Based on the altering panorama within the state legislature, makes an attempt to legalize sports activities betting and casinos in Texas could also be hitting a useless finish.
This is regardless of current assist from Gov. Greg Abbott and different legislators.
However, a dozen new Republican legislators have changed pro-gaming lawmakers this legislative session and have come out in opposition to any expanded playing within the Lone Star State. Three extra returning lawmakers who beforehand supported a sports activities betting invoice additionally now say they’ve joined the group to oppose gaming expansion.
“We are confident this legislation does not have the votes necessary to pass the Texas House this session,” a letter from the group notes. “Given the certainty of its failure, I urge you not to waste valuable committee time on an issue that is dead on arrival.”
Opposition Further Jeopardizes Current Bills
Neither the on line casino or sports activities betting invoice have but to even attain a committee and passage would require a two-thirds majority in each homes of the legislature and signed by the governor. The challenge would then go to voters to determine whether or not to amend the structure.
In 2023, the home barely met that threshold and seeing about 15 legislators specific opposition places the difficulty unsure. Coupled with continued opposition from Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick within the senate could doom the prospect of passage of both invoice.
Patrick has mentioned previously that he wouldn’t deliver a vote on playing except there was sufficient assist from the Republican caucus. It seems that threshold hasn’t been met.
“I might have three or four senators out of 20 Republicans who support it. That’s it,” he instructed 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.”
Las Vegas Sands Corp. has been pushing for playing growth in Texas since 2020 when the corporate employed eight lobbyists to sway Texas legislators. Given the present panorama, if legislators permit on line casino playing, Texas sports activities betting gained’t be far behind.
In associated information, legislators launched two poker payments within the legislature. One would legalize the state’s poker golf equipment whereas the opposite would ban them.
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