Legislation introduced by Louisiana Republican Representative Mike Huval in March this year, calling for an investigation into the possibilities for legalised and regulated intrastate online gambling has progressed through the state House and is now awaiting the attention of the Louisiana Senate.
Louisiana House of Representatives Concurrent Resolution 3 was approved by a vote of 62 to 22 in the House before being referred to the Louisiana Senate’s Judiciary Committee.
The proposed measure would see the Louisiana House of Representative’s Criminal Justice Administration Committee partner with the Judiciary B Committee of the Louisiana Senate “…to study the feasibility and practicality of authorising Internet gaming” within state borders and make recommendations before the start of next year’s first legislative session.
The proposal also calls for the joint committee to consult widely with the office of the governor, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, the office of state police gaming division, the gaming division of the office of the attorney general, the gaming industry and “any other parties deemed appropriate by the committee.”
Speaking on a local television program, Huval observed: “It’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when it’s [internet gambling] going to happen. I’m not promoting gambling. I want to provide a way to make it safer for our residents.”