Louisiana Won't Be Legalizing Sports Betting This Year

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana won't be legalizing sports betting this legislative session.

The House Appropriations Committee voted 14-6 Tuesday to shelve Republican Sen. Danny Martiny's proposal to allow sports wagering in the state.

By the time the committee rejected the bill, Martiny said it was so overloaded with objectionable amendments that it couldn't win enough legislative support even if it escaped the committee.

The Senate supported legalizing sports betting on professional, college and international sports events at Louisiana's 16 casinos and four racetracks.

Martiny, of Kenner, said Louisiana residents already are betting on sports through online offshore sites and neighboring casinos in Mississippi. He says Louisiana should regulate and tax the activity.

But the House and its budget committee are more conservative, with many lawmakers who oppose gambling.