Jefferson Parish Representative Kirk Talbot has filed a bill for the regular session, that would let voters decide in October if internet fantasy sports betting should be legal in Louisiana. The issue dates back to a 1991 attorney general opinion concluding that fantasy draft games done over the phone were illegal and by expansion, now includes websites such as Draft Kings and Fan Duel. Talbot argues this proposition would not expand mainstream gambling.
Talbot says that this bill would "regulate" internet fantasy sports and make it legal. This would involve creating a system where winners pay taxes on cash prizes.
Currently, there is a clause on the Draft Kings website that says quote, “Legal residents of the Excluded States are eligible to open and maintain accounts on the Website for use only in games that do not offer prizes”. Talbot says it’s time to allow Louisiana players to participate so they can win cash prizes.
Talbot says that "people should have the freedom" to win cash prizes if they so choose.
Opponents might say they don’t want another mode of gambling to come to Louisiana, but Talbot says legalizing online sports betting would provide the state with another source of revenue.
According to Talbot, "an estimated seven hundred thousand people" play fantasy football. This would add a heavy amount of revenue to the state.