Last May, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a law prohibiting sports betting in all states but Nevada. Efforts in the legislature to allow sports gaming in Louisiana failed in 2018. This session will see a renewed push by lawmakers to allow sports betting with some supporting dedicating proceeds to early childhood education.

What are the pros and cons of legalizing sports gaming? How would it be implemented in Louisiana? How much revenue could state government hope to see? And what are the challenges of dedicating another revenue stream? Louisiana Public Square looks for answers to these questions and more on “What are the Odds? Sports Betting in Louisiana” airing Wednesday, March 27 at 7pm on LPB and in New Orleans on WLAE.

Our panelists will be:

Elizabeth Crisp, Capitol reporter for The Advocate
Will Hall, Office of Public Policy, Louisiana Baptist Convention
Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Metairie
Major Chuck McNeal, La. State Police Gaming Enforcement Division
The program features interviews with Rep. Joseph Marino, I-Gretna, sponsor of the sports betting bill in the House; Gene Mills, president of the Louisiana Family Forum which has concerns with the societal costs of sports betting; and Ronnie Jones, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

LPB CEO, Beth Courtney, and LPB news anchor, Andre’ Moreau, host the program.