House Bill 22, which aimed to increase taxes on sports betting in Louisiana, was withdrawn on Monday during the state’s third special legislative session. The bill, authored by Rep. Roger Wilder III, would have raised the tax rate on sports wagering from 15% to 51%, affecting electronic sports betting on websites and mobile applications.
Louisiana has seen an increase in sports betting tax revenue from 2022 to 2023, with a 29.5% rise from $34.2 million to $44.3 million. Despite this increase, the proposed bill to further raise taxes on sports betting was withdrawn from consideration.
The decision to withdraw the bill comes amidst ongoing discussions about the regulation and taxation of sports betting in the state. Louisiana recently banned prop betting, a move that was explained by the gaming chairman as a way to protect the integrity of sports competitions.
While House Bill 22 has been pulled from consideration, the topic of sports betting taxation remains a significant issue in Louisiana and other states where sports wagering is legal. The debate over how to best regulate and tax this growing industry continues as lawmakers work to strike a balance between generating revenue for the state and ensuring fair and responsible gambling practices.
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