As the 88th session of the Texas Legislature is off to the races, an army of lobbyists and mountains of money are placing their bets that the state will open the door to gambling.
The Las Vegas Sands currently has 69 registered lobbyists, according to a report by the Texas Ethics Commission on January 26. In 2021, the Sands sent an assemblage of 51 lobbyists to the Texas capitol.
Additionally, the Texas Sands PAC has donated millions to various Texas politicians in an attempt to garner support for legalizing the industry.
Top of those benefiting from the Sands’ contributions is House Speaker Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), who received $300,000. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick came next with $225,000, and Gov. Greg Abbott followed close behind with $200,000.
Other Texas politicians and policymakers to receive casino contributions included Comptroller Glenn Hegar, Sen. Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton), Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound), Sen. Morgan LaMantia (D-South Padre), Rep. Kyle Kacal (R-Bryan), Rep. Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande City), Rep. Ben Bumgarner (R-Flower Mound), and many others.
Beyond mere casinos, legalizing Texas gambling has become a major push across the board. Former Gov. Rick Perry recently announced that he would become the spokesman for the pro-gambling organization Sports Betting Alliance.
Cara Gustafson, a spokesperson for the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, explained to The Dallas Express, “Legalizing mobile sports betting can combat the estimated $8.7 billion/year illegal offshore market, protect consumers, and generate more than a quarter billion dollars in direct tax revenue for the state when the market matures.”
“That revenue could be used as a growing, dedicated general revenue source to lower property taxes, support education, enhance health and human services, or other state priorities — all without raising taxes on Texans,” she suggested.
Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) has filed a joint resolution for a constitutional amendment to legalize casino gaming “to foster economic development and job growth.” The senator also suggested the move would “provide tax relief and funding for education and public safety.”
If the joint resolution passes, the general population will get to vote on the matter. Recent polling suggests that such a measure would likely receive the necessary 51% of the vote.
In a recent survey conducted by the University of Houston, 75% of respondents supported the passage of Sen. Alvarado’s resolution, while only 25% opposed it. Support was strongest among Democrats, with an 80% approval rate, while dropping to 72% among Republicans.
If the amendment were to pass, it would authorize licenses for one major resort casino each in the four largest metropolitan areas throughout the state. The battle for where Dallas-Fort Worth’s hypothetical resort casino would likely be is intense, as some have proposed a Dallas-oriented casino built for gambling around a new Mavericks stadium.
However, others have urged that Fort Worth would be a more suitable environment. Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth) said, “I’ve heard the chatter around diners and coffee houses in Fort Worth that if a casino was built in Fort Worth, I think everyone agrees that the Stockyards will be a natural good destination for one.”
The Dallas Express reached out to Texans Against Gambling for comment but did not receive a response prior to publication.
