohibit specific residents from accessing retail sportsbooks and mobile betting platforms if they engage in threatening behavior towards athletes in relation to gambling.
Senate Bill 325 is currently awaiting the decision of Governor Jeff Landry, following the Louisiana House Speaker Rep. Phillip DeVillier’s signature on Monday, marking the last administrative hurdle before the bill is sent to the governor. If Landry does not act, it will automatically become law.
This bill, which garnered unanimous approval from both legislative chambers, aims to revise state regulations to introduce a new group of individuals eligible for exclusion by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
The legislation is aimed at persons “who may be barred from or removed from retail sportsbooks and mobile wagering operations” according to the LGCB.
The law specifically focuses on individuals who “threaten violence or intimidate” against athletes in contexts connected to gambling. The bill encompasses threats made “before, during, or after sporting events.” Furthermore, the LGCB can exclude individuals deemed “a threat to the state’s interests.”
Individuals placed on the exclusion list must be notified by the LGCB and have the right to a hearing to discuss their exclusion. An attempt by an excluded individual to enter any gambling venue without permission from the LGCB could result in up to six months in jail or a fine of as much as $500.
Operators may also face penalties under this new law. A sportsbook or gambling operator identified as having “a consistent pattern of willful negligence” regarding the exclusion list risks suspension or revocation of their licenses or permits.
The introduction of this legislation responds to heightened concerns about gambling-related harassment of athletes in various U.S. sports. Data from the NCAA and Signify revealed that last year’s March Madness event produced around 54,096 suspicious social media posts, of which 3,161 were categorized as abusive. Signify initiated 103 investigations into these communications, with 10 cases forwarded to law enforcement.
Sports betting companies have also taken action in recent incidents. For instance, FanDuel banned a user who verbally attacked Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas. Earlier this year, BetMGM implemented a policy to suspend accounts involved in sending hostile messages or using inappropriate language towards athletes.