A Louisiana legislator has filed a bill that would make online sweepstakes casinos susceptible to racketeering charges in the Pelican State.
HB 53, pre-filed by Rep. Bryan Fontenot last Friday, looks to add “gambling by electronic sweepstakes device” as a predicate offense that could be prosecuted under Louisiana’s racketeering laws — considered among the strictest in the country. People found guilty of felony racketeering charges are subject to fines of up to $1 million, prison sentences of up to 50 years of hard labor, or both.
Attorney General Liz Murrill declared sweepstakes sites illegal via written opinion last July. Her response was to a query from a state senator asking if online businesses were permitted to operate casino-style gaming activities.
