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Louisiana Gaming: Threat From Texas, Plus More Parishes Could Legalize Sports Betting
If Texas ever approves commercial casinos and sports betting, Louisiana could see a big falloff in gaming revenue, says the Bayou State’s top regulator.
“It’s going to be a huge blow to Louisiana,” Ronnie Johns, Louisiana Gaming Control board chairman, said.
Johns, who is retiring at the end of June after three years as chairman, spoke with Gambling.com in a wide-ranging interview on “The Edge.”
Johns also said additional parishes in Louisiana could approve sports betting within a few years. In addition, he expressed doubt that a tax hike is coming on sports wagering in the state.
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Texas Might Not Expand Gaming Until 2030s: Johns
A 75-year-old former Republican state senator, Johns noted that Louisiana has already gone 35 years with legalized commercial gaming, while Texas still doesn’t have it. Louisiana has since seen the build up of first-rate casino resorts in the state, he noted.
In Texas, sports betting and Las Vegas-style commercial casinos are prohibited. Efforts at the Texas Legislature to expand gaming have been unsuccessful. To date, sports betting is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C.
Currently, Louisiana benefits from Texans like “Mattress Mack” traveling next door to the Bayou State to gamble. Houston, the fourth most-populated city in the U.S., is only about two hours from Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Johns said he sees gaming expansion happening one day in Texas, the nation’s second most-populated state. However, that might not occur until well into the 2030s because of opposition from anti-gaming lawmakers and others, he said.
When it does happen, it will have a negative impact on Louisiana.
“We’re predicting a 50% decrease in state revenue, should that happen,” Johns said. “It’s going to be big.”
No Tax Hike On Sportsbooks, Some Parishes Might OK Sports Wagering
During the interview on “The Edge,” Johns also addressed other gaming-related issues facing Louisiana, including:
A national conversation about an increase in sports betting taxes in some states.
Johns said he has not heard any rumor or discussion about a tax hike in Louisiana on sports wagering.
“Sports betting’s been highly successful in Louisiana,” he said. “It’s actually brought in more money than projected. With that being said, I just don’t see any movement at this time to increase taxes.”
Legalizing sports betting in the nine parishes where it is currently prohibited.
Johns said he anticipates a public vote will occur in some of those parishes to legalize sports betting. Those nine parishes previously rejected sports betting, while 55 parishes approved it.
“I’m not sure that all nine will get there,” he said. “I predict over the next, say, four to five years you could probably have half of those attempting to approve sports betting again.”
The implementation in Louisiana of online casino gaming, known as iGaming, allowing bettors to play casino games such as slots and craps on their smart phone or computer.
Johns said there is a conversation in the state about the issue, but the casino industry itself is divided — some want it, others don’t. That sort of division makes legislative approval difficult, he said.
“The other aspect is going to be those legislators who view it as an expansion of gaming,” he said. “You’re going to have some pushback from some of the traditional Christian-based organizations, such as the Family Forum here in Louisiana and others who are traditionally anti-gaming.”
More riverboat casinos moving their operations ashore.
Johns said he does not think all 15 riverboat license holders will ultimately build casinos on land. A handful already have moved ashore or are in the process of becoming land-based.
“I see a point where we’re going to have a number of them do it,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll ever get to the point where all 15 are going to do that. Just from the economic standpoint, is it feasible for them to do that?”
Compliance Updates
Oddin.gg Officially Registered with LOTBA as a Supplier in the City of Buenos Aires
Oddin.gg has been officially registered as a supplier by the Lottery of the City of Buenos Aires (LOTBA). This authorization clears the way for Oddin.gg to provide its end-to-end esports betting ecosystem—including its Odds Feed, Risk Management, BetBuilder, Widgets, and more—to licensed operators in the City of Buenos Aires. The milestone reinforces Oddin.gg’s strategic focus on supporting partners across Latin America.
LOTBA, the regulatory authority for online gaming within the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is well known for its rigorous compliance and technical standards. While the body manages licensing and enforcement, suppliers must undergo a formal registration process before providing services to local operators. Oddin.gg’s successful registration confirms that it has met all relevant technical, financial, and compliance requirements.
Juana Bischoff, Senior Business Development Manager LATAM at Oddin.gg, said: “Being officially registered with LOTBA marks an important step in Oddin.gg’s long-term commitment to the Latin American market. Esports is gaining real traction across the region, and we want operators in Buenos Aires—and beyond—to have the tools and insight to deliver a top-tier esports betting experience. We’re not just bringing leading technology—we’re bringing the local expertise and regulatory awareness needed to help our partners like Betsson and Jugadon grow.”
Latest News
PureWager Group and SCCG Management Form Strategic Partnership to Launch Vertically Integrated Gaming Platform
PureWager Group, an emerging leader in next-generation sports betting technology, has entered into a strategic partnership with SCCG Management, a premier global advisory firm in the gaming industry. Backed by 22 X Ventures, this collaboration forms a vertically integrated gaming collective from day one—merging PureWager’s innovative platform with SCCG’s global footprint, regulatory insights, and commercialization expertise.
Founded by gaming veterans Wayne Stevenson and Elliott Banks, PureWager is building a state-of-the-art platform that incorporates real-time fan engagement, AI-driven personalization, and advanced gamification. With the support of 22 X Ventures and this newly formed alliance with SCCG, PureWager is well-positioned to redefine the U.S. online sports betting landscape.
Stephen A. Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management, brings more than 30 years of experience in gaming, leading over $3 billion in capital projects, M&A, and tech innovation. He has been instrumental in shaping the tribal gaming ecosystem, pioneering iGaming strategies, and scaling sports betting infrastructure worldwide.
“Partnering with PureWager aligns perfectly with our mission to accelerate gaming innovation. Their approach to engagement, combined with our global operational capabilities, creates an immediate force multiplier as we bring this platform to market,” said Stephen A. Crystal, CEO of SCCG Management.
22 X Ventures, a private equity firm investing in disruptive and mission-aligned companies, made a strategic investment in PureWager earlier this year. Their involvement has helped catalyze development milestones and secure strategic partnerships critical to PureWager’s national rollout.
“This partnership immediately establishes PureWager as a serious contender. With SCCG’s advisory leadership and PureWager’s bold product vision, we’re creating something the industry hasn’t seen before—a vertically integrated solution built for scale and community impact,” said Minh Le, Managing Partner at 22 X Ventures.
This three-way collaboration between PureWager, SCCG, and 22 X Ventures enables a full-stack go-to-market launch strategy with operational readiness, regulatory support, and commercial distribution channels across regulated and sovereign jurisdictions in the US.
Aviatrix has penned a deal with leading operator Codere, which will see the award-winning crash game go live in Mexico.
Codere is one of the biggest names in Latin American gaming, and its players in Mexico will now be able to enjoy Aviatrix for the first time.
Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: “Codere is a true leader in Latin America, and we’re excited to bring Aviatrix to their players in Mexico. Huge credit goes to our dedicated LatAm team, who worked tirelessly to make this deal happen. Their local knowledge and hands-on support are a big part of why we continue to grow so quickly across the region.”
Sarit Adania, Head of Casino Product at Codere, said: “Our priority is always delivering top-quality entertainment to our players, and Aviatrix is a game that’s proven to engage audiences all over the world. We’re delighted to be bringing it to our customers in Mexico, and we’re confident it will quickly become a favourite.”
Aviatrix is a next-generation crash game that continues to evolve through regular feature updates and new engagement tools.
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