Louisiana Revised Statute §51:1727

The state of Louisiana passed the Revised Statute §51:1727, which talks about the electronic display of sweepstakes winners. In part, this statute states that a,”…sweepstakes prize… cannot be linked or associated with the play or simulation of an electronic game…” (LA 2013) By electronic game the statute gives the definition of, “…a form of interactive multimedia used primarily for entertainment...that consists of movable images…that may be controlled, manipulated, or set into motion by some action or activity of the person playing the game.” (LA 2013) The reason they have passed this revised statute is because of the fact that numerous internet cafes have been founded in Louisiana, as well as around the USA. According to the American Gaming Association, these internet sweepstake cafes are estimated to be making around $10bn a year. (Internet Sweepstakes Cafes) This statute was created in an effort to combat the growth of illegal gambling within the states, specifically those done by internet sweepstake cafes. This has been an ongoing issue for several years now, not only within Louisiana, but across the United States.

According to the American Gaming Association, the “internet sweepstake cafés” typically operate on a general basis of: they sell a product, such as long-distance telephone minutes, that the gambler doesn’t actually want, after buying it they receive “entries” into an internet sweepstakes. With these entries the gambler participates in internet-based games and based on random allocations the customer may or may not receive cash prizes. (Internet Sweepstakes Cafes) Although these internet cafes these are merely sweepstakes that are going on; however, “According to every appellate court that has decided a case involving similar games, it is incontestably gambling.” (Internet Sweepstakes Cafes) These cafes are extremely easy to set up, because all they require are computer terminals and internet access. Because of this these cafes could be located anywhere.

As recently as January 8th, 2014, the Gretna Police Department shut down an internet café in Gretna, Louisiana. (Hunter, 2014) The café was “…masquerading as a business where patrons could use the Internet, send faxes, or make copies. In reality, the café’s 90 computer terminals were used for online gambling with games such as black jack, roulette, and slot machines.” (Hunter, 2014) According to Deputy Chief Anthony Christiana, this is the first internet café