Louisiana is discussing a bill that could make election betting illegal. The passage of this bill would lead to a ban on participation in any betting related to elections.
Content of the Bill
The bill, known as Senate Bill 90, is authored by Senator Rick Edwards. It aims to ban participation in any bets based on elections. The text of the bill states: "No person shall knowingly, willfully, or intentionally participate in any bet or wager that is based upon any contingency whatsoever that arises from an election."
Consequences of Violating the Law
The penalties for violating the law are the same as those for election law violations. First-time offenders face a $1,000 fine or up to one year in jail. Repeat offenders could face fines of up to $2,500 or prison time of up to five years.
The Situation with Election Betting in the US
Online sports betting has been legal in Louisiana since 2022. In recent election seasons, several platforms offered betting on elections, generating interest among residents. In February 2025 alone, the state collected over $7 million in taxes from online betting. As the popularity of election betting grows, other states, such as Illinois and New Jersey, have begun issuing cease-and-desist orders to betting platforms.
The potential ban on election betting in Louisiana may impact the growing gambling market and threaten tax revenues from online betting. Proposed fines serve as an additional warning for players.
