Louisiana is preparing one of the toughest anti-illegal gambling crackdowns in the United States after lawmakers approved House Bill 53 (HB53), legislation that would classify several gambling offenses as racketeering crimes under the state’s Louisiana Racketeering Act. The bill, introduced by Representative Bryan Fontenot, was approved by the House 86–11 on March 30, 2026, passed the Senate 29–7 on April 27, signed by Senate leadership on May 4 and formally sent to Governor Jeff Landry on May 5.
The legislation dramatically escalates penalties for illegal gambling activity by moving certain offenses from traditional gambling violations into organized crime territory. If signed into law, offenses including “gambling by computer,” electronic sweepstakes devices, unlawful wagering, public gambling and sports bribery could trigger penalties of up to 50 years in prison and fines reaching $1 million.
Bryan Fontenot
The central target is the growing sweepstakes casino sector. Louisiana lawmakers argue that many dual-currency platforms effectively operate as unlicensed online casinos while avoiding gaming taxes, licensing requirements and responsible gambling obligations. HB53 works alongside proposed House Bill 883, which seeks to formally define dual currency sweepstakes models as illegal gambling under Louisiana law.
The state’s regulated gaming market is overseen by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, chaired in 2026 by Ronnie Johns, together with the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division. Attorney General Liz Murrill has also publicly supported stronger enforcement against offshore and sweepstakes operators.
Ronnie Johns
Louisiana already operates one of the largest regulated gaming markets in the southern United States, including riverboat casinos, racinos, retail sportsbooks and Caesars New Orleans. Sports betting is legal and regulated, but online casinos remain prohibited.
The shift signals a broader change in U.S. gambling enforcement strategy, because Louisiana is moving beyond administrative penalties toward criminal prosecution, using racketeering law, AML pressure and organized crime statutes to target operators outside the regulated market while strengthening protections for licensed gaming companies.
