Louisiana lawmaker proposes racketeering designation for gambling offences
Louisiana representative Bryan Fontenot filed House Bill 53 on 30 January, proposing to add specified gambling offences, including gambling by electronic sweepstake device, to the state’s racketeering provisions. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice; the source says a racketeering conviction can carry up to a $1 million fine and 50 years in prison.
If enacted, the proposal could expose sweepstakes operators to racketeering charges and substantial penalties.