Louisiana Prefiles Several Gambling Bills, Including Bans on Sweepstakes and Prop Bets, Ahead of 2026 Session

Louisiana’s 2026 legislative session doesn’t open until next week, but lawmakers have already prefiled a set of gambling bills, aiming to reshape the state’s gambling statutes. The proposals include bans on sweepstakes-style platforms and prop and micro bets, an expansion of racketeering exposure, and renewed efforts to legalize iLottery.

Below is a comprehensive look at key proposals and provisions waiting on debate in Baton Rouge.

Sweepstakes-Style Enforcement: House Bill 883

House Bill 883 tightens Louisiana’s existing “gambling by computer” statute. HB 883 targets online and mobile games that:

“…utilize a dual-currency system of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any prize or award, cash, or cash equivalents… and simulates any form of gambling…”

The bill expands enforcement beyond operators to include platform providers and financial transaction providers.

It allows the attorney general to issue cease-and-desist orders and to seek a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, an injunction, or an ex parte injunction.

HB 883 also raises the penalties for offering gambling games by computer from $20,000 to $100,000 per violation, while retaining the potential five-year imprisonment terms.

Louisiana’s Governor Vetoed a Sweeps Ban Bill in 2025

HB 883 is not the first attempt by Louisiana lawmakers to ban sweepstakes casinos. In 2025, the Legislature passed a prohibition bill, but Governor Jeff Landry vetoed it, arguing that authorities already had sufficient power to target the segment.

After his veto, the state’s gaming regulator and attorney general issued over 40 cease and desist letters each, with the top prosecutor issuing a legal opinion that sweepstakes casinos are illegal. The enforcement actions have led most major platforms to exit the state.

Senate Bill 354: Prop Bets and Micro-Bets to Be Barred

Another significant proposal is Senate Bill 354, which aims to remove prop and micro bets from the list of allowable wagers at Louisiana sportsbooks.

Under current law, the Louisiana statute defines sports wagering to include:

“single-game bets, teaser bets, parlay bets, over-under bets, moneyline bets, pools, exchange wagering, in-game wagering, in-play bets, proposition bets, and straight bets.”

SB 354 seeks to remove “proposition bets” from that definition and explicitly prohibit them.

New Definitions, Broad Prohibition

The bill adds two new defined terms:

• “Proposition bet” or “prop bet” means a side wager on a part of a sport or athletic event that does not concern the final outcome…”
• “Sports micro-bet” means a proposition bet which is wagered live… and concerns the outcome of a play or action occurring in the sport or athletic event.”

If enacted, sportsbooks in Louisiana would be prohibited from offering:

• Player performance props
• In-game event props tied to individual plays
• Any prop markets not tied to outcomes

The bill sets an effective date of August 1, 2026.

Why It Matters

Player props and micro bets have become core revenue drivers for regulated sportsbooks nationwide. The proposal follows a wave of integrity investigations nationwide involving athlete-linked wagering and concerns over potential manipulation of prop markets.

Other states, including New York and New Jersey, are also considering prohibiting prop or micro bets.

Racketeering Update: HB 53

House Bill 53, which was prefiled in January, expands Louisiana’s racketeering predicate list. The bill aims to position unlawful gambling activity within the state’s broader enterprise crime apparatus.

HB 53 adds several statutory offenses as racketeering predicates, including:

• R.S. 14:90 (Gambling)
• R.S. 14:90.3 (Gambling by computer)
• R.S. 14:90.7 (Gambling by electronic sweepstakes device)
• R.S. 14:90.8 (Unlawful wagering; prohibited player)
• R.S. 14:118.1 (Bribery of sports participants)

The additions allow prosecutors to pursue enhanced enterprise-level racketeering charges — including potential asset forfeiture — when gambling violations are part of a broader criminal scheme.

iLottery Authorization: HB 643 and SB 119

Lawmakers in both chambers also seek to legalize the sale of online lottery tickets. Separate measures — HB 643 in the House and SB 119 in the Senate — would authorize internet lottery sales.

Both HB 643 and SB 119 clarify that internet lottery sales “…shall not be considered gambling…” or “gambling by computer”. The bills require age- and geolocation-verification systems to ensure participants are 21 years of age or older and physically located in Louisiana.

The measures mark a renewed push on iLottery in Louisiana. In 2025, lawmakers introduced a similar measure, but it did not advance past the committee stage. Many lawmakers nationwide have been more open to discussing iLottery than online casinos as potential new revenue streams for the state.

Other Gambling Bills

SB 325 — Ban on Bettors Who Harass Athletes

SB 325 expands Louisiana’s excluded persons framework to cover sports wagering and mobile betting, including individuals who “threaten violence or harm against any person who is involved in the sporting event, where the threat is related to sports gaming.”

With the measure, Louisiana becomes the latest state to target bettors who harass athletes. Other states with active bills include New Jersey and New York. States that have already implemented such measures include Ohio, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Meanwhile, last month, BetMGM tightened its terms and conditions, suspending customers who harass athletes or officials.

SB 294 — Promotional Play Deduction Assignment

SB 294 retains the existing $5 million annual promotional-play deduction but allows flexibility among licensees.

It allows multi-property operators to transfer unused promotional tax deductions to another licensed property, giving them more flexibility in managing promotional spending and tax exposure across facilities.

SB 339 — Background Check Expansion

SB 339 strengthens regulatory oversight by requiring “a fingerprint-based national criminal history record check” with fingerprints forwarded to the FBI for gaming license applicants.

The measure formalizes the use of federal-level background screening and tightens suitability standards across Louisiana’s gaming licensing framework.

HB 513 — High School NIL Expansion With Gambling Endorsement Ban

HB 513 authorizes high school athletes to earn NIL (name, image, and likeness) compensation. However, it prohibits NIL deals tied to casinos, sports betting, or any form of gambling.

The bill also requires parental consent for minors and restricts the use of school marks without permission.