| Advisory opinion regarding whether the post-employment restrictions in the Code of Governmental Ethics and found in La. R.S. 27:13 would prohibit Ronnie Jones, a former Chairperson of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board from serving on an advisory board of Entain, a foreign gaming corporation. |
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Mr. Jones stated that he was appointed Chairman of the Gaming Control Board by Governor Jindal in August 2013 and at the conclusion of your 6-year term was reappointed to the position by Governor Edwards effective July 1, 2019. The Senate did not approve his reappointment on June 2, 2020. Therefore, his public service was terminated July 1, 2020.
Mr. Jones provided that Entain (https://entaingroup.com/) is based in England. That Entain has never been licensed in the state of Louisiana, does not currently hold a gaming license or permit in the state, and Entain does not have a pending application for a license or permit in the state. Further, he never had any contact whatsoever with Entain during the entirety of his term as Chairman. Additionally, Entain has established a 50/50 partnership with MGM Resorts to offer a sports betting platform in the U.S. MGM Resorts is licensed in a number of states but has never been, nor are they now, licensed in the state of Louisiana. Mr. Jones never exercised any regulatory authority over MGM Resorts.
The State of Louisiana created the Louisiana Gaming Control Board in La. R.S. 27:11 et. seq. La. R.S. 27:13(7)(a) provides that no board member or board employee shall represent the interests of any individual or entity, other than the board's interests, before the board for a period of five years following the date of termination of the person's term or employment with the board. Further, LA. R.S. 27:19 provides that the attorney general or his designee shall be the legal advisor and legal representative to the board, chairman, and office of state police relative to all gaming matters under the board's jurisdiction, and in all legal proceedings. LA R.S. 27:63C(1) provides the members of the commission, the supervisor, and all employees of the commission and the division shall be subject to the Code of Governmental Ethics. In addition, the Commission shall adopt a code of ethics for officers and employees.
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La. R.S. 42:1121(A)(1) prohibits a former agency head, for a period of two years from the termination of his public service as the head of such agency, from assisting another person for compensation, in a transaction, or appearance in a connection with a transaction, involving that agency or rendering any service on a contractual basis to that agency.
La. R.S. 42:1121(A)(2) prohibits former members of boards or commissions, for a period of two years following the termination of their public service on such board or commission, from contracting with, being employed in any capacity by, or being appointed to any position by that board or commission.
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Adopt draft advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Suzanne Mooney |
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