Louisiana's implementation of sports betting is being delayed by the absence of a gambling regulatory chief, Republican state Senate President Page Cortez said in an interview with USA Today Network Tuesday.

Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed a series of bills by Cortez, Republican Sen. Rick Ward of Port Allen and Republican Rep. John Stefanski of Crowley legalizing the framework for sports betting.

But the Gaming Control Board must promulgate the rules before before the casinos can begin building out sports betting parlors and restaurants and bars can secure kiosks where bets can be placed.

"It's a little bit of a hiccup," Cortez said. "We don't have a Gaming Control Board chair, and until then the board can't promulgate the rules."