State officials confirmed yesterday that plans to introduce sports betting laws in Louisiana were being worked on “as fast as possible”, however they could not yet give a firm deadline when the retail and online launch would finally take place.
According to the officials who spoke at a meeting held by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board on Thursday night, eight sports betting operators have already applied for licenses. Background checks are already being run on the operators, who have partnered with existing gambling entities in the Bayou State.
The advancement of Louisiana’s sports betting industry was put on the backburner for a while as the state focused on recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. But Gaming Control Board chair, Ronnie Johns assured all parties that his staff have been working overtime to get the industry up and running. Ever since Johns took over as chair in August, he has focused on providing a launch date to operators.
20 of Louisiana’s gaming facilities that are allowed to partner with online and retail sportsbook operators, including 15 riverboat casinos, four horse tracks and a land-based casino, are all in the licensing process. It was confirmed that they will not have to pass through an additional licensing process besides what is required to open their sportsbooks.
