Entain reportedly hires former Louisiana gambling regulator

Expelled from his position last summer as chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Ronnie Jones, is reportedly joining Entain's workforce as an advisor.

Former Louisiana Gaming Control Board chairman reportedly joins Entain

UK gambling leader Entain , may have a new member with gambling regulation experience as part of its advisory board. Former Louisiana Gaming Control Board chairman , Ronnie Jones, may join Entain, according to an announcement The Advocate on Monday this week. In his new position at Entain, Jones was expected to help the company expand in the US by providing professional advice on rules and regulations. The UK gambling leader had previously formed an advisory panel and hired a number of people who have professional regulatory experience from various US states.

Before joining Entain, Jones had to ensure that he would not violate any state ethics laws . As such, he submitted a request for an opinion to the Louisiana Board of Ethics . As a result, Jones received approval from the Board of Ethics last week and agreed to take the job on Monday.

Speaking on behalf of The Advocate , he admitted that he had never regulated or licensed the company in the state , yet he had to ask the Board of Ethics if he could accept the job offer. Although the Ethics Board agreed , Jones had to agree to a condition , limiting him to helping Entain "in to obtain compensation, in a transaction or occurrence " in reference to his former employer, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

Jones was kicked off the Gaming Control Board last year

Jones was a state police officer for more than 30 years. He started with the Louisiana State Police as a trooper in 1974. After retiring in 2013, he was appointed by Governor Bobby Jindal to serve as chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board . However, last summer he was one of eleven nominees who did not receive Senate approval.

Although he was appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards , after senators debated behind closed doors in June, Jones was removed as chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board . As a result, last July Governor Edwards announced that Lieutenant Colonel Mike Noel had been appointed as the new Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board .