As Louisiana’s 2026 legislative session kicks off, state lawmakers are advancing a series of bills aimed at tightening gambling regulations, particularly focusing on online and retail sports betting and sweepstakes casinos. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to address illegal gambling activities in the state, with several new proposals already under consideration.

Sports Betting Restrictions Under Consideration

One of the most significant proposals is Senate Bill 354 (SB 354), introduced by Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews. This bill aims to redefine what constitutes a permitted sports wager, specifically targeting micro-bets and prop bets. If passed, SB 354 would ban all live micro-bets and proposition bets—side wagers not directly related to the final outcome of a sporting event—by August 1, 2026.

Micro-bets are wagers placed during the course of a game, such as predicting specific plays or actions, while prop bets involve placing bets on specific statistics or outcomes that do not affect the final result. According to the proposed legislation, these types of bets would no longer be legal, and licensed sportsbooks would be prohibited from accepting such wagers.

SB 354 is part of a broader trend in U.S. states aiming to curb the proliferation of prop and micro-betting markets, particularly in college sports. States like Maryland, Ohio, and Vermont have already banned college prop bets, with other states like New York and New Jersey considering similar measures.

In addition to sports betting restrictions, Louisiana lawmakers are addressing concerns surrounding online sweepstakes casinos. These platforms, which use dual-currency systems allowing players to exchange in-game currency for the chance to win prizes, have been criticized for operating in a legal gray area.

In response to these concerns, Representative Laurie Schlegel has reintroduced House Bill 883, which aims to explicitly ban online sweepstakes casinos by defining them as illegal gambling. The bill also targets platform providers and payment processors involved in these operations. If passed, it would empower the state Attorney General’s office to issue cease-and-desist orders and seek injunctions against violators.

According to Esports Insider, this push follows a previous veto by Governor Jeff Landry of an earlier bill to ban sweepstakes casinos. Despite the veto, Attorney General Liz Murrill issued a legal opinion declaring sweepstakes casinos illegal, leading to over 40 cease-and-desist orders being issued by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB).

New Legislation Addressing Athlete Harassment and iLottery Expansion

Alongside these gambling-related restrictions, lawmakers are also focusing on issues like the harassment of athletes by bettors and the potential legalization of iLottery. Senate Bill 325, introduced by Senator Mike Reese, aims to expand the state’s list of excluded gamblers to include individuals who threaten or harass athletes before, during, or after a sporting event. This bill is designed to protect athletes from abuse, a growing concern as betting on college sports has gained momentum.

Additionally, two companion bills, HB 643 and SB 119, are pushing for the legalization of online lottery sales in Louisiana. These bills aim to create a regulated environment for iLottery while ensuring robust age-verification and geolocation systems to prevent underage gambling. The Louisiana Lottery Corporation, which has faced declining revenue in recent years, has suggested that expanding into online sales could help revitalize its operations without harming brick-and-mortar retailers.

These proposed legislative changes reflect growing concern among Louisiana lawmakers about the negative effects of unregulated gambling and the need for comprehensive reforms. The introduction of these bills comes at a time when several states across the country are grappling with similar issues, and lawmakers are increasingly focusing on ensuring that gambling laws are in line with modern technologies and gaming trends.

With a busy legislative session ahead, Louisiana lawmakers are expected to continue refining and debating these proposals. The session will last until June 1, 2026, with a critical deadline of May 29 for bills to cross chambers. As the state moves forward with these proposed changes, it is clear that the landscape of gambling in Louisiana will undergo significant shifts aimed at protecting both consumers and the integrity of the industry.