Proponents cite addiction and integrity concerns, industry warns of unintended harms; committee defers SB 354
Loading...
Summary
Senate Bill 354, proposed to ban prop and micro bets, drew testimony from public‑health advocates who described rapid, slot‑like betting mechanics and harms to young people; gaming industry groups warned a blanket ban would push wagers offshore, reduce data and consumer protections, and carry a heavy fiscal cost. Sponsor agreed to reconsider the fiscal note and the committee deferred the bill with the author’s permission.
Senate Bill 354, sponsored by Senator Jackson Andrews, would ban proposition bets and micro bets across Louisiana’s legal sports‑wagering market. Sponsors and public‑health witnesses told the Senate Committee on Judiciary B on March 31 that the rapid‑cycle nature of same‑game parlays, prop markets and micro bets produces slot‑like, highly addictive behavior and has measurable harms for young adults and families.
Kathleen Benfield of the Louisiana Family Forum told the committee that online sports betting, available 24/7 since 2022, has led to an explosion of access and that apps are designed to keep users betting. She cited Gaming Control Board data showing, “as of 2024 ... over $728,000,000 of wealth transfer” in sports betting and described prop/micro bets as “rapid fire” and highly addictive. Peter Robins Brown of Louisiana Progress Action and other witnesses described social harms, threats to athletes and marketing practices that target young people.
Industry witnesses provided mixed responses. Mark Stewart of the Cordish Companies and Live Casino Hotel said the smartphone has transformed wagering and that some tools used by operators are designed to encourage sustained engagement; he said the industry supports action but urged measured reforms. Cameron Onuma, policy director for the Sports Betting Alliance, opposed the bill and said the legal market’s monitoring and reporting systems allow operators and regulators to flag suspicious activity, while a ban would push players to offshore platforms “where Louisiana has no jurisdiction, no data, and no ability to protect consumers.”
Sponsor Jackson Andrews acknowledged the bill carries a significant fiscal note — committee discussion referenced an estimated $15 million loss to the state general fund and a broader $28 million impact across related funds — and said he would revisit the measure. Senator Talbot moved to defer SB 354 with the author’s permission; there was no objection and the bill was deferred.
What happened next: The committee deferred SB 354 to allow the sponsor and stakeholders to reconcile policy goals and fiscal impacts. The committee record includes written support from Sarah Chervinsky and testimony from multiple health and advocacy organizations.
Quote examples from the hearing: “$728,000,000 of wealth transfer in our state,” said Kathleen Benfield; Mark Stewart said, “This is not entertainment. It is compulsive.”
Next steps: SB 354 was deferred; the sponsor said he would return with revised language or additional fiscal offsets in a future session.
