Louisiana legislators have officially cleared a landmark measure that would elevate the operation of illegal gambling and sweepstakes casinos to a racketeering crime, potentially carrying prison sentences of up to 50 years.
House Bill 53, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Fontenot, successfully navigated both chambers of the legislature without amendments, passing the House with an 86–11 vote and the Senate with a 27–9 margin.
Folding Gambling into Racketeering Statutes
The legislation represents a significant shift in Louisiana’s legal framework by integrating several existing offenses into the state’s rigorous racketeering statute. Under the new law, activities such as:
- Gambling in public
- Betting through computers or sweepstakes devices
- Unlawful wagering by prohibited players
- Bribery of sports participants
All of these actions would be classified as racketeering crimes. Convictions under this measure carry penalties that are far more severe than standard gambling violations. Offenders face fines up to $1 million and prison terms reaching 50 years at hard labor. Furthermore, for racketeering activity exceeding $10,000, at least five years of the sentence must be served without the possibility of probation or parole.
A Renewed Push After Previous Vetoes
The bill now sits with Governor Jeff Landry, who previously vetoed a similar clampdown on sweepstakes in 2025. In his prior veto statement, Landry argued that current enforcement through state police and the Gaming Control Board was sufficient, calling the previous bill “a solution in search of a problem”.
However, pressure for tougher penalties has only intensified. Chief Deputy Attorney General Larry Frieman testified in favor of HB 53, stating that Louisiana requires a stronger deterrent against illegal actors.
Simultaneously, Louisiana legislators are advancing House Bill 883, a specific measure targeting dual-currency sweepstakes that mimic gambling, broadening the definition of illegal operations to include platform providers and media support.
