Clock Ticking At Louisiana Capitol On Sports-Betting Tax, Horse Racing, LSU Football Bills

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Larry Henry

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With the Louisiana legislative session ending in two weeks, a bill to increase the online sports betting tax and other gaming and sports-related measures is awaiting final action.

The session at the Capitol in Baton Rouge ends on June 12. Below are gaming and sports-related bills that remain unresolved. A bill must win approval in the full House and Senate before being considered by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry.

Gaming, Sports-Related Measures Needing Final Votes

Here are outstanding gaming and sports-related pieces of legislation:

House Bill 639: This bill by Rep. Neil Riser, R-Columbia, would increase the tax on online sports betting from 15% to 21.5%. The amended bill was approved on May 21 in the House with a 74-16 vote. On Tuesday, May 27, it was referred to the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs.
For the sports-betting tax increase to take effect, House Bill 594 by Rep. Chance Henry, R-Crowley, creating a flat insurance premium tax rate, must also be approved. On May 21, the full House approved HB594 on a 93-0 vote. It is awaiting action in the Senate.
House Bill 547: This bill, by Rep. Chad Boyer, R-Breaux Bridge, would authorize fixed-odds wagering on horse racing. It was voted out of the Committee on Appropriations and awaits action on the House floor.
Senate Bill 181: Sen. Adam Bass, R-Bossier City, has introduced this bill to ban online sweepstakes casinos. It has passed the Senate and is awaiting action in the House.
HCR 13: This measure by Rep. John Illg Jr., R-Harahan, requests that the Southeastern Conference schedule LSU football games after 6 p.m. in September “for health and safety reasons related to the heat during day games.” It was approved on May 22 in the House with an 86-0 vote and is awaiting action in the Senate.
HR 30: This resolution by Rep. Rhonda Butler, R-Ville Platte, would designate Opelousas as the horse capital of Louisiana. It is awaiting action in the House.