Louisiana House Moves Racketeering Bill Targeting Sweepstakes Casinos

The Louisiana House passed House Bill 53 by an 86-11 vote on March 30, sending the measure to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. The bill would classify certain gambling-related offenses, including “gambling by electronic sweepstakes device,” as predicate offenses under the Louisiana Racketeering Act.

That would mark a sharper enforcement move than a standard prohibition bill. Instead of simply saying sweepstakes casinos are not allowed, Louisiana would tie this activity to the state’s racketeering framework, which carries much heavier criminal exposure.

What HB 53 Would Do

HB 53 does not stop at sweepstakes devices alone. The bill also adds several other gambling-related offenses to potential racketeering charges, including gambling, gambling in public, gambling by computer, gambling or wagering at cockfights, unlawful wagering, and bribery of sports participants.

Under Louisiana’s current racketeering law, violations can bring a fine of up to $1 million, up to 50 years at hard labor, or both. The fiscal note also says current law can require at least five years without probation, parole, or suspension of sentence when the amount involved exceeds $10,000.

Prosecutors would still need to prove at least two instances of racketeering activity for a conviction.

Why This Bill Matters

Louisiana was already one of the tougher states for sweepstakes-casinos. Last year, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 181 to prohibit them, but Governor Jeff Landry vetoed that measure, saying state regulators already had the authority to enforce existing gaming laws.

After that veto, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board sent more than 40 cease-and-desist letters to unregulated operators, including sweepstakes casinos. State officials have signaled that they already view many sweeps-style platforms as falling within illegal online gambling.

That is what makes HB 53 notable. It is not just another warning shot. It would give Louisiana a much tougher legal lane by folding sweepstakes-related conduct into racketeering, which is a far heavier hammer than the usual regulatory tap on the shoulder.

Another Bill Is Also in Play

HB 53 is not the only Louisiana measure targeting this space. Representative Laurie Schlegel has also introduced House Bill 883, which would explicitly expand illegal online gambling to include dual-currency sweepstakes casinos and also reach suppliers such as payment processors.

Together, the two bills show Louisiana is not nibbling around the edges here. One bill would directly target the sweepstakes model, while the other would raise the stakes by attaching racketeering consequences to related conduct.

What Comes Next

HB 53 now heads to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. Louisiana’s legislative session adjourns on June 1, so the bill still has ground to cover before it can become law.

If it keeps moving, Louisiana could become one of the most aggressive states yet in its approach to sweepstakes casinos. Other states are also advancing bills this year, but Louisiana’s racketeering angle stands out because it pushes beyond a simple ban and into much tougher criminal territory.

REFERENCES

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