The Louisiana Gaming Control Board today approved emergency rules that would allow casinos to offer sports betting to their patrons. The casinos can apply with the board as soon as Monday to set up how their sports books will work.
Chairman Ronnie Johns says the goal all along was to make sure legal sports wagering in Louisiana was up and running prior to the start of the football season.
"I can tell you as we left the legislative session on June the tenth, I don't think that any of us had an inkling that we would be adopting these this quickly," Johns said.
The emergency rules approved by the board will give riverboat and land-based casinos and racetracks the ability to take sports bets.
Sports betting began in Mississippi in August of 2019 and Louisiana casino operators have complained about missing out on revenue. But Johns says sports betting is now a reality in Louisiana
Last year, voters in 55 parishes said yes to legalized sports betting in their parish.