Some Cashless Venues Could Be Going Away in Louisiana
A new law in Louisiana could change the way venues operate. In recent years, many venues have gone cashless. From pro stadiums to concerts. The move, allegedly, was to lower operational costs & cut down on theft/fraud. When it initially started happening, there was a little pushback, but overall it went more smoothly than expected. A lot of people didn't like it, but they adapted.
But, in Louisiana, it sounds like certain venues around the state could be going back to accepting cash.
Could Cashless Venues Become a Thing of the Past in Louisiana?
There's a new bill being proposed in Louisiana that could be the end of cashless venues - at least for colleges. The bill that's advancing through the Louisiana Legislature aims to require public colleges & universities to accept cash at all events - including sporting events.
House Bill 5, authored by Rep. Charles Owens, wants these public universities to go back to accepting cash. It passed the House Education Committee with an 11-2 vote.
Now, why is Owens against cashless venues? He says that the practice makes it difficult for some attendees - primarily teenagers & older adults who mostly use cash in their ever day lives.
Several Louisiana Universities are Against the Changes
As mentioned before, the reason - partially- for the change is to cut back on operational expenses and fraud. One of the Universities that has been vocally opposing the bill is the University of New Orleans. UNO, through lobbyist Lenny Kopowski, noted the reason they initially went cashless was because someone stole $3,600 in cash from their athletic department.
LSU reported that going back to accepting cash could cost the school upwards of $75,000 and lead to slow downs at concession stands for vendors.
There have been several alternatives thrown out - only having limited vendors that accept cash, using reverse ATMs (where you deposit cash into a machine and receive a temporary debit card), etc..
What's Next for Louisiana House Bill 5?
The Bill passed the House Education Committee. The next step is for it to be debated & discussed by the full House of Representatives. At this time, it's scheduled to be up for discussion today. It could be changed, it could be approved, it could be shelved. There's a lot to figure out.
But, this bill could have major implications for venues around the state. Many venues are owned by Government bodies. If state run colleges are forced to accept cash, could places like Brookshire Grocery Arena be next? We'll find out soon enough.