47 Of 64 Louisiana Parishes Will Soon Be Able To Spend Money On Fantasy Sports
Louisiana has been one of a very few number of states that all paid fantasy sports operators have stayed away from since their existence. Operators have understood that, under current Louisiana laws, there could be no reading that in any way supports an attempt to receive money in exchange for offering fantasy sports contests.
However, that will soon be changing based on a voter ballot that was made part of the 2018 Midterm Elections. While a change in the actual law and the creation of regulations may be at least several months away, most parishes will be opening their doors to the likes of FanDuel and DraftKings.
“Fantasy Sports in Louisiana has won or has large leads in the 10 largest parishes. Looks like a great night for fantasy sports fans in the Bayou State!,” stated Fantassy Sports Trade Association Chairman Peter Schoenke on election night.
Over 90% of Louisiana’s population will ultimately be permitted to play all types of fantasy sports contests. Part of the delay in providing fantasy sports products will be putting together mechanisms to prevent fantasy sports companies from conducting business in those parishes that did not vote in favor of the ballot measure.
A total of forty-seven of the sixty-four parishes in Louisiana voted in favor of changing gambling laws to specifically allow for paid fantasy sports. That includes New Orleans, which holds the most importance to fantasy sports operators. Those operators contributed $1 million to market the ballot measure to Louisiana citizens.
Louisiana has become the twentieth state to codify that fantasy sports are legal games of skill.
