The House Appropriations Committee moved Tuesday afternoon to hold off on advancing
legislation that would have legalized sports betting in Louisiana. SB135 by Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Metairie, would have asked residents in each parish to vote on allowing casinos and racetracks to offer gaming options that let customers wager on professional and college sports.
The hearing marked the latest step in a long and arduous process for Martiny since initially bringing the legislation. The bill passed the full Senate on 24-15 vote April 30 and won approval from the Criminal Justice committee last week. Foreseeing potential expenses in administering sports betting, the measure was sent to the Appropriations committee for approval this week. “I think we have a tendency in this building to make things more confusing than they actually are,” Martiny remarked during the hearing.
At the center of the committee’s debate was an amendment offered by Rep. Dustin Miller, D-Opelousas, which would have included video poker establishments on the list of places that could offer sports betting games to patrons. Both Martiny and Rep. Joe Marino, I-Gretna, who is shepherding the bill in the lower chamber, were opposed to the amendment. “You’re talking about adding 28,000 locations,” Marino said.
Despite the author’s objections, the panel approved Miller’s addition. Martiny argued neighboring states do not offer sports betting through video poker operations and the added administrative costs would essentially doom the bill. “I don’t like the form that the bill is in,” he told the panel, visibly frustrated.
The Louisiana Casino Association withdrew its support of the bill in light of Miller’s amendment, arguing that the language made the guidelines too arduous. “You have put enough baggage on the plane to keep it from getting airborne,” the association’s executive director, Wayne Duty, told the committee.
Despite failing on the vote, Martiny said that he is not yet conceding defeat and is contemplating other legislative maneuvers to advance the bill. “Well, I would be lying if I told you no, of course, I am,” he said when asked if he was exploring other options. “It is something that is very important.”
Jeremy Alford will publish Capitol Views each afternoon on Daily Report PM through the end of the legislative session. The report is also available to subscribers at LaPolitics.com.
