House Bill No. 540, introduced by Representative Fontenot, seeks to amend existing laws regarding the operation of video draw poker machines in Louisiana. The bill increases the permissible number of video draw poker devices at various establishments, raising the limit from three to four devices at alcoholic beverage facilities, from fifty to sixty at qualified truck stop facilities, and from three to four for individual lounges in hotels and motels, as well as from twelve to thirteen for the entire hotel or motel. Additionally, the bill establishes criteria for licensees to qualify for the additional devices, including maintaining a net device revenue of at least fifty thousand dollars over a calendar quarter.

Furthermore, the bill introduces restrictions on the licensing of offtrack wagering facilities, prohibiting them from operating video draw poker devices within one mile of certain properties, such as those on the National Register of Historic Places, public playgrounds, residential properties, and buildings primarily used for religious or educational purposes. It also allows for the designation of residential districts for regulatory purposes and outlines the allocation of franchise fee revenues generated from these devices. The proposed law will take effect upon the governor's signature or after the lapse of time for gubernatorial action.

Statutes affected:
HB540 Original: 27:412(B)(1), 27:413(A), 27:414, 27:416(A), 27:435(D)(4)