The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas recently sent a letter to the Texas Senate asking for legislative intervention to stop the practice of online lottery sales in the Lone Star State.
Slippery Slope
Texas is one of the few states with no commercial casinos or online sports betting. Although only one federally authorized tribal casino is operating in Texas, those looking for action can also sate their appetites with bingo, horse racing, and greyhound racing. And of course, there is the Texas Lottery, which has been operating since 1992.
But until 2021, Texans would have to purchase their tickets in person at a licensed lottery dealer. However, an independent third-party ticket-purchasing service called theLotter Texas began serving as a digital courier for those who didn’t want to make the trip to an authorized lottery dealer. Since that time, other popular ticket-purchasing companies like DraftKings’ Jackpocket have also emerged.
This has raised the ire of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, operators of the only federally authorized tribal casino in Texas, the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino located in Maverick County. The Kickapoos believe the online lottery is akin to slot machines in that the outcome is determined by a random number generator. Online gaming is still not legal in Texas, but strides have been made in advancing digital sports betting legislation.
The letter argued that online lottery providers are engaged in “an express attempt to work around the State’s prohibition on internet gaming and achieving this result… is the end goal many of these courier services.”
The letter also referenced DraftKings’ purchase of Jackpocket, stating, “at least one courier service was purchased by a sports betting company because of the online gaming capabilities.”
“The tribe maintains respect for the law, its tribal citizens, and its neighbors,” the letter reads. “As such the Tribe is deeply concerned about the unlawful expansion of Gaming in the State of Texas, the operation of lottery courier services in a manner that allows internet gaming, and the slippery slope down which the Texas Lottery Commission is proceeding.”
Mobile Sports Betting a Long Shot
The Texas legislature meets in alternating years, which means they will convene in 2025. Another shot at online sports betting is expected after the Texas House passed legislation in 2023, only for it to stall in the Senate.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick oversees Senate proceedings and has been a staunch opponent of online sports betting. He will again preside over the state’s upper chamber, but there are rumors that he may vacate his office for a position in the Trump administration.
In a social media post in May 2023, Patrick wrote, “I’ve said repeatedly there is little to no support for expanding gaming from Senate GOP. I polled members this week. Nothing changed. The Senate must focus on issues voters expect us to pass. We don’t waste time on bills without overwhelming GOP support. HB1942 won’t be referred. #txlege”
However, if Patrick does accept a presidential appointment, anyone succeeding him is likely to stick to the party line and oppose mobile sports betting. This means that any chance of Texans betting on a game with their digital devices is unlikely to happen until 2027, when the legislature meets again.
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