Texas Governor Expresses Support For Legalizing Sports BettingCould This Be The Year For The Lone Star State? |
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott came out in support of legalized sports betting this week as the legislature at least considers legalization in the Lone Star State.
The Republican governor told the Texas Take Podcast that he sees wagering as just part of the entertainment that goes along with watching sports. Abbott’s support could be critical in seeing the Republican-controlled legislature take up the issue.
“I don’t have a problem with online sports betting,” Abbott said in an interview at the governor’s mansion. “The reality is that I’d be shocked if there were not some Texans that do it already.”
Plenty Of Support
Casino and gaming interests have spent millions of dollars on lobbying efforts in the state over the last few years. Casino mogul Miriam Adelson, widow of the late Sheldon Adelson and majority owner of Las Vegas Sands Corp., also purchased a majority share of the Dallas Mavericks in 2023 and has lobbied for legalized casinos in the state.
The Texas Sports Betting Alliance (TSBA) represents several professional sports teams in the state as well as sportsbook operators, including the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros, San Antonio Spurs, and DraftKings. The group welcomed Abbott’s support.
“We appreciate the governor’s comments because this echoes what we’re hearing from Texans,” TSBA President Jeremy Kudon said. "They want the opportunity to vote on legalizing sports betting and putting in place a strong, regulatory framework that protects consumers and boosts revenue in the state.”
“Illegal sports betting through foreign companies is pervasive. The state should be regulating this and allowing Texans to bet legally. That is what the voters of Texas want.”
Texas sports betting seems more possible than ever. Online gaming geolocation and security firm GeoComply recently reported that 1.5 million Texans attempted to log into a legal sportsbook in November. That’s an increase from 1.2 million in October.
A new study from the University of Houston shows that 60% of Texans support legalizing online sports betting, with 64% of Democrats and 59% of Republicans backing legalization.
Major Obstacles Remain
Despite the surge of support, legalization of any form of gambling would require the legislature to approve a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment. Getting a bill approved for that won’t be easy.
While Democrat Sen. Carol Alvarado has already introduced a bill to allow for legalized casinos and sports betting, Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick sets the agenda in the state senate and has shown no interest in backing a bill that isn’t supported by a majority of Republicans.
Patrick has said there isn’t enough support among party senators to bring the issue to a vote, despite the state house approving a bill in 2023.
“I might have three or four senators out of 20 Republicans who support it. That’s it,” he told WFAA in November. “They say, ‘Oh, we almost passed it last session.’ You know, they almost passed it with every Democrat voting for it and about one of four Republicans voting for it. We don’t do that in the senate.”
Texas remains one of the least gambling-friendly states in the country, with no casinos outside of a few tribal properties that offer bingo. Texans can also engage in parimutuel wagering on horse and greyhound tracks. A slew of poker rooms have opened in recent years, operating as member’s-only clubs that charge an hourly fee rather than take rake.
Joining The Club
A total of 39 states and Washington D.C. now have legalized sports betting. Other states now considering legalization include Hawaii and Mississippi. Connecticut has also seen several bills to set new standards for the state’s sports betting industry.
The news comes as Sunday’s NFL Super Bowl is expected to see record betting numbers of $1.39 billion.
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