HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to study and make recommendations regarding modernization of the state's problem gambling prevention and education efforts.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Beth Mizell

LDH should study and recommend modernized, youth-focused problem gambling prevention and education, using schools, colleges, digital tools, and early intervention, with a report by

Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate and sent to the Secretary of State by the Secretary of the Senate on 6/2/2026.

Overview

Senate Resolution (SR) 178 of the 2026 Regular Session in Louisiana asks the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to study and make recommendations on modernizing the state's problem gambling prevention and education efforts, with a focus on youth, college-age individuals, and young adults. The resolution does not itself enact new laws or allocate funds; it directs a state agency to conduct a review and report back with findings and recommendations.

Main purpose and intent

Encourage modernization of Louisiana’s approach to preventing problem gambling and educating the public about gambling-related harms.

Emphasize outreach to younger populations—youth, college students, and young adults.

Explore innovative, evidence-informed strategies and provide actionable recommendations to improve prevention, awareness, early intervention, and support.

Key provisions and changes sought

Direction to examine opportunities for:

School-based education and curriculum integration addressing gambling-related harms, financial literacy, decision-making, online gaming, and responsible behavior.
Engagement with higher education institutions (colleges and universities).
Digital tools and mobile resources to support prevention, self-assessment, awareness, early intervention, and connections to behavioral health and recovery services.
Early intervention strategies to reduce escalation of gambling problems.

Consideration of modern public health approaches, including digital education tools and accessible resources.

Emphasis on collaboration with stakeholders to develop findings and recommendations.

Who/what would be affected

State agencies and entities involved in education and health:

Louisiana Department of Health (primary agency to study and report).
Louisiana Department of Education.
Louisiana Board of Regents (and higher education institutions).
Colleges and universities within the state.
Behavioral health providers and community organizations.

Youth, college-age students, and young adults as the target beneficiaries of improved prevention and education efforts.

General public who may access new digital tools, self-assessment resources, and referral pathways.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The LDH is urged to prepare a written report detailing findings and recommendations.

Report submission timeline: no later than February 1, 2027.

Reporting format: to the Louisiana Senate and the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library, as required by RS 24:771 and 772.

The measure was introduced in the Senate, with a co-sponsor noted (Beth Mizell).

Additional context

The resolution acknowledges rising exposure to gambling content due to legalized sports wagering and other gambling forms.

It recognizes potential impacts of problem gambling on mental health, financial stability, academics, families, and workforce participation.

It emphasizes prevention and early education as a means to improve awareness and healthier decision-making.

Bottom-line takeaway

SR 178 requests the LDH to study and recommend modernization of problem gambling prevention and education, prioritizing youth and young adults, and to consider school-based and higher education engagement, digital resources, and early intervention. A formal written report is due by February 1, 2027. No new laws or funding are enacted by this resolution itself; it initiates a state-level review to inform future policy or program developments.