Louisiana senator resigns to lead gambling regulatory board
By MELINDA DESLATTEJuly 23, 2021 GMT
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A longtime state lawmaker from the Lake Charles area resigned Friday from the Senate to take the helm of Louisiana’s gambling regulatory board.
Gov. John Bel Edwards appointed Republican Ronnie Johns, of Sulphur, as chairman of the Gaming Control Board. Johns has been one of the Democratic governor’s longtime allies in the Legislature.
Johns stepped down from his legislative seat to take the position, leaving the Senate more than two years before he’d be forced out by term limits. He’ll take charge of the gambling board as it begins to roll out legalized sports betting around Louisiana.