Delays Could Have Louisiana Launch Sports Betting In 2022

• Louisiana sports betting is now looking at a launch in 2022 for possible postseason football wagers.
• The Bayou State will have retail and mobile sports betting platforms once the industry goes live.
• The current delay is being caused by the lack of a set of permanent rules and regulations set by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB).

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana expected to launch its sportsbooks by the end of 2021 but a number of unexpected delays have pushed the date into 2022. The state wanted to open their sports betting platforms for the NFL season and while that may still be a possibility, the odds of it happening are a longshot.

What’s The Delay In LA?

Given their history with the years it took to license even one DFS operation, Louisiana sports betting is moving much more quickly in comparison. Rules and regulations for sportsbooks have yet to be permanently approved by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB). It’s been said that once that’s been done, an emergency clause for temporary licenses can take place so that the state can go live as early as possible.

Ronnie Johns has been named the new chairman for the LGCB, which is comprised of nine members. He has said that the board is working day and night to get the regulated sports betting market in Louisiana up and running by the end of the NFL season for postseason wagers to be available to residents of the 55 of the 64 parishes that will have sportsbooks. Johns was a huge advocate for the industry during his time as a part of the Louisiana Senate. He has since given up his seat to take on this new role.

“Sports betting was just approved by the state legislature in the session that ended in June. One of my first responsibilities as Chairman will be to promulgate all the regulations for this new gaming program in the state. I am grateful for the trust they placed in me and I want them to know this new position will allow me to continue serving them, just in a different way,” said Johns. “The gaming industry plays a vital economic role in Southwest Louisiana and across the state. Gaming is the largest single private industry source of revenue for the state budget. This new position will give me the opportunity to work with the State Gaming Control Board, elected officials, and industry representatives to ensure the integrity of gaming in Louisiana. I am humbled and appreciative for being entrusted with this responsibility.”

When Will Sports Betting Launch In Louisiana?

With Johns, lawmakers are now almost certain that sports betting on the NFL season will no longer be a possibility. He has said that the most reasonable timeline is postseason and bowl games for college and professional football in 2022. Mobile sports betting platforms will go live along with land-based locations.

Projections show that mobile sportsbooks will be the heavy-hitter for sports bettors in Louisiana as they are slated to be utilized much more than retail venues. The LGCB is trying its best to push the sports gaming industry of the Bayou State to launch as soon as possible.