Las Vegas Sands, the prominent casino operator with ties to the Dallas Mavericks, is intensifying its efforts to rally support to bring legalized gambling to the Dallas area.
Lobbyist Andy Abboud, Sands’ senior vice president of government relations, met with officials from Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Arlington, and Farmers Branch on Tuesday, per The Dallas Morning News.
The meeting, organized by the North Texas Commission and the Texas Association of Business, was held in Hurst and marks another step in the campaign to explore the impact of gambling in Texas.
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer, and Dallas City Council Member Chad West of District 1 were key participants in the meeting. According to West, Farmer Branch Mayor Terry Lynn was also in attendance.
Despite his personal reservations about gambling, West sees the need for Dallas to prepare for potential changes.
“I’m personally not a gambler, and I don’t really want to be. But I think it’s an industry with an incredible economic impact opportunity,” West said. “I unequivocally believe Texas will legalize gambling, and because of that, I think we have a fiduciary duty as representatives to be prepared for that.”
However, West added, “The bottom line is that it’s probably not going to happen this legislative session.”
The City of Irving, which is positioning itself for a potential casino, notes that Sands has already acquired 108 acres near the former Dallas Cowboys stadium site, reported The Dallas Morning News.
According to an economic study by Rice University’s George Zodrow, if gambling is legalized in Texas, the state’s economy could boom by $13 billion, creating 70,000 permanent jobs and 185,000 construction jobs. The Dallas-Fort Worth area could benefit from an estimated $34.7 million boost in taxes collected, per the Dallas Business Journal.
Sands envisions two destination resorts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and at least five across the state if legalization occurs, per DMN.
Sands’ investment in Texas is big, and notable figures, including Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont, have contributed to the pro-gambling push. Adelson has previously invested millions into lobbying efforts.
Legislative efforts to legalize gambling have repeatedly stalled throughout the state, as The Dallas Express previously reported.
The move would require a constitutional amendment. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has expressed skepticism about the feasibility of pro-gambling legislation, citing a lack of support among Senate Republicans.
The Texas Republican Party platform, which was ratified earlier this year, clearly states: “We oppose any expansion of gambling, including legalized casino gambling.”
Following Galveston’s ban on gambling in 1957, numerous “bosses” and casino managers migrated to Las Vegas, marking the last days of prominent gambling in Texas, reported Texas Monthly.
In June 1957, authorities gathered enough evidence to force 47 businesses on Galveston Island to shut down permanently. Many slot machines and gaming tables were destroyed and discarded into the bay.