Louisiana has legal gambling.

Some divorced and separated parents of Louisiana children collectively owe $1 billion in child support. Many individual parents owe more than $10,000.

Some of those parents win money gambling though.

What’s wrong with this picture?

A Louisiana senator believes a parent’s gambling winnings should be applied to that parent’s back child support.

And he’s introduced legislation to make that happen, at least where the parent’s winnings exceed $1,200.

This is likely easier, less expensive and generally more effective than garnishing wages and suspending driver’s and professional licenses.

If the proposed legislation is passed, Louisiana will join the ranks of states that already look to gambling winnings for child support arrears.

Read more in this [Louisiana] Daily World editorial: Seize winnings of deadbeat parents.