A few pieces of legislation that the federal government has enacted over the entire nation affect gambling in general. These acts passed by the United States Congress have sweeping control over all fifty states with few exceptions in that they outlaw the business of gambling or facilitating bets for profit on U.S. soil. While organized crime and corruption are the targets, average citizens are not. The simple act of placing a bet is still legal and anyone may feel free to do so in a legal gambling site for Louisiana residents.
This federal framework has provided a template in which states can formulate their own gambling regulations and Louisiana is one such state that has done so. We have developed this page to assist all those who live in the Bayou State looking to gamble safely and legally in their local area without worry or concern on both the federal and state levels.
While the federal laws are over-reaching across the country, there is much room for Louisiana to have formed its own gambling regulations. The Bayou State has largely followed the same format of the federal policies by vehemently going after the business of gambling and those who facilitate bets for profit while leaving alone recreational participants. We will cover some of the more important points from the State’s Constitution below.
14:90A - This described act is a crime in the State of Louisiana and those found guilty are punishable of a fine up to $500 and/or could see jail time up to six months. It is important to notice that “conducting” and “business” is in the language reaffirming the fact that recreational gamblers are not criminals.
14:90.2 - Read and you will see, “Gambling in Public” is the definition of “Gambling” performed in a public place. This is a major no-no in the Bayou State but again, the law appears to target those trying to conduct or operate gambling. Not a mere participant. The penalty for this is $500 and up to six months in jail. Exceptions are made for establishments licensed by the State of Louisiana and Tribal Casinos. This law was intended as a means to slow down violent crime. By forcing gamblers in private places, the amount of cash flying around in public should be greatly limited.
14:90.3B - For all those in Louisiana considering a gambling excursion over the internet, the state constitution does in fact mention the web. As is the case with the rest of the Bayou State’s gambling laws, this clause targets operators of gambling sites within Louisiana borders with a penalty of $500 and six months of jail time. Those wishing to wager on a legal site are free to do so.
14:90.5 - While we typically would discuss the legal gambling age for a particular state in a separate section of our site, the Bayou State is particularly tough on underage gambling and readers should be well aware. The penalty for underage gambling is the same as operating a gambling business. A $500 fine and up to six months in jail is a steep punishment for any young person in Louisiana, as we do not recommend ever trying to attempt such an act.
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Wire Act – There are a few laws on the books that impact gambling with none as important as the Federal Wire Act passed in 1961. Meant to root out organized crime, this law bans transmissions of sports betting information between state borders and strictly prohibits the business of facilitating bets for profit. In 2011, lawmakers concluded that the Act included the internet as a transmission device. The Wire Act does not hinder the average citizen from placing a bet however. Under the rule of this act, the only targets are those operating illicit gambling schemes.
PASPA – In 1992, the Federal Wire Act gained a boost in strength with the passing of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). As lawmakers determined sports betting to be a detriment to society, this law completely erased facilities operating in every state outside of Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana. Pari-mutuel betting such as horseracing is exempt from the PASPA as the law only focuses on the business of betting on human competitors in a contest of skill.
UIGEA – Another law that furthers the effects of the Federal Wire Act and PASPA is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) tacked onto the SAFE Port Act in 2011. While this act was not its own legislation being tucked into a separate and unrelated law, it has sweeping control over financial transactions over the internet hindering any betting site from accepting or issuing winnings within the United States. As is the case with the other federal laws, the UIGEA does not target the average citizen but only the businesses of the gambling industry. This means that, in accordance with federal law, legal Louisiana gambling sites remain fair game for players to target.
As mentioned in the laws above, legal gambling for Louisiana residents is open to all old enough and age in the State of Louisiana is a serious matter. While bettors are able to visit pari-mutuel facilities such as a racetrack by the age of 18, all other forms of gambling is the Bayou State is restricted to 21 years of age or older with strict enforcement. With the popularity of New Orleans as a center for entertainment, Louisiana authorities are diligent in cracking down on underage drinking as well as gambling. Do not attempt to visit a gaming establishment if under the age of 21. For locals in the Bayou State who wish to gamble online however, our recommended online gambling sites are available to all those aged 18 or older.
While Louisiana may have a few laws within their state constitution to regulate gambling, they do not forbid it. So long as bettors follow the federal and state policies of never engaging in the business of gambling, facilitating bets for profit, or conducting an illicit gambling scheme, they will be free to wager as much as they wish. The legalese may seem intimidating but at the end of the day, Louisiana is in fact one of the more forgiving states in the union for gamblers to have their fun. If you are of legal age and obey the rules, you may let the good times roll in Louisiana without worry or concern
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