Louisiana Pushes Racketeering Bill On Gambling

Louisiana lawmakers have moved forward with legislation that would expand the state’s racketeering laws to include a range of gambling-related offenses, with a particular focus on sweepstakes-style gaming and organized illegal betting activity.

The Louisiana House approved House Bill 53 with strong support, sending the measure to the Senate for further review. Lawmakers backed the proposal by a wide margin during a floor vote, following earlier approval from the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice, which advanced the bill unanimously.

The proposal, introduced by Rep. Bryan Fontenot, seeks to broaden the definition of racketeering activity under state law by adding several gambling-related crimes. Once in the Senate, the bill received its first reading and is scheduled for additional consideration.

Expanded Enforcement Through Racketeering Law

The proposal would bring multiple offenses under Louisiana’s racketeering framework, including operating electronic sweepstakes devices, public gambling, cockfight wagering, computer-based betting, and bribery involving athletes.

This shift would allow prosecutors to pursue coordinated illegal gambling operations as organized criminal enterprises rather than handling individual violations separately.

Penalties for racketeering in Louisiana are significant. Convictions can lead to fines of up to $1 million and prison terms of up to 50 years. Mandatory sentencing applies when activity exceeds $10,000, including a required five-year prison term without parole and the possibility of extended hard labor.

Focus On Sweepstakes Gaming Activity

House Bill 53 also addresses online sweepstakes-style gaming, which has drawn increased scrutiny from regulators. The measure treats such operations as unlawful activity, aligning with enforcement efforts already underway in the state.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board previously issued cease-and-desist orders to operators offering sweepstakes casino services to residents. These actions followed the collapse of a prior attempt to formally prohibit such platforms through legislation.

That earlier effort, Senate Bill 181, passed both legislative chambers but was vetoed by Gov. Jeff Landry. He argued that existing enforcement measures made the bill unnecessary and described its wording as “overly broad.”

HB 53 builds on those enforcement efforts by introducing explicit penalties tied to sweepstakes operations under racketeering provisions.

Additional Proposal Targets Online Payment Models

Lawmakers are also reviewing a separate measure aimed at online gambling platforms that use dual-currency systems. House Bill 883 would classify such models as illegal under state law, extending liability beyond operators to include platform providers and payment processors.

If approved, the bill would authorize the state’s Attorney General to issue cease-and-desist orders and pursue legal remedies such as injunctions or temporary restraining orders against violators. The proposal has already been introduced and referred to the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

Broader Legislative Movement Across States

Louisiana’s efforts form part of a wider trend in 2026, as several states examine stricter approaches to illegal gambling. Lawmakers in Oklahoma, Florida, and other jurisdictions are considering similar measures to strengthen enforcement.

In Maine, legislators have taken action on sweepstakes casinos through a different route. A bill known as LD 2007 has passed both chambers, seeking to ban online platforms that use virtual currencies to simulate casino-style gaming. The proposal now awaits the governor’s decision.

Source:

"Louisiana House approves bill to criminalize sweepstakes gaming as racketeering", sbcamericas.com, March 31, 2026