Louisiana Governor Appoints New Gaming Chairman

• Gov. Jeff Landry (R) appointed Christopher Hebert as the new chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board
• Hebert takes over for Ronnie Johns as chairman of the gaming control board
• Hebert is the first African American to chair the board

Louisiana will officially have a new gaming control board leader.

Gov. Jeff Landry (R) today announced the appointment of Christopher B. Hebert as the Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Hebert will take over for Chairman Ronnie Johns, who served as chairman for the last three years, after his final day on June 30.

“I am proud to announce the appointment of Christopher Hebert as the Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. He has the experience and background needed to properly regulate such a large industry,” Gov. Landry said in a release. “I look forward to the great work he will do for our state and our economy.”

New Gaming Leader in Louisiana

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates all gaming activities in the state. Hebert is the first African-American to serve as the chairman of the board.

Hebert is a native of New Roads, LA, and served as the assistant attorney general for the State of Louisiana for over 19 years, and as the Director of the Gaming Division for the previous eight years.

“Proper regulation of the gaming industry is crucial at a time in which gaming revenue continues to be a substantial part of our state’s economy. I am both humbled and honored that Governor Landry has tapped me as the first African-American Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and I vow to continue the hard work of previous chairmen in ensuring that gaming is free from criminal and corrupt elements. We will continue to regulate in a fair manner which ensures that our gaming licensees are able to operate in an environment that generates healthy revenue for the state through economic development,” Hebert said.

Johns Leaving After More Than Three Years

Former Chairman Johns announced his retirement from the board in May, serving as chairman for more than three years.

Former Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) appointed Johns as chairman in May 2021. Johns resigned his seat on the Louisiana Senate, on which he had served since 2012, to accept the position.

Johns was instrumental in getting Louisiana online sports betting off the ground, as he and the board helped craft the state’s sports betting rules and regulations. The state launched online sports betting just a handful of months after Johns came to the board.