Louisiana’s Gaming Control Board reported casino revenue of $223.3 million in December, a 9.8% year-on-year increase. The two newly opened casinos, Bally’s Baton Rouge and Live! Casino Louisiana, contributed a combined $15.1 million; sports betting revenue was $63 million from a $398 million handle.
The figures show how new casino openings and sports betting contributed to Louisiana’s reported December market revenue.
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Louisiana casinos recorded July revenue of $212.5m, a 7% annual increase, citing the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Sports betting generated $36m in revenue on $280m in handle. Lake Charles recorded the highest district revenue at $76.8m, up 5.9%.
It was reported that Louisiana gaming revenue increased 7.6% annually to $216.4m in June. Bally’s Baton Rouge generated $6.2m after moving onto land, compared with $0.9m a year earlier; excluding the property, statewide revenue grew 1.1%.
Nevada Gaming Control Board chair Mike Dreitzer urged casino industry leaders in Las Vegas to oppose sports event prediction markets, saying they bypass state oversight. Louisiana Gaming Control Board chair Christopher Hebert said he agreed, citing the need to protect the public and compliant operators.
Louisiana’s Senate Bill 325 is awaiting action by Governor Jeff Landry after the state House speaker signed it, according to the report. The bill would let the Louisiana Gaming Control Board exclude people who threaten athletes with harm over gambling, subject to notice and a hearing. Operators could face licence or permit suspension or revocation for a pattern of deliberately failing to enforce the exclusion list.
Louisiana lawmakers approved Senate Bill 325 and sent it to Governor Jeff Landry, according to the report. The measure would require the Gaming Control Board to establish rules for excluding people who threaten those involved in sporting events in connection with sports betting. It would also allow sanctions against licensees that fail to enforce exclusions.