HB 540 Louisiana House · 2025 Regular Session

GAMBLING/VIDEO POKER: Provides relative to video poker (EN INCREASE SD RV See Note)

HB 540 clarifies the definition of "gross device revenue" for video poker machines under existing law. It specifies that this term means the total cash inserted into three video draw poker devices over a consecutive three-month period, explicitly stating this definition does not affect how "net device revenue" is calculated. The bill directly affects casinos and regulators who use these revenue metrics for compliance or taxation under Louisiana's gambling statutes (referencing R.S. 27:402). This is a definitional amendment to ensure consistent application of current regulations, not a new policy change. The bill is currently pending in the Committee on Appropriations after recent committee amendments.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Apr 4, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB540 Original → HB540 Act · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Louisiana's video poker laws to increase the number of machines allowed in certain establishments, such as truck stops and hotels, and clarifies revenue requirements for expanding licenses. It also adds a new fund to manage video poker revenue and updates the list of sponsors to reflect recent legislative changes.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of video poker operations by increasing the maximum number of machines permitted in specific venues like truck stops and multi-lounge hotels, while maintaining restrictions on other locations.

ELIGIBILITY

Increased the maximum number of video poker devices allowed at truck stops from fifty to sixty and at certain hotel/motel facilities from twelve to thirteen.

Adjusted the revenue requirement for obtaining a fourth video poker device at a restaurant or bar, changing the threshold from $50,000 per quarter to $100,000 over three consecutive months.

Raised the total device limit for single buildings containing multiple restaurants or bars from nine to twelve machines.

FISCAL

Established a new 'Video Draw Poker Device Purse Supplement Subfund' to handle deposits and usage of monies generated by these devices.

TECHNICAL

Updated the list of bill sponsors to include additional representatives and corrected formatting inconsistencies from the original draft.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 8, 2025 · House May 12, 2025

How they voted

25–8

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 37

Jun 8, 2025

D Democratic11

8 Yea 1 Nay 2

72% Yea

R Republican26

17 Yea 7 Nay 2

65% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read by title, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.

lower

Jun 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Rules suspended. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 8 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Jun 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments. Rules suspended. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

upper

May 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 91, nays 5. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (17-0).

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Committee

Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (8-0).

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

lower

1 primary · 15 co-sponsors