Louisiana Gaming Control Board: Regulation and Licensing

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) is the primary state authority responsible for regulating commercial gaming operations across Louisiana, including riverboat casinos, the land-based casino in New Orleans, video poker establishments, and electronic gaming devices. The Board operates under the authority of the Louisiana Gaming Control Law, codified in Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 27, and administers a licensing framework that governs both operators and key personnel. Understanding the Board's structure, licensing categories, and regulatory scope is essential for any entity seeking to operate legally within the state's commercial gaming sector.

Definition and scope

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board is a nine-member body established by Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 27, §§11–26. Members are appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation, and serve staggered terms. The Board's jurisdiction extends to all forms of gaming authorized under state statute, including:

The Board does not regulate charitable gaming (bingo, raffles), which falls under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Office of Charitable Gaming within the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is administered separately by the Louisiana State Racing Commission. Native American gaming on tribal lands operates under compacts governed by federal law, specifically the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. §§2701–2721), placing it outside the LGCB's direct authority.

The geographic scope of LGCB authority is limited to the state of Louisiana. Operations licensed in other states or under federal jurisdiction are not covered by the Board's licensing or enforcement powers.

How it works

The LGCB functions through a dual-track administrative structure: policy and adjudication at the Board level, and investigation and enforcement through the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division. The Gaming Enforcement Division conducts all background investigations, field inspections, and compliance audits before licensing decisions reach the Board.

Licensing categories under the LGCB framework include:

  1. Owner/operator licenses — Required for entities holding direct ownership interest in a licensed gaming facility. These carry the most extensive background and financial suitability requirements.
  2. Key employee licenses — Required for individuals in positions of significant influence over gaming operations, including executives, pit managers, and surveillance directors.
  3. Supplier licenses — Required for entities supplying gaming devices, software, or related equipment to licensed operators.
  4. Gaming employee work permits — Required for floor-level gaming employees; processed through the Gaming Enforcement Division with periodic renewal.

License applications require submission of detailed personal and financial disclosure forms, fingerprinting for criminal history checks through the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information, and payment of application fees established by administrative rule. The LGCB sets fee schedules and minimum internal control standards (MICS) through the Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 42.

The Board holds public meetings to vote on license approvals, revocations, suspensions, and civil penalties. Decisions are subject to appeal through the Nineteenth Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Common scenarios

Riverboat operator renewal: A licensed riverboat operator must submit renewal documentation 90 days before license expiration. The Gaming Enforcement Division re-investigates any material changes in ownership or key personnel since the prior issuance. Unresolved compliance violations from the preceding license period are weighed in the renewal determination.

New sports wagering license: Following the 2021 legalization of sports wagering in Louisiana, platform operators must hold a separately issued sports wagering license. An existing riverboat operator holding a valid gaming license may apply for an affiliated sports wagering license, but the application undergoes independent suitability review — prior licensure does not automatically confer eligibility.

Key employee termination and replacement: When a licensed facility terminates an individual holding a key employee license, the facility must notify the LGCB within 5 business days under administrative reporting requirements. The replacement candidate must obtain Board approval before assuming the role.

Video poker route operator: A business seeking to operate video draw poker devices at a licensed truck stop or bar must obtain both a device owner license and, where applicable, a route operator license. Eligibility for video poker locations is subject to local option elections under La. R.S. 27:306, meaning parish-level voter approval determines whether devices may be placed within a given jurisdiction.

Decision boundaries

The LGCB applies a suitability standard — not a pass/fail criminal history screen — when evaluating license applicants. A prior conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant; the Board assesses the nature, recency, and circumstances of the offense in relation to the position sought. This is a formal distinction from simple background-check clearance processes used in other licensing contexts.

Contrast: owner license vs. work permit. An owner license requires full financial disclosure, source-of-funds documentation, and Board-level approval following a Gaming Enforcement Division investigation that may take 6 to 18 months for complex multi-entity applicants. A gaming employee work permit requires a completed application, fingerprints, and a fee payable to the Gaming Enforcement Division, with processing times measured in weeks rather than months.

Enforcement authority includes civil fines, license suspension, license revocation, and referral for criminal prosecution. The maximum civil penalty per violation is set by statute under La. R.S. 27:15 at $500,000 per count for the most serious violations. The Board may impose conditions on licenses in lieu of revocation, including mandatory compliance monitors or restricted operational hours.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board sits within the broader structure of Louisiana state agencies and its regulatory decisions intersect with fiscal policy administered through the Louisiana Department of Revenue. The full context of Louisiana's governmental structure, including executive branch oversight of regulatory bodies, is accessible through the Louisiana Government Authority.

References