The governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, has named Christopher Hibbert as the state’s new gaming head. The previous head of regulation, Ronnie Johns, declared his retirement earlier this year, with his final day being June 30th.
Hibbert, the first African American to lead the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB), will take over from Johns, who was in charge when Louisiana legalized digital sports betting in January 2022. Hibbert previously served as the director of gaming for the Attorney General’s office. In this role, he worked closely with Johns, who was a prominent figure in the Louisiana gaming industry when he stepped down. A press release from Landry’s office states that Hibbert is the first African American to be appointed to this position.
“With gaming revenue continuing to be a major part of our state’s economy, proper oversight of the gaming industry is crucial,” Hibbert stated in a press release. “I am both honored and humbled by Governor Landry’s appointment as the first African American chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, and I pledge to continue the work of my predecessor to ensure that the gaming industry is free from criminal and corrupt activities.”
Hibbert has extensive experience in the gaming sector. During his time at the Attorney General’s office, Hibbert collaborated closely with the LGCB on gambling matters.
He was a vital figure in the development of legal gaming rules and a trailblazer in digital sports wagering.
“He is a valuable member of the gaming and regulatory community,” Mississippi regulator Jay McDaniel told iGB. “As neighboring gaming areas, we often work together on issues, and Chris has always been helpful and responsive whenever I have worked with him. He showed exceptional leadership during his time as Director of the Attorney General’s Office.”
Louisiana has had physical casinos since the early 1990s. In 2020, voters legalized retail and digital sports betting in 55 parishes through a vote.
“Chris served us well as legal counsel to the commission,” former Louisiana regulator Ronnie Jones told iGB. “I would be hard-pressed to find another person who knows Louisiana gaming regulations as well as Chris. On top of that, he brought absolute integrity to the process. He is well known and respected by other regulators and their staff across the country.”
iGB examines the latest monthly results from US states, analyzing Louisiana’s continued sports betting growth and New Hampshire’s continued spending decrease https://t.co/Ni5CWA8iYP pic.twitter.com/tWYq5S0YMe
Experience and background are a perfect fit
Louisiana has over 20 physical casinos and, under the sports betting law, can have up to 21 betting platforms.
Gaming entities involved in sports wagering are required to collaborate with established gambling establishments or racetracks.
“It is with great pride that I announce the selection of Christopher Herbert to lead the Louisiana Gaming Control Board,” Landry stated in a formal announcement. “His extensive experience and qualifications make him perfectly suited to manage such a significant sector.”
Upon the initial legalization of casino gaming, all casinos within Louisiana, with the exception of the Harrah’s Casino situated in the French Quarter of New Orleans, were mandated to operate on watercraft. State laws and regulations have undergone modifications, and the LGCB is actively involved in overseeing the relocation process.
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