Louisiana Sports Betting: New Law Bans Bettors Who Harass Athletes
Posted on: May 26, 2026, 09:08h.
Last updated on: May 26, 2026, 09:08h.
- Sports bettors in Louisiana who harass players will soon face bans
- Legislation expected to be signed by Gov. Landry will create an exclusion list for sports bettors who threaten players
- The statute will also apply to coaches, referees, and anyone else involved in the game
Louisiana sports betting rules are poised for change after state lawmakers in Baton Rouge passed a regulatory amendment.
Last week, Senate Bill 325 unanimously cleared the Louisiana House of Representatives. The bill, introduced by state Sen. Mike Reese (R-Beauregard), passed the Senate, also unanimously, in March.
SB325 amends the conditions of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board relating to the exclusion of certain persons. The statute proposes banning individuals from sports betting who threaten violence or harm against any person involved in a sporting event.
The board shall adopt rules to provide for the establishment of a list of persons who are to be excluded from or ejected from a retail sports book and from participating in the play or operation of mobile wagering,” SB325 recommends.
The bill says anyone who “before, during, or after a sporting event” threatens a player, coach, referee, or anyone else directly involved in the game, where the threat is related to sports betting, should have their sports gaming privileges revoked.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) is expected to sign Reese’s sports betting reform bill.
McNeese President
The NCAA has reported a severe increase in student-athlete harassment, both online and in-person, since sports betting has gone mainstream. NCAA President Charlie Baker has lobbied state legislatures and gaming regulatory boards to ban player props, which primarily deal with a single player’s performance.
While Louisiana dismissed legislation this year to ban player props on professional sports (college player props are already prohibited), the state acted on Reese’s harassment statute. The bill will apply not only to props but to bets of any kind.
WNBA superstar Angel Reese said she faced death threats and online harassment after winning the 2023 National Championship with LSU. Her case led to the NCAA advocating for state-level sports betting regulations to better protect student-athletes from such abuses. Reese alleged that much of the hate came from fans of her rival, Caitlin Clark, though the NCAA was unable to substantiate those claims.
SB325’s support comes as Reese was named the ninth president of McNeese State University. Alongside his public service that began in 2020, Reese is the managing partner and CEO of Reese Companies, a diversified group with holdings in transportation, logistics, aviation, and commercial real estate.
McNeese is in Lake Charles, where Golden Nugget, L’Auberge, and Horseshoe operate.
In the state’s 2025 fiscal year ending June 2025, Louisiana bettors wagered more than $3 billion on sports online. The online sportsbooks kept $363.8 million of the bets on a 12% win rate. Oddsmakers generated sports revenue of $29.8 million from in-person wagering.
Petition for Removal
Should Landry sign SB325, sports bettors who find themselves banned from retail and online sportsbooks would have avenues to restore their betting privileges. Similar to how casino gamblers can petition the LGCB for removal from an exclusion list, Reese’s legislation carves out a redemption pathway.
The statute details that any person who is placed on an exclusion list is entitled to a hearing for review within 30 days of the placement.
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