Following over 14 months of wait and sportsbetting aficionados in the southern American state of Louisiana over the age of 21 will reportedly be able to start placing wagers via a mobile device from tomorrow morning.

According to a Wednesday report from local television broadcaster WAFB-TV, voters in ‘The Pelican State’ approved retail and mobile sportsbetting via a statewide referendum in November of 2020 while the jurisdiction’s eleven-strong club of land-based sportsbooks went on to process some $67.1 million in aggregated handle for the final two months of last year. However, the launch of remote sports wagering in the state of approximately 4.6 million people was purportedly the subject of multiple delays caused in part by legislative lethargy and the impacts of Hurricane Ida.

Growing group:

Nevertheless, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board has now reportedly announced that 13 state-licensed sports wagering sites and apps including those from giants DraftKings Incorporated and FanDuel Group are to be allowed to start accepting bets from eight o’clock in the morning on Friday. This watchdog’s Chairman, Ronnie Johns, purportedly told the broadcaster that a further seven services are subsequently set to be licensed once they have met a range of ‘statutory and regulatory requirements’.

Mississippi matters:

Former Louisiana State Senator Danny Martiny reportedly told WAFB-TV that mobile sportsbetting was the subject of many years of local debate with opponents often contending that legalization would lead to a rise in problem gambling. But the 70-year-old Republican purportedly disclosed that tomorrow’s launch will go a long way towards helping Louisiana’s gaming market maintain parity with competition from the neighboring jurisdiction of Mississippi as the American Gaming Association recently estimated that the state could now earn up to $50 million a year from sports wagering.

Martiny reportedly stated…

“What I was fighting to do was to keep us on an even playing field with Biloxi. I firmly believe there’s only a certain amount of discretionary money available for gambling. You may take money away from bookies but I perceive it as being just another amenity.”

Towering troupe:

The broadcaster reported that mobile-friendly sportsbetting services from Wynn Resorts Limited, Caesars Entertainment Incorporated, Betfred and MGM Resorts International are moreover due to go live in Louisiana from tomorrow morning following many months of advertising their wares around the 64-parish state. All of these sportsbooks are to purportedly be regulated by the Louisiana Lottery Corporation in partnership with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the Louisiana State Police.

Optimistic outlook:

Eric Ramsey is an analyst with the online news source at PlayUSA.com and he reportedly proclaimed that ‘Louisiana has so many traits that will help its sportsbooks thrive’ with many experts having predicted that the state could eventually go on to generate up to $2.5 billion in annual mobile sportsbetting handle alongside $200 million in associated operator revenues.

Ramsey reportedly declared…

“Regulators have created an appealing framework that will continue to attract operators and foster competition, which is great for customers. The state is home to several rabid fan bases and its ability to attract visitors as a regional gambling destination will help the market grow beyond its own population.”