Louisiana approves game-industry tax breaks

Governor Jindal signs into law credits of 25 percent on expenses, 10 percent on in-state payroll for companies developing interactive media.

The last time the Entertainment Software Association and the state of Louisiana made headlines, it was as a result of a legal dispute in 2006 over the constitutionality of a law designed to restrict the sale of violent games to minors. With the ESA ultimately emerging victorious in that suit, the intervening years have seen relations between the gaming industry's representative body and the Bayou State considerably improve.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal

This week, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed into law tax incentives designed to lure a variety of trades to his state, among them the gaming industry. HB 277, sponsored by state senator Ann Duplessis, offers gaming companies a 25 percent tax credit for expenses made in developing interactive media, with an additional 10 percent credit offered on state payroll taxes. Companies have been able to apply for the tax credit since July 1, 2009.

Following the announcement by Governor Jindal's office, the ESA hailed the move as a good long-term investment for the state. "Developers and publishers live and work for years in states where games are created, providing a higher return on investment than any form of entertainment," said ESA president and CEO Michael Gallagher in a statement.

According to the ESA's figures, more than 80,000 people work in the US gaming industry, directly or indirectly, as of 2007, 4,381 of which are in Louisiana. The ESA further noted that the Louisiana gaming sector has grown on average by 9 percent since 2001.

114 Comments

  • Ne_rome

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 12:57 am PT

    @samissleman17

    there are plenty of gamers in louisiana.
    i am proudly one of them.

  • ascalon94

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 4:23 pm PT

    Bobby Jindal is a great man he will probably run for prez in 2016 or so...

  • gam3r3OOO

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 1:05 pm PT

    ...and I thought politics and gaming were like oil and water. I like this guy: Bobby Jindal, hes got more sense than most politicians

  • Hellbishop

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 11:43 am PT

    Great to read this. Respect leads to understanding with one hand washing the other in positive growth.

  • bannermanner

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 3:34 pm PT

    @ thrashunreal:

    Since when have business-growing tax breaks ever been in accordance with the principles of modern American liberalism? Last time I checked, it was never...

  • thrashunreal

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 2:28 pm PT

    Hey, I wasn't saying Jindal wasn't doing a "good thing," I'm just saying that obviously Jindal is trying to stay relevant amongst young voters. Like every politician. But he is extending a LIBERAL program, so all the that-a-boy'in from the Right is kinda silly.

    You gotta admit, this guy failed at trolling Obama.

  • Glade_Gnarr

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 1:24 pm PT

    Nice move, politicians have getting less and less douchey lately. First Canada helps Ubi and now this.

  • formerroadie

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 10:59 am PT

    GO DEMS!

  • Trogeton

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 10:58 am PT

    I live in Louisiana

  • Aaron_Knuts1

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 10:39 am PT

    Where's Obama?? Who cares!!! Ha. (Where's Obama. Jeez.)

  • PhilWil92

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 9:36 am PT

    Good Ol Republican getting the job done. Where's Obama??

  • lfgomila

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 9:12 am PT

    hey samissleman17. go f*ck yourself. seriously.

  • SemiMaster

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 8:10 am PT

    Why is everyone being so negative based on his political views. He did a good thing for gaming. You should be thankful.

  • Sevont

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 8:02 am PT

    samissleman17...I'm still in Louisiana. Where are you from? Maybe I'll have a problem with it for no apparent reason; other than the fact of my dislike towards garlic scented douches like yourself.

  • CamiKitten

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 7:32 am PT

    Hmmm, that 'might' balance out LA gaming industry, but what about everywhere else.

  • defmech1

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 9:49 pm PT

    Hate to break it to some of you guys, but the digital media tax incentive that was added to the film and tv production tax incentive program was started under a liberal governor(Blanco). These recent tax breaks just extend what has already been around for quite a few years already. Left/Right politics don't have anything to do with this at all.

  • samissleman17 posted Jul 12, 2009 9:08 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    samissleman17

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 9:08 pm PT (hide)

    I think he's gonna run for president and try to win the gamers vote lolz. too bad he's conservative, and from Louisiana. SEriously, who's still in louisiana?

  • bannermanner

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 5:05 pm PT

    Jindal's response to the President (who would more than likely do the opposite of this) wasn't good, but I still think he's the best thing to happen to Louisiana politics since...well, ever.

  • eagles_band

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 5:04 pm PT

    Jindal is awesome. Thank God he's not a liberal. Liberals hate games.

  • hannify

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 4:48 pm PT

    woo?

  • RenegadePatriot

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 2:14 pm PT

    Im glad to hear that the Gaming Industry is going to come to my State

  • ultimte3ricecrm

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 2:06 pm PT

    Hm...cool!

  • LSUTIGERMAN

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 1:34 pm PT

    Darius Danze,

    Sorry I'm a little on edge. You see I'm a sound designer over at LSU and I don't even have a clue if I'm going to have a job next semester because of all these cuts. Louisiana artists barely are able to make it with the 3.3 million dollar budget we already have, and to ask us to do it with only 500,000 thousand is just asinine. But if his other Arts funding cut goes through then it will be even lower. It's not looking good for anyone that's involved with the arts program here. Taking out loans are a good idea except that most banks won't give them out to artists and when they do the interest is too high for the artist to pay back leaving them in debt.

