Louisiana Representative Proposes Ban on Sporting Adverts
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:A New Orleans legislator has proposed a bill seeking the prohibition of sports betting advertisements on television across Louisiana. State Representative Shaun Mena has introduced House Bill 727, which aims to ban the advertising of sports betting and daily fantasy sports on television.
Louisiana is one of 30 states in the US where online betting is legal. The state introduced retail sports betting in October 2021 and became part of the US online gambling market in January 2022. Sports betting is live in 55 of the Pelican State's 64 parishes, including in most of New Orleans. Like every other jurisdiction that legalizes sports betting, the state faces the spread of betting advertisements by sportsbooks and their affiliates.
However, Mena is not pushing for a ban on online sports in general. Instead, he wants a total blanket of sports betting and daily fantasy ads on TV.
I am not proposing that we ban online sports betting, not at all — I just want to ban the advertisement of it. I'm fighting for the young men and women who are addicted to these products. Young men under the age of 35 are the largest demographic of online gambling addicts.
Skepticism about Bill’s Progress
Louisiana has one of the most lucrative gaming markets in the US. Last year, the sector generated $200 million in revenue and provided employment for thousands across its diverse channels. It doesn't come as a surprise then to see Mena's colleagues doubtful about the bill's chances of success. Although the bill has been assigned to a House committee, it remains uncertain whether it will be considered for discussion.
I would say if I had to bet on it — no pun intended — that the bill would not get very far. I don't think it's good for business.
Rep. Paul Tonko's Similar Bill
Mena's bill mirrors Rep. Paul Tonko's Betting On Our Future Act proposal in the US House of Representatives in February 2023 that aimed to prohibit gaming ads on television, radio, and websites. Like Mena's bill, Tonko's measure solely targeted sports betting rather than other gaming ventures.
Although Tonko has been championing his proposal amid a widespread increase in online betting advertisements throughout the U.S., no other member of Congress has openly endorsed or supported his initiative.
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