Louisiana lawmakers unanimously approved Senate Bill 325, which aims to penalize sports bettors who harass athletes, coaches, and sports officials. These bettors would be put on an excluded list, effectively banned from sports betting. The measure now moves to Gov. Jeff Landry for final consideration. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mike Reese, has moved quickly since its introduction, passing the Louisiana House this week in a 101-0 vote after previously advancing through the Senate in March by a 38-0 margin. There is strong momentum behind this bill, making it likely to be signed by Gov. Lee.
Louisiana’s push to penalize abusive behavior from sports bettors comes amid growing national concern over the impact gambling-related harassment is having on athletes, coaches, and officials. This is especially true at the college level.
As legalized sports betting continues to expand across the U.S., there has been a push to address this issue. The NCAA has taken steps to address threats and online abuse tied to wagering losses, warning about the rise in harassment directed at student-athletes. This comes via social media and at live events, with many athletes reporting abusive comments and even threats from angry bettors.
NCAA officials have argued that college athletes, many of whom are unpaid amateurs balancing academics and athletics, are especially vulnerable to this type of behavior.
To address this issue, the NCAA has backed stricter enforcement measures and expanded educational efforts around sports betting integrity and athlete safety.
Louisiana’s Senate Bill 325 reflects that broader momentum. This measure sends a clear message that harassment tied to sports betting will not be tolerated.
If signed into law, Louisiana’s Senate Bill 325 could become a model for other states looking to address the growing issue of sports betting-related harassment. There are still relatively few state laws specifically targeting abusive conduct from bettors toward athletes.
The bill’s unanimous support may also draw attention from lawmakers in other states. The measure passed both chambers without opposition, signaling strong agreement that the rapid growth of legalized sports betting has created new challenges that existing laws may not fully address.
Louisiana’s approach could encourage other legislatures to explore similar protections, particularly in states with major college athletics programs where student-athletes are highly visible and frequently targeted online.
Although Gov. Jeff Landry previously vetoed an anti-sweepstakes casino bill, Senate Bill 325 appears far more likely to receive his approval.
Unlike the sweepstakes measure, which involved broader regulatory and business concerns surrounding alternative gaming platforms, SB 325 is centered on athlete safety and public conduct.
The legislation carries overwhelming bipartisan support, which makes it difficult to envision a scenario where Gov. Landry vetoes the bill. The political momentum and public safety focus behind SB 325 suggest the bill has a strong path toward becoming law.
