LA Gaming Chairman Expects Online Sports Betting Before Super Bowl LVI

• LA Gaming Chairman Estimates an Online Sports Gambling Launch by Mid-January
• Pace of Process Dependent on Response to State Police’s Compliance Inquiries
• In Louisiana, Up to Forty-One Potential “Skins” for Online Sports Betting Exist

LA Gaming Chairman Estimates an Online Sports Gambling Launch by Mid-January

Great news came earlier in the week for Louisiana sports bettors anxious to place wagers online instead of in-person when Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns told the publication Saturday Down South that he expects mobile sports betting in place by mid-January.

By then, Chairman Johns expects there to be several sportsbooks in place, saying:

My goal as of today is going to be mid-January for a number of the licensees that have applied. Some applied later than others, but we’ve taken them in order they’ve sent their applications in.

This could mean that Bayou State bettors will have a chance to place wagers on parts of the NFL’s postseason which starts with the Wildcard round on January 15 and ends with Super Bowl LVI that is scheduled to happen on February 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.

However, there are still a few items left on the list of things to do before that mobile launch can happen.

Pace of Process Dependent on Response to State Police’s Compliance Inquiries

In Louisiana, all sports betting license applicants must first endure a review done by the state police, a step meant to ensure that each has their gambling ducks in a row and that all parties involved are capable of efficiently processing all wagers that come in.

Before licenses can be approved, the following needs to take place:

• The various properties need to be inspected by the Louisiana State Police
• Internal controls must be verified
• Compliance inquiries must be made

Regarding the slow process, Chairman Johns seems to understand that every delay costs the sportsbooks money, telling Saturday Down South:

Some properties are a lot more anxious to get started than others. But I’ll tell you, I was astounded by the October and November numbers we saw for New Jersey. $1.3 billion bet in New Jersey alone in one month. We realize where the action is and we’re pushing hard to get it done as quickly as we can.

The number of operators in the Louisiana market are growing.

In Louisiana, Up to Forty-One Potential “Skins” for Online Sports Betting Exist

At this point in Louisiana, there are 13 licensed operators offering in-person sports betting at their venues, plus six more facilities have also applied for a license, and though these facilities are temporary, more permanent accommodations are being built as required by the legislation.

The original bill includes 20 brick-and-mortar sports betting licenses and two mobile licenses, which allows for a potential of 41 “skins” for Louisiana online sports betting, plus there is one additional license allotted to the Louisiana Lottery Corporation.

With some online sportsbooks like Caesars Entertainment, LA bettors can already download the app, register, and fund their accounts, but wagers cannot be placed just yet, and in the meantime in-person bets can be made for anyone anxious to gamble on sports right now.

Keep checking back for the latest news and updates on this ongoing story in Louisiana.