Louisiana lawmakers have approved legislation that could significantly increase penalties for illegal gambling, including classifying certain activities as racketeering offenses. The measure now awaits a decision from Governor Jeff Landry, who can either sign or veto it.
House Bill 53, introduced by Representative Bryan Fontenot, passed the House with an 86-11 vote on March 30 and cleared the Senate by a 27-9 margin on April 27. Lawmakers did not amend the bill, allowing it to move quickly through final procedural steps before reaching the governor’s desk in early May.
Proposed Penalties Expand Under Racketeering Law
If enacted, the legislation would revise existing statutes by adding several gambling-related violations to the list of crimes considered racketeering activity under the Louisiana Racketeering Act. These include gambling in public, computer-based wagering, use of electronic sweepstakes devices, unlawful betting by restricted individuals, and bribery involving sports participants.
The proposed penalties exceed those typically associated with illegal gambling in the United States. Individuals found guilty could face fines of up to $1 million and prison sentences that extend to 50 years, with hard labor possible. In cases where the value of the offense surpasses $10,000, offenders would be required to serve at least five years without eligibility for probation, parole, or suspension.
The bill specifically targets operations such as dual-currency sweepstakes casinos, which lawmakers have increasingly scrutinized.
Governor’s Prior Stance Raises Uncertainty
The measure’s future remains unclear given the governor’s previous position on related legislation. In 2025, Landry vetoed a bill that aimed to ban sweepstakes gaming, arguing that existing enforcement powers already allowed authorities to address illegal activity.
In his veto message at the time, Landry wrote: “As such, 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.”
Following that veto, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board issued cease-and-desist notices to operators offering sweepstakes-style and offshore gambling services.
Despite the governor’s earlier concerns, some state officials have backed the stricter approach.
Separate Bill Targets Sweepstakes Platforms
Alongside House Bill 53, lawmakers are advancing another proposalfocused on online sweepstakes-style gaming. House Bill 883, introduced by Representative Laurie Schlegel, passed the House unanimously with a 99-0 vote on April 14 and later received favorable consideration from a Senate committee.
This measure would expand the legal definition of illegal gambling to include dual-currency systems that mimic wagering.
Violations could lead to fines of up to $40,000 and prison terms of up to five years, with each wager treated as a separate offense. The legislation would also grant the Attorney General’s office authority to pursue temporary or permanent injunctions.
House Bill 883 has advanced to the Senate Legislative Bureau, which previously approved House Bill 53 in April. Together, the measures reflect a broader push in Louisiana to strengthen enforcement against evolving gambling activity.
Source:
“Louisiana passes bill to make illegal gambling a racketeering felony”, sbcamericas.com, May 4, 2026
The post Louisiana Moves To Toughen Illegal Gambling Laws first appeared on RealMoneyAction.com.