The state of Texas is at a crossroads. In-person sports betting is still illegal in Texas, despite support from prominent businesspeople and the current Governor, Greg Abbot.
In a much more scrutinized environment, commercial casinos have also seen some support despite two tribal casinos already operating. Advocates for commercial casino gambling say that the state is missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) reports that the two tribal casinos provide more than 20k jobs and have an economic impact north of $4.8 billion. The state of Texas collects about $483 million in revenue from the two local casinos.
To promote the matter, commercial casino supporters have noted that roughly 85% of the business at the Lake Charles casino in Louisiana is from Texas players. Former state representative Joe Deshotel drafted a commercial casino amendment for the state of Texas in 2021; however, it failed to gain the support needed to be passed into law.
When asked about his previous bill and why it did not pass, Deshotel told the media that powerful voices still don’t approve of casino gambling and that the typical reasoning behind the lack of support is due to religious beliefs.
Push For Sportsbooks In Texas
In recent years, there has been extensive lobbying for domestic and online sportsbooks in the state. Former Dallas Mavericks owner and billionaire Mark Cuban has expressed interest in developing an integrated sportsbook arena for the team. However, legislation must be passed before his dream can become a reality in the Lone Star state.
Miriam Adelson, the heir to the Las Vegas Sands Corp., recently purchased the Mavericks and has also been supporting commercial casinos in the state. So much so that it is reported that her company has purchased 108 acres across State Highway 114 where the Texas Stadium once stood. While she is likely eyeing a casino, a sportsbook might be easier to obtain.
Online Casinos In Texas
Despite only two tribal casinos in the state, 18+ online Texas casinos are available from out-of-state sources. Since no laws forbid online gambling, TX players are free to wager at will if the casino is not physically located within state lines.
Online casinos have been operating and accepting TX players since the late 1990s and have become one of the most trusted methods for wagering on slots, video poker, blackjack, roulette, and more. Since not every TX player can travel over the state line to Louisiana, online casino games have flourished and have become the norm for many players.