After Texas Gov. Greg Abbott not too long ago expressed help for legalizing sports activities betting, fellow Republican and state Rep. Sam Harless filed a invoice this week that if handed would permit voters to determine the problem.
The proposal requires Texans to vote on a constitutional modification, placing sports activities betting on the poll this November. House Joint Resolution 134 says it could “legalize wagering in this state on certain sporting events.”
Details Remain Sketchy
The particulars of the plan are obscure within the two-page decision. The decision permits for a number of entities to supply sports activities betting, together with skilled groups, which presumably may imply retail sports activities betting at stadiums. Groups that held an annual PGA Tour occasion earlier than Jan. 1, 2025, would even be allowed to supply betting, together with Class 1 racetracks in existence earlier than that date as effectively.
Whether on-line wagering can be authorized is a little bit of an open query, however the decision does permit for “a designee of an (approved) entity.” It’s unclear if that would embrace main on-line sports activities betting operators. A tax fee isn’t talked about within the decision.
Senate Obstacles Remain
Sports betting has been a scorching matter in Texas over the previous couple of years as quite a few different states across the nation have legalized sports activities wagering. The Texas Sports Betting Alliance (TSBA), made up of gaming firms and backed by skilled sports activities groups just like the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros, and San Antonio Spurs, welcomed the proposal.
“We appreciate Rep. Harless introducing this constitutional amendment,” TSBA spokeswoman Karina Kling stated. “Right now, unregulated sports activities betting is going on throughout the state, placing shoppers in danger and costing Texas hundreds of thousands in misplaced tax income yearly.
“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.”
In 2023, a sports activities betting invoice handed the home in a 100-43 vote, however did not get to a vote within the state senate. Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick units the agenda within the state senate and has proven little interest in backing a invoice that isn’t supported by a majority of Republicans. If that help isn’t discovered, Harless’ invoice might face the same destiny.
“I might have three or four senators out of 20 Republicans who support it. That’s it,” he advised 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.”
A brand new research from the University of Houston exhibits that 60% of residents help Texas sports activities betting, with 64% of Democrats and 59% of Republicans backing legalization. Another current research famous that the state may generate greater than $360 million in annual tax income whereas including over 8,000 jobs.
