Louisiana Sweepstakes Casino RICO Bill Clears Senate

Casino

By lines

May 3, 2026

Louisiana’s sweepstakes casino ban reached a turning point in late April 2026. House Bill 53 cleared the Louisiana Senate by a vote of 29 to 7. The Louisiana House received HB 53 back without amendments the following day. Governor Jeff Landry now holds the final decision on RICO penalties for sweepstakes casino operators.

What HB 53 Means for Sweepstakes Casino Players in Louisiana

HB 53 adds sweepstakes casino operations to Louisiana’s RICO statute. RICO crimes carry penalties of up to $1,000,000 in fines and up to 50 years in prison in Louisiana. Those penalties apply to operators, game suppliers, and any entity facilitating sweepstakes casino access in Louisiana.

Louisiana lawmakers passed HB 53 through the House earlier in 2026 by a vote of 86 to 11. The Senate Judiciary Committee C passed HB 53 on April 14, 2026. The full Senate vote of 29 to 7 reflects broad bipartisan support for the RICO enforcement approach.

Louisiana already restricts sweepstakes casinos under existing gambling statutes. HB 53 adds criminal racketeering charges on top of those existing restrictions. The Louisiana Attorney General gains expanded enforcement tools if Governor Landry signs HB 53.

Louisiana players currently access platforms including McLuck, Pulsz, TaoFortune, and NoLimitCoins. None of those operators has announced a Louisiana exit. Players in Louisiana should redeem outstanding Sweeps Coins balances before Governor Landry acts on HB 53.