Louisiana Sports Betting Possible by Bowl Season- Ronnie Jones

Ronnie Jones, the former chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, believes that sports betting will not be available in the state until college bowl games begin.

Jones recently told KEEL Radio that there is still a lot of administrative work to be done before anyone in the state may place a sports wager. Jones was the chairman of the regulatory body from 2013 to the summer of 2020.

Bills were approved by the Legislature this summer, allowing sports betting across fifty-five of the sixty-four parishes. 

Formerly a Republican state senator, Jones hails from Lake Charles, which is a well-known gaming hub. 

Jones is optimistic about seeing sports betting begin soon enough with the ending of the football season. A veteran of the Louisiana State Police, 33-year-old Jones has been signed for the post of an adviser for Entain, the British gaming firm.

Unlikelier Start by Fall

Hopes and anticipation were pinned high for seeing sports betting around the beginning of the football season. The feeling was alike amongst lawmakers at the recently concluded legislative session ending in June at the Capitol located in Baton Rouge. The large fan bases for New Orleans Saints of NFL and Louisiana State University Tigers of NCAA’s have led to the extreme popularity of football in general in Louisiana. 

The process of granting licenses to the sports betting companies and for newer rules to be set up might take months. 

Sports Betting: A True Monopoly

Jones, on the Shreveport radio interview, said how mobile sports betting would see Louisiana charge ahead in comparison to Mississippi. The reason is zero availability of mobile sports betting across the other states that border Louisiana and Mississippi. 

Legislators in Texas rejected measures this year that would have legalized sports betting. However, Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, believes that regulated sports betting will be approved in Texas at some time.