News: Governor Vetoes Sweepstakes Ban Bill In Louisiana
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed a bill that would have banned sweepstakes casinos in the state.
The bill (SB 181) had passed unanimously in both chambers of the legislature. Among other provisions, the legislation aimed to “prohibit sweepstakes gaming.”
In his veto message to the legislature, Landry said:
“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.”
“The Board, the Louisiana Attorney General's Office, and the LSP Gaming Division are all monitoring this type of activity and will continue to issue additional cease-and-desist letters to similar illegal offshore wagering and illegal online sweepstakes companies that intentionally design their business models to circumvent Louisiana gaming laws and regulations.”
“…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.“
While there are clearly enough votes to override the veto, the will to do so in the legislature is likely low:
Last year, the legislature declined to call a veto session despite a number of vetoes from Landry.
Legislators have overridden vetoes only three times since the 1974 constitution.
Only one of those came via a veto session; that was in 2022, when the governor was a Democrat and the legislature was controlled by Republicans.
Landry said Thursday that he planned to call a special session of the legislature.
Here is the full veto message from Landry:
I am writing to inform you that I have vetoed Senate Bill 181 of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session. This bill attempts to criminalize certain secondary gambling activities on the internet that are already prohibited in Louisiana. Our current Louisiana Gaming Control Board has the regulatory authority, control, and jurisdiction over all aspects of gaming activities and operations pursuant to the Louisiana Gaming Control Law. Furthermore, the Board, the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division, and the Louisiana Attorney General's Office are all tasked with ensuring the initial and continuing suitability of all gaming licensees and permittees and eliminating, to the extent possible, known criminal and corrupt influences on Louisiana's gaming industry.
The 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. Most recently, the Board took successful action to uphold the integrity of gaming laws in Louisiana by issuing a cease-and-desist order to Harp Media B.V. d/b/a Bovada to immediately halt its illegal online gambling activities within Louisiana. The Board's firm stance against such operations is aimed at protecting Louisiana residents from unregulated gambling activities that violate state laws.
The Board, the Louisiana Attorney General's Office, and the LSP Gaming Division are all monitoring this type of activity and will continue to issue additional cease-and-desist letters to similar illegal offshore wagering and illegal online sweepstakes companies that intentionally design their business models to circumvent Louisiana gaming laws and regulations. The Board and its regulatory partners will take further action as deemed necessary to enforce state gaming laws, protect patrons and bettors, and maintain the integrity of Louisiana's gaming industry. The Board remains dedicated to promoting a secure and regulated gaming environment in Louisiana. 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.
For these reasons, Senate Bill 181 is not necessary.