Louisiana Drops Prop Bet Ban Over Revenue Concerns

A proposal to eliminate certain types of sports wagers in Louisiana has been shelved after lawmakers determined it could reduce state income. The measure, which targeted proposition bets and in-game micro wagers, was withdrawn during a legislative hearing after new financial projections highlighted the scale of potential losses.

Lawmaker Drops Betting Ban Amid $20M Revenue Concerns

The bill introduced earlier this year by State Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews aimed to remove betting options tied to specific moments within a game rather than the final outcome. These include wagers on individual plays or short sequences during live events, which have become popular among bettors.

A fiscal review conducted by legislative analysts showed that banning these products could lead to a major drop in public revenue. Estimates suggested that the state’s main budget could lose more than $20 million. Additional funds tied to education, healthcare, and sports programs also faced cuts of $17 million combined, reported local media outlet NOLA.com.

Faced with these figures, the bill’s sponsor acknowledged the financial implications and decided not to move forward during the current session. She said that while the social concerns surrounding these betting formats remain valid, any future effort would need to better balance economic realities with consumer protection.

Data from regulators shows that prop and micro wagers represent a significant share of Louisiana’s betting market. Around 40% of online sports betting activity is tied to these formats, along with a smaller but notable portion of retail betting. In 2025 alone, residents placed $4 billion in mobile sports bets. This generated half a billion dollars in operator revenue and contributed about $90 million in taxes.

Lawmakers Clash on Risks and Benefits of Prop Betting

Supporters of the ban had argued that such betting options encourage repetitive gambling behavior. Users can place multiple wagers throughout a single game. Advocacy groups also raised concerns about potential risks to the integrity of sports competitions. They pointed to recent scandals that involved athletes and suspicious betting patterns.

On the other side, industry representatives emphasized the benefits of a regulated market. They noted that licensed operators monitor betting activity in real time, which allows unusual patterns to be flagged and reported to authorities. According to this view, removing legal options could push bettors toward unregulated platforms with fewer safeguards.

Some lawmakers also highlighted the broader challenge of addressing problem gambling without driving users to illegal markets. They suggested that cooperation between regulators and operators may offer a more effective path than outright bans.

Though the proposal will not advance this year, the debate is far from over. The bill’s sponsor signaled plans to revisit the issue in a future session, introducing revised measures that address both fiscal impact and social concerns tied to modern sports betting practices.