Louisiana lawmakers are evaluating the economic potential of iGaming, focusing on how taxation could benefit the state. A recent report by WAFB highlights the growing interest in regulating online gambling platforms, such as Stake, which collaborates with celebrities to reach broader audiences.
Lawmakers Push for Regulation
State Representative Mike Echols has voiced concerns about unregulated iGaming operations. He emphasized the need to protect constituents while also capturing tax revenue from the growing online gambling market.
“They’re predatorially coming after our constituents and allowing them to gamble online,” Echols told local media. He added, “If we consider iGaming, it has to be linked to those land-based facilities because they’ve actually made a physical deposit in Louisiana.”
Currently, platforms like Stake operate outside Louisiana’s regulatory framework, raising questions about oversight and consumer protection.
Industry experts have also weighed in on the issue. Howard Glaser from Light and Wonder Gaming warned of risks in the unregulated online gaming sector.
“The current industry puts consumers at risk,” Glaser explained, noting that transactions on these platforms often occur without adequate safeguards. “You can pay for some of this with a MasterCard or a Visa. You did not approve this, but it is happening and is happening throughout the state.”
While the legal sports betting industry has seen remarkable growth since the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, online gaming has lagged. Today, sports wagering is legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia. However, iGaming, which includes online casino games and poker, remains legal in only seven states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
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