Louisiana lawmakers have pre-filed House Bill 53 (HB 53), a measure that would treat certain sweepstakes-style gambling offenses as “racketeering activity” under state law. The bill’s core change is not a new standalone ban on sweepstakes casinos, but an amendment that would add existing gambling crimes—such as “gambling by computer” and “gambling by electronic sweepstakes device”—as predicate offenses that can support a racketeering case.
By shifting sweepstakes-related enforcement into the racketeering framework, prosecutors could potentially pursue enterprise-style cases rather than isolated gambling counts, depending on the facts alleged. The underlying concept is that if conduct already violates enumerated gambling statutes, it could also be used to establish a broader “pattern” case under racketeering rules.
HB 53 arrives after an earlier legislative effort to explicitly ban sweepstakes casinos was vetoed by Governor Jeff Landry in June 2025. In his veto message, Landry argued that Louisiana authorities already had sufficient regulatory and enforcement power to address the activity under existing law and the state’s gaming oversight structure.
That backdrop matters because HB 53 is structured as a reinforcement of existing criminal tools rather than a new category of prohibited gaming. In practical terms, the bill signals a legislative preference for leveraging broader criminal statutes—racketeering definitions and related investigative approaches—while relying on current gambling laws as the conduct triggers.
After the 2025 veto, Louisiana’s enforcement posture intensified. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board, alongside the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division, sent more than 40 cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes and social casino operators, warning them to stop serving Louisiana customers or face further action.
In July 2025, Attorney General Liz Murrill issued a formal legal opinion concluding that online sweepstakes casinos using dual-currency or promotional-prize models violate Louisiana law, characterizing the activity as illegal gambling (including illegal gambling by computer) under multiple provisions. Gambling Insider reported that, following these steps, more than 40 major sweepstakes brands either exited Louisiana or shifted to non-cash, entertainment-only formats.
The Louisiana 2026 legislative session is scheduled to convene on March 9, placing HB 53 on an early track for committee and floor consideration if leadership advances it. If enacted, the bill could broaden the set of legal theories available for cases tied to sweepstakes-style offerings, including the possibility of pursuing connected entities depending on alleged participation and applicable racketeering standards.
At the same time, the measure’s impact would still depend on enforcement priorities and how prosecutors interpret “predicate” gambling offenses in specific fact patterns. For operators, vendors, and intermediaries, the key development to monitor is whether Louisiana continues moving from direct prohibitions toward frameworks that emphasize enhanced penalties and broader investigative tools.
