Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has vetoed Senate Bill 181, legislation designed to prohibit sweepstakes gaming operations across the state. Despite unanimous support in both legislative chambers, the governor determined the proposed measure was unnecessary and potentially counterproductive, given existing regulatory efforts.
The bill’s primary goal was to formally ban internet-based sweepstakes casinos, which critics argue attempt to bypass Louisiana’s gaming laws. However, Landry emphasized that enforcement actions are already underway through multiple state agencies, rendering the bill redundant.
Landry: Existing Measures Already Address the Issue
In his veto message, Landry stated that state authorities are actively cracking down on illegal gaming, particularly online sweepstakes companies and offshore wagering platforms operating without proper authorization.
“The [Louisiana Gaming Control] Board is already taking active steps to combat illegal gambling in Louisiana, especially against illegal offshore wagering and illegal online sweepstakes companies operating in Louisiana,” Landry wrote.
He further explained that the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB), in coordination with the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division and the Attorney General’s Office, continues to monitor these operations. The agencies are issuing cease-and-desist orders to offenders and working to ensure all licensed gaming activities remain free from criminal influence.
The governor highlighted a recent enforcement action against Harp Media B.V., the operator of Bovada, which was ordered to cease its operations in Louisiana due to violations of state gambling laws.
Concerns Over Bill’s Language and Legal Ramifications
While affirming his administration’s dedication to eliminating unlawful gaming, Landry raised concerns about the language of SB 181. According to the governor, certain provisions within the bill were overly vague and could unintentionally interfere with existing enforcement mechanisms.
“This bill is a solution in search of a problem that is already being solved by our current system, and some of the language in this bill is overly broad and could be interpreted in an adverse manner which may harm or impede our current enforcement actions taken against these bad actors,” Landry stated.
Because the LGCB already holds full jurisdiction over gaming regulation in the state, Landry concluded that further legislative action on this front is unnecessary.
Legislative Override Possible but Unlikely
Although both chambers passed SB 181 unanimously, the prospect of a veto override appears slim. Historically, Louisiana lawmakers have rarely taken that route. Since the 1974 state constitution was adopted, vetoes have been overridden only three times—just once during a formal veto session.
Moreover, in 2024, the legislature chose not to convene a veto session, despite multiple bills being struck down by Landry, signaling that the appetite for confrontation over this issue remains limited.
Looking ahead, the governor has also indicated plans to convene a special legislative session, though details remain forthcoming.
Earlier this year, the Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) had flagged concerns that SB 181 might unintentionally reclassify lawful promotional prize draws as gambling—a potential complication the veto likely helped to avoid.
Source:
“Governor Vetoes Sweepstakes Ban Bill In Louisiana”, closingline.substack.com, Jun 13, 2025
The post Governor Landry Rejects Bill Aimed at Outlawing Sweepstakes Gaming first appeared on RealMoneyAction.com.