Path to legalized sports betting heads to Louisiana governor

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A proposal that paves the way for legalized sports betting in some Louisiana parishes is headed to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ desk.

If the Democratic governor agrees to the measure as expected, voters in each of the state’s 64 parishes will decide in the Nov. 3 election whether to authorize sports wagering in their parish.

The House sent the bill by Sen. Cameron Henry, a Metairie Republican, with a 72-23 vote Wednesday. The Senate already had agreed to the legislation in a 29-8 vote.

Sports betting only will be legal in parishes where a majority of those casting ballots in the November election agree to it. But even in those parishes that authorize wagering, people interested in betting will have to wait a year or more to do so.

Additional legislation to create the licensing, regulation and tax structures would be required.

Lawmakers will need to decide on which sports the betting is allowed and whether professional, college and international sports events will be included. They’ll need to determine where the wagers could happen, such as at state casinos, through online sites or elsewhere. And they’ll have to settle how the activity will be taxed.

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Senate Bill 130: www.legis.la.gov