Liz Murrill
BATON ROUGE – Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office is alerting state residents and visitors to the growing presence of illegal gambling websites and mobile applications offering unauthorized online casino-style games within the state.
These platforms are commonly disguised as legitimate operations, but they are illegal and not regulated by any Louisiana authority and pose a serious threat to consumers.
“I want to make it unequivocally clear that online casino, bingo, keno, iGaming, and alleged sweepstakes or social gaming sites offering such games are operating illegally in Louisiana,” Murrill said. “I will enforce our laws and hold those offering illegal gambling websites accountable through all legal means.”
Online casino games such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker for real money remain illegal. Despite this, many unlicensed operators, often based overseas or outside of Louisiana’s jurisdiction, continue to target residents with illegal gambling offerings.
Murrill’s office says some of these platforms, including so-called “sweepstakes” or “social casino” sites, may offer real-money payouts, use dual-currency or coin-based systems, or offer material prizes such as gift cards, all under the false appearance of legality and trying to compare themselves with legitimate sweepstakes, such as those of McDonald’s or Starbucks.
Louisiana laws and the veto of Senate Bill 181 do not legalize these purported “sweepstakes” or “social gaming” websites without a vote of the people or without licensing and suitability investigations, the AG’s office says. In fact, it says the veto by Gov. Jeff Landry stated, in part, these websites are “… already prohibited in Louisiana” and “… the [Gaming Control] Board is already taking active steps to combat illegal gambling in Louisiana, especially against … illegal online sweepstakes companies …”
Cease-and-desist letters have been sent to at least 42 such operators by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Earlier this month, the board announced a series of enforcement actions to combat the rise of illegal offshore wagering and unauthorized online sweepstakes operations targeting Louisiana residents.
The action was taken in coordination with the Louisiana Attorney General's Office and the Louisiana State Police, Gaming Enforcement Division, to ensure “a firm stance against illegal gambling operations that violate state law and jeopardize the integrity of the regulated market.”
“These actions send a clear message,” said Christopher B. Hebert, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. “Louisiana will not tolerate illegal operators who put our citizens at risk and undermine the fairness and integrity of our gaming industry.
“We will continue to use every enforcement tool available to protect the public and uphold the law.”
