Louisiana Gaming Control Board chief discusses sports betting regulation and oversight

Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Christopher Hebert is closely monitoring potential betting irregularities related to the search for a new LSU head football coach.

In a recent interview with Gambling.com’s “The Edge,” Hebert said that while state-regulated sportsbooks cannot accept wagers on LSU’s next coach, inside information could still reach bettors on unregulated platforms. “We are always looking for those types of irregularities and not only looking for them, but we’re going to fight them,” he said.

The coaching search follows the departure of former coach Brian Kelly and Athletic Director Scott Woodward after a disappointing season marked by losses to SEC rivals Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M. Interim coach Frank Wilson and acting athletic director Verge Ausberry have been appointed.

Hebert, a former assistant attorney general and director of the office’s gaming division, was appointed Gaming Control Board chairman by Gov. Jeff Landry in June 2024, succeeding Ronnie Johns, who retired.

Hebert was recently named “Regulator of the Year” by the American Gambling Awards, an annual recognition by Gambling.com honoring leaders in the U.S. regulated gaming industry.

Louisiana remains one of the nation’s most gaming-active states, with a mix of land-based and riverboat casinos, four horse tracks with slots, thousands of video gaming devices in commercial locations, and both retail and mobile sports betting.

In the interview, Hebert also addressed several key issues facing the state’s gaming industry. On the impact of iGaming on brick-and-mortar casinos, he said that while some argue iGaming could cannibalize the traditional casino market, experience from other jurisdictions shows that it can actually help grow the brick-and-mortar sector.

Hebert also emphasized the importance of educating athletes about sports betting, noting that proper education allows athletes to make informed decisions if someone ever approaches them with nefarious intentions.

Regarding the regulation of certain types of bets, he acknowledged the delicate balance involved, stressing that the state does not want to push Louisiana citizens toward the illegal market. Louisiana, he noted, banned prop bets on college athletes in 2024.