Airs Sunday, April 7, 2019, at 6 p.m. Last May, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a law prohibiting sports betting in all states but Nevada. Efforts in the legislature to allow sports gaming in Louisiana failed in 2018. This session will see a renewed push to legalize sports betting with some lawmakers supporting the dedication of any proceeds to early childhood education. What are the pros and cons of legalizing sports gaming? How would it be implemented in Louisiana? How much money could the state government hope to see? And what are the challenges of dedicating another revenue stream? Louisiana Public Square looks for answers to these questions and more on “What are the Odds? Sports Betting in Louisiana.”
Our panelists will be:
• Elizabeth Crisp, Capitol reporter for The Advocate
• Will Hall, Office of Public Policy, Louisiana Baptist Convention
• Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Metairie
• Major Chuck McNeal, La. State Police Gaming Enforcement Division
The program features interviews with Rep. Joseph Marino, R-Gretna, sponsor of the fiscal side of the sports betting bill in the House; Gene Mills, president of the Louisiana Family Forum which opposes legalization based on the societal costs of sports betting; Ronnie Jones, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board; and Paul West a Casino Gambling Law attorney with Butler Snow. LPB CEO, Beth Courtney, and LPB news anchor, Andre’ Moreau, host the program.