  • ascalon94

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 12:13 pm PT

    People need to relize that people in Louisiana dont live in swamps and ride alligators to Wal-Mart. What you saw in WaterBoy was a joke.With this great news I really really wish some BA companies would open up so some BA games could be made here

  • thrashunreal posted Jul 12, 2009 11:12 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    thrashunreal

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 11:12 am PT (hide)

    Can you say "irrelevant politician pandering to young voters?"

  • mitchell2532

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 10:55 am PT

    As a gamer in Louisiana I couldn't be happier.

  • darius_danze

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 10:06 am PT

    LSUTIGERMAN -
    1.First of "Moron" is uncalled for in a civil debate I did not call you or anyone names.

    2.That 83% cut is tax payer money not revenue from the arts. If the arts can not survive without the grants it is not the number two industry in the state. For a business to be a success it must thrive on its own revenues.

    3.That's still a lot of free money from the people of Louisiana. Perhaps to make up the shortfall they can do what other businesses do, take out loans.

    4.I care deeply about the arts. I frequent Playhouse Square and the Beck Center for the Arts. Both of whom have had financial difficulties but saved themselves through donors and investors not government hand outs. Not to mention that my parents are stage performers and most of their friends are as well. They've all done pretty well without suckling off the Government teat. You are right on one thing though. I do not care about the effect the arts have on Louisiana. I have no stake in it and it may be borderline suicide to force them to succeed on their own merit. I however, would argue that it is certain suicide to not advance with the times and not have a balanced budget as well.

  • ShadowDeathX

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 7:52 am PT

    This still doesn't make up for his horrible counter-speech against Obama.

  • Lord_Regnier

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 7:32 am PT

    Excellent decision!

  • taliff

    Posted Jul 12, 2009 1:24 am PT

    I voted for him!

  • HumanoMexicano posted Jul 11, 2009 11:48 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    HumanoMexicano

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 11:48 pm PT (hide)

    Hell yeah keep the masses stupid with MOAR mindless videogame while the elite rob Amerikkka and leave it to die. 2025 ftw!


    Just kidding...cool?

  • valuum

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 6:33 pm PT

    Go, this guy.

  • LSUTIGERMAN

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 6:09 pm PT

    "I love how everybody is attacking Jindal for cutting 3.3 million from the arts. If its the number two industries in your state it should be able to survive on the revenue it makes. If it can not do that then its status is a lie. Not to mention that the amount of tax revenue that the state will see from just one AAA title will more than make up for a tiny budget cut of 3.3 million. I bet you see an increase in the arts as well seeing that most people involved in game design are artists themselves and would be pumping their money back into the local scene."

    That's grant money you moron. If you cut 83% of the grant money how exactly are you going to see an increase? The cuts would leave little more than $500,000 for DAF funding statewide. He's also proposed cutting statewide arts grants by 31 percent, slicing regional folklife funding in half and eliminating funding for artist fellowships. You obviously don't know or care about what the arts program does for Louisiana. It's borderline suicide for us to just cut it out for something we have no experience doing.

  • okassar

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 5:54 pm PT

    WOW!I'm a Democrat,but I still think Jindal pwns.

  • Inconnux

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 5:05 pm PT

    It is nice to see some politicians get it... tax breaks help businesses!

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 4:35 pm PT

    Sweet, smart move.

  • skullboy950

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 4:13 pm PT

    Louisiana gamers should be glad.

  • NuKkU

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 3:26 pm PT

    Thats a great thing!!! Bobby Jindal sounds like a good governor

  • Silverbond

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 1:15 pm PT

    I can't believe this turned into a political discussion. And I can't believe people are bashing Louisiana over this. I'm a liberal who lives in New Orleans. I like my home and I'm glad my state is doing this.

  • Hot-Tamale

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 12:53 pm PT

    You guys need to remember that Louisiana isn't the first state to do this. Massachusetts was the first, followed by California, followed by Texas. I appreciate what Jindal is doing (even if he is an idiot), and hope that these government incentives will lure more developers to the state, but it's nothing 'new.'

  • swamptick

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 12:44 pm PT

    I really like Bobby Jindal. People who don't think the guy is smart are so easily misled by the media. Lol@lemmings.

  • sdcazares1980

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 12:11 pm PT

    It's mighty telling when a conservative-leaning state like Louisiana is willing to give tax breaks to the industry it's criticizing. California needs to find a way to do the same thing.

  • spawnassasin

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 11:58 am PT

    good news this is

  • desman

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 11:29 am PT

    yay louisiana ftw...maybe i wont have to leave here with my CS degree

  • RazerBlade13

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 10:54 am PT

    That's what I'm talking about. I always thought that this industry would survive in the recession. GAMING IS BULLETPROOF!!

  • nintendoboy16

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 10:43 am PT

    That's a good thing.

  • armydominican69

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 10:38 am PT

    @Benjy117:

    Yea thats one thing bout LA, not alot of traffic really alot of long winding roads, but there sure are plenty of cops when u reach a town

  • benjy117

    Posted Jul 11, 2009 10:04 am PT

    @armydominican69

    At least its not yankee stuck in traffic as's you have to deal with everyday!

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