Last Wednesday, a new bill was filed for Texas sports betting by State Representative Sam Harless. The bill, House Joint Resolution No. 134, will allow Texans to vote on whether they want domestic sportsbooks this November.
If enough votes are in favor, the TX State Constitution will be amended to include local sports betting.
State Representative Charlie Geren has also filed House Joint Resolution No. 137, which would allow voters to weigh in on local casinos and sportsbooks.
HJR 137 would permit up to 10 domestic casinos to exist and would tax gambling and sports betting revenue at a rate of 15%
HJR 134 and 137 have received the approval of the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, a pro sportsbook group that includes all major professional franchises in the state.
“Right now, unregulated sports betting is happening across the state, putting consumers at risk and costing Texas millions in lost tax revenue every year. It’s time to let Texans take control and decide if they want a strong, regulatory framework for sports betting—just like the 39 states that have already moved forward.”
Karina Kling – Texas Sports Betting Alliance Spokesperson
Members of the Texas Sports Betting Alliance include:
- BetMGM
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Barstool Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- The Dallas Cowboys
- The Dallas Stars
- The Dallas Mavericks
- The Houston Texans
- The Houston Rockets
- The Houston Astros
- The San Antonio Spurs
- The Texas Rangers
- The PGA Tour
- The Texas Motor Speedway
- The State’s MLS Teams
Governor Greg Abbott is not opposed to gambling expansion in the state and has recently stated that he would not stand in the way of such efforts in the legislature. The problem is Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who is staunchly opposed to local sports betting and casinos.
Patrick also serves as the Senate President and has successfully muted prior efforts to expand gambling. There have been numerous efforts in the House in prior years, but the movement always stalls in the Senate.
The current administration will remain in office until January 2027, and the ticket of Abbott and Patrick have plans to run for reelection. If successful, it could mean that any gambling expansion will have to wait until term limits are up in January 2031.
A recent University of Houston poll revealed that 60% of state residents approve of sports betting. That number leaped to 74% when considering the legalization of land-based casino resorts.
Additional opponents of casinos and sports betting in Texas include the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, which runs a casino in south Texas, Texans Against Gambling, and the Republican Party of Texas.
Sources:
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