Key Points
- House Bill 53 in Louisiana would reclassify illegal gambling activities, including sweepstakes casino operations, as racketeering offenses punishable by up to 50 years imprisonment and fines reaching $1 million
- Both legislative chambers approved the measure—the House voted 86–11 and the Senate 27–9—sending it to Governor Jeff Landry for final action
- In 2025, Governor Landry rejected a comparable anti-sweepstakes measure, dismissing it as “a solution in search of a problem”
- House Bill 883, a companion measure, specifically addresses online sweepstakes gaming and cleared the House with unanimous support at 99–0
- Under HB 883, individuals who knowingly support illegal sweepstakes operations face penalties of up to $40,000 in fines and five years imprisonment for each offense
Louisiana legislators have taken decisive action against illegal gambling, advancing a comprehensive racketeering bill through both legislative chambers that now awaits the governor’s final approval.
Rep. Bryan Fontenot’s House Bill 53 would integrate multiple gambling-related violations into the state’s current racketeering framework. Under this proposal, operating sweepstakes casinos, facilitating public gambling, managing computer-based wagering operations, and bribing athletes would all qualify as racketeering violations subject to prosecution.
The proposed punishment structure is severe. Convicted individuals could receive sentences of up to 50 years at hard labor, along with monetary penalties reaching $1 million.
For racketeering operations involving amounts exceeding $10,000, the legislation mandates that defendants serve a minimum of five years without eligibility for probation, parole, or sentence suspension.
The House approved the measure on March 30 by an 86–11 margin. Nearly a month later, on April 27, the Senate concurred with a 27–9 vote.
With no modifications introduced during either chamber’s review, the bill proceeded rapidly through the enrollment process. The House Speaker affixed his signature on April 29, followed by the Senate President on May 4.
Governor Jeff Landry must now determine whether to enact the legislation or reject it through veto.
Governor Previously Blocked Similar Legislation
Whether Landry will approve the bill remains uncertain. During 2025, the governor rejected comparable anti-sweepstakes legislation when it arrived at his office.
Landry maintained at that time that Louisiana possessed adequate enforcement mechanisms through existing agencies, including the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, state police, and the Attorney General’s Office.
His June veto message characterized the legislation as “a solution in search of a problem” and cautioned that its provisions were “overly broad,” potentially hampering active enforcement operations.
Following the governor’s veto, the Gaming Control Board announced it had distributed cease-and-desist notices to sweepstakes operators and offshore gambling entities.
Notwithstanding these enforcement initiatives, legislators reintroduced expanded measures during the present legislative session.
Chief Deputy Attorney General Larry Frieman appeared before committee hearings to advocate for HB 53, contending that Louisiana requires enhanced legal instruments to combat illegal gambling operations.
Companion Legislation Also Targets Sweepstakes Industry
HB 53 represents just one component of the legislative assault on sweepstakes gaming this session. Rep. Laurie Schlegel’s House Bill 883 is simultaneously advancing through the legislative process.
The House approved that measure on April 14 without a single dissenting vote, recording a 99–0 tally. Subsequently, the Senate Judiciary B Committee issued a favorable recommendation on April 28.
Where HB 53 employs an expansive racketeering strategy, HB 883 concentrates specifically on dual-currency sweepstakes platforms that replicate conventional gambling experiences.
Schlegel’s bill broadens the illegal gambling definition beyond operators to encompass anyone furnishing platforms, content, geolocation technology, promotional services, or media assistance for these gaming operations.
Individuals who knowingly enable illegal sweepstakes activities could incur fines of up to $40,000 and imprisonment for up to five years. The legislation treats each individual wager as a distinct violation.
Additionally, the bill authorizes Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office to pursue injunctive relief against violators.
HB 883 currently awaits action from the Senate Legislative Bureau, the same entity that processed HB 53 in late April. Together, these measures maintain significant pressure on sweepstakes operators as Louisiana’s legislative session progresses.
