Everything is bigger in Texas, including the gambling battle, which is taking another turn.
A new committee will now dive into the pros and cons of legalizing casino gambling and betting in The Lone Star State. As the legislature gears up for its 2025 session, advocates are eagerly awaiting the outcome.
The North Texas Commission (NTC) is assembling a team of business and community leaders. Their mission? To explore the impact of destination resorts and casino gambling. Last time around (2023), Texas lawmakers left the gambling issue hanging—casino legislation stalled in the House, and the Senate nixed a bill for online sports betting that had already passed in the House.
What Will The Committee “Explore”?
The “exploratory committee” will look into economic development, infrastructure needs, transportation, and public safety implications. NTC’s Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Brophey, wants a diverse mix of voices on the committee, including elected officials, tourism leaders, and representatives from religious organizations.
The plan is to launch the committee in the fall and to begin the research before the Texas legislative session begins early next year.
Does This Ensure Legalization?
In short—it does not. The potential impact of the new committee and the ongoing push for legalization in Texas is still uncertain.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has consistently opposed gambling expansion in the state, highlighting that Texas Republicans typically avoid advancing measures with Democratic majority support. Therefore, passing gambling legislation may require significant new Republican backing.
Rep. Jeff Leach mentioned to the Dallas Morning News last month that it remains a long shot.
All Forms of Gambling Getting Support in Texas
The company Sands and its majority owner, billionaire Miriam Adelson, have been working hard to legalize casino gambling in Texas. They’ve spent millions of dollars on lobbying efforts, including hiring 76 lobbyists in 2021 and spending nearly $7 million in Austin. Despite their efforts, the legislation didn’t pass.
Adelson has also made significant political contributions in Texas, donating over $13 million during this year’s primary and runoff elections. A political action committee associated with Sands has supported various candidates, including House Speaker Dade Phelan, with more than $2 million in funding. However, their push for legalized gambling in Texas hasn’t yet succeeded.
On top of that, notable Texans like former Governor Rick Perry and sports moguls Mark Cuban and Jerry Jones have championed sports betting. And studies from the University of Houston and Rice University suggest that many Texas residents are on board with expanding gambling in the Lone Star State. Brophey emphasizes that the NTC aims to hear both sides of the debate.
Gambling Legalization Battle Continues in Texas
So, the battle to legalize gambling in Texas wages on, and continues to face significant hurdles.
Lt. Gov. Patrick’s opposition and the general reluctance of Texas Republicans to support measures with Democratic backing pose major challenges. The prospect of passing gambling legislation remains a long shot, underscoring the need for a considerable shift in Republican support to achieve any meaningful change.
Maybe the formation of the new committee will be the first step in taking the discussion in the other direction. We’ll have to wait and see.
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