A bill targeting harassment of athletes by sports bettors in Louisiana is on its way to Governor Jeff Landry’s desk after receiving unanimous approval from both legislative chambers. Sen. Mike Reese’s SB 325 passed the House with a resounding 101-0 vote, having previously cleared the Senate in March with a similar 38-0 decision. The bill, if signed by Landry, will be effective from August 1, 2026.
In This News
Changes to Louisiana Gaming Law
Reese’s legislation mandates the Louisiana Gaming Control Board to update the list of excluded persons, extending it to those involved in sports betting activities. And the bill targets individuals who make violent threats towards athletes, coaches, or referees related to sports betting—regardless of whether these threats occur before, during, or after an event. This is part of a broader effort to integrate sports and mobile betting into existing gaming regulations. Meanwhile, Governor Landry also signed into law another separate gambling bill, HB 53, which adds various gambling offenses to the state’s racketeering laws. These measures reflect Louisiana’s increasing focus on tightening regulatory control over gambling activities.
National Trend in Athlete Protection
The issue of bettor harassment isn’t confined to Louisiana. In 2024, the NCAA highlighted the prevalence of abusive messages received by collegiate athletes concerning sports bets. West Virginia reacted by empowering its Lottery Commission to blacklist bettors harassing sports figures, and Ohio has banned collegiate player-specific prop bets, aiming to shield athletes from betting-related threats. Still, these moves underscore a wider push by the NCAA for states to cut down on such abuses. Now, New York is joining the effort. And a bill there, AB 7903, seeks to prevent bettors with convictions related to harassing sports participants from continuing to bet. The proposed legislation has moved past committee and awaits a vote on the Assembly Floor.
Strengthening Enforcement Through Racketeering Laws
In addition to the new measures against harassment, Louisiana is expanding its racketeering framework. Governor Landry signed HB 53, which broadens racketeering definitions to cover a spectrum of gambling violations, including public gambling and illegal wagering by banned players. Previously vetoed attempts to ban sweepstakes devices have now transformed into stricter enforcement possibilities for the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB), which recently issued cease-and-desist notices to unregulated operators.
Next Steps
The Louisiana bill’s next stop is Governor Landry’s office for his signature, with an effective date set for August 1 if enacted. Meanwhile, the industry watches as other states like New York and Ohio continue to craft legislation addressing similar issues. All eyes will be on Landry’s decision, as it could set a precedent for other states grappling with how to protect athletes from the dark side of sports betting.
Marcus Chen brings a quantitative approach to poker strategy and sports betting analysis. With a background in data analytics and over eight years covering professional poker circuits, his articles combine statistical insights with practical advice for serious players looking to sharpen their edge at the table.
