Louisiana move to study internet gambling

Louisiana state Rep. Mike Huval has filed a resolution asking that a House legislative committee look into the pros and cons of regulated and licensed intrastate online gambling when the body next convenes in April.

Local radio station 3KATC reports that gambling is popular in the state, with $14,3 billion reaching state budgets from gaming tax revenues over the past 23 years.

Huval, who claims that his interest lies principally in protecting Louisiana gamblers, says that he wants the state to be first among neighbouring states that could legalise Internet gambling.

“It’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when it’s going to happen,” he told the station Friday.

Huval’s filing asks that a joint committee be appointed to study the “feasibility” and “practicality” of legalising internet gambling in the state of Louisiana.

He hopes that by making the pastime legal, the state government will assume regulatory authority, with the operators probably confined to existing licensed land gambling casino companies.

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