Bill To Let Voters Decide If Fantasy Sports Betting Should Be Legal Close To Final Passage
Legislation to give voters an opportunity in November to decide if fantasy sports gambling should be legal in their parish is one step away from final passage. A Senate committee approved River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot's proposal.
"If you're in the parish that votes it in, you can log on with your phone and make a draft or decide which players to play, if you're in a parish where they voted it out, you're not going to be able to log on to the site," said Talbot.
If the legislation is approved, the gaming control board would regulate fantasy sports gambling. Talbot says another bill would be introduced next year to determine how it will be taxed.
"Do we want to do a set fee or a percentage of earnings for these companies?" said Talbot. "Some states do one of each, some states do a combination of the two."
The vote in Judiciary B committee was four to one in favor. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson, who did not explain her objection, was the lone no vote. Houma Senator Norby Chabert says he's received a lot of calls in support.
"I think this something a lot of the public is clamoring for," said Chabert.