Louisiana State Rep. Mike Echols highlighted that the state is losing around $4.6 billion in annual revenues to unregulated online casino platforms, In a recent interview with WAFB,
Lawmakers are discussing with industry experts the merits and downfalls of legalizing online casinos in the state.
The discussion highlighted operators like El Royale Casino and Stake, which recently received a license to operate in Peru. These sites are based outside the United States but accept customers from Louisiana despite the state not allowing any legal online casino operations.
“They’re predatorily coming after our constituents and allowing them to gamble online. I don’t think our issue is with our constituents doing something it is with these vendors,” Echols told WAFB.
Howard Glaser, Global Head of Government Affairs and Legislative Counsel at Light & Wonder, highlighted how easy it is for local gamblers to play at these sites.
“You can pay for some of this with a Mastercard or a Visa. You did not approve this, but it is happening and is happening throughout the state,” he told WAFB.
However, some lawmakers expressed resistance to legalizing online casinos, highlighting problem gambling. Chris Hebert, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, told WAFB that it’s “one thing to travel to a casino and game but it’s another thing to be able to do it from your couch. Those present real problems. As regulators that is not lost on us.”
