4/10/2022

Louisiana Riverboat Casino Law

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana’s riverboat casinos would be able to move to shore for the first time since the state authorized the industry more than 25 years ago, if lawmakers agree to a proposal that began advancing Tuesday in the Senate.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's riverboat casinos would be able to move onshore, under a proposal that won support Tuesday from senators who spurned a separate measure to move one of the 15 casinos from the northwestern end of the state to the southeast. The Senate voted 22-14 for the river-to-shore proposal by Sen. Ronnie Johns, two votes.

The bill by Sen. Ronnie Johns received the backing of a Senate judiciary committee without objection, after nearly getting derailed over concerns the casinos do too little contracting with minority-owned and women-owned businesses.

Also sent to the full Senate for debate was a measure that would set a referendum process for voters in Gov. John Bel Edwards’ home of Tangipahoa Parish to decide if they want to move a riverboat casino from Bossier City to a shallow river there.

The bills are among 30 gambling proposals that have been filed in the legislative session, to either expand gambling or lessen existing restrictions. Most of the measures face opposition from religious conservatives. Republican Senate President John Alario also has expressed worries about the proposals.

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Johns, a Lake Charles Republican, pushed back against suggestions his bill would grow gambling in the state, saying it instead was “modernizing an industry” that has seen few changes since it was legalized in 1991.

“Anyone who says this bill is going to expand gaming needs to go back and read it,” Johns told the Judiciary B Committee.

The measure would allow Louisiana’s 15 riverboat casinos to conduct gambling activities within 1,200 feet (365 meters) on land from where the riverboat is berthed and remove the requirement the riverboats have an operable paddlewheel. It also would redefine gambling space restrictions.

The ideas were recommended by a task force created by lawmakers to suggest ways to keep the casinos competitive and promote the industry as an economic development tool. Edwards supports the recommendations.

The bill nearly stalled because of criticism from Sens. Greg Tarver and Karen Carter Peterson that the casinos have insufficient diversity in their leadership and vendor contracts.

“If you’re sincere about doing it, you can find a minority very, very easily in this state,” said Tarver, a Shreveport Democrat.

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Peterson, a New Orleans Democrat, objected to industry officials’ claims that they struggle to find minority-owned vendors: “I think you have not done your homework or tried hard enough.”

She suggested the legislation be delayed “to have more conversations.” But Tarver said he trusted Johns, who pledged to hold a meeting with casino representatives and the senators before bringing the legislation to a full Senate vote.

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“We will have that conversation. I hear you clearly, absolutely do. It’s a legitimate issue,” Johns said.

Several pastors and the conservative Louisiana Family Forum objected to Johns’ bill, along with the proposal by Sen. Mack “Bodi” White, a Baton Rouge Republican, to set up a referendum vote that could move a riverboat casino from Bossier City to rural Tangipahoa Parish.

Sen. Norby Chabert, a Houma Republican, tried to stall the referendum bill, but got no support for his motion. The proposal then was advanced to the Senate without objection.

Louisiana Riverboat Casino Law

Tarver asked Parish President Robby Miller if the governor supported moving a casino to his home parish. Miller replied that at a meeting with Edwards, “he did indicate he would sign the legislation.”

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Senate Bills 316 and 417: www.legis.la.gov

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