Athlete Harassment Betting Bill Now on Gov. Landry’s Desk for Signature

(AsiaGameHub) –   Louisiana is on the verge of equipping gaming regulators with a new tool to combat sports betting-related harassment targeting athletes, coaches, and other game participants.

Good to Know

• SB 325 is currently pending action by Governor Jeff Landry.
• The legislation received unanimous approval in both of Louisiana’s legislative chambers.
• Bettors placed on the exclusion list may have their access to retail sportsbooks and mobile betting revoked.

Threats Against Athletes Could Soon Result in Betting Penalties

Louisiana bettors who make threats against athletes regarding their wagers might soon encounter consequences beyond just having their accounts shut down.

Senate Bill 325 would allow the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) to bar individuals from retail sportsbooks and mobile sports betting platforms if they issue threats of violence or harm linked to sports gambling. The legislation applies to threats made prior to, during, or following a sporting event.

The bill has already passed the Legislature and moved to its final phase after House Speaker Representative Phillip DeVillier signed it on Monday. Governor Jeff Landry has the option to sign or veto the bill; if he takes no action, it will automatically become law.

SB 325 also grants the LGCB authority to take action against individuals who “pose a threat to the state’s interests.” Anyone added to the exclusion list is entitled to receive notification and can ask for a hearing.

Penalties aren’t limited to the bettor alone. An individual who enters a gambling establishment without LGCB approval after being excluded could face a jail term of up to six months or a fine of up to $500. Sportsbooks and gambling operators may also face the risk of having their licenses or permits suspended or revoked if regulators discover a “pattern of intentional failure to exclude” banned individuals.

The bill’s timing aligns with a broader national concern in the U.S. about gambling-related abuse directed at athletes. Data from the NCAA and Signify revealed approximately 54,096 suspicious social media posts during last year’s March Madness. Among these, 3,161 were abusive, 103 prompted investigations, and 10 were referred to law enforcement.

Gaming operators have already begun taking action. In 2025, FanDuel banned an account holder who had heckled Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas. Earlier in 2026, BetMGM also implemented a policy to suspend accounts that send abusive messages or language to athletes.

For Louisiana, SB 325 would formalize this same concept into a state gaming regulation. Rather than leaving each case to the discretion of operators, the LGCB would gain direct authority to keep abusive bettors away from sportsbooks and betting applications.