BATON ROUGE- A bill to allow a statewide referendum on fantasy sports betting passed the Louisiana House of Representatives without questions Tuesday night.

If lawmakers approve it during the session, the issue would be added to the ballot in November for voters to approve. Representative Kirk Talbot (R-River Ridge) is the bill's sponsor.

"I think it's fun. It's more about skill than chance," he said.

The statewide referendum would not allow fantasy sports gambling everywhere. It would only legalize it in parishes where a majority of people vote for it.

Fantasy sports websites would verify if users in Louisiana live in the parishes where it's legal.

If voters approve, then lawmakers will likely create new taxes for the industry and players during the 2019 legislative session.

The bill now heads to the state Senate.