Amendments To Legalize Texas Sports Betting And Casino Filed In State House

Two additional measures seeking to legalize Texas sports betting were filed by lawmakers last week in the state’s House of Representatives, the chamber that is most likely to support calls to expand legalized gambling in the Lone Star State.

Both bills would require voters to approve a constitutional amendment on this November’s ballot in order. The key difference is that House Joint Resolution 134 focuses solely on sports betting, while HJR 137 calls for the legalization of both sports betting and brick-and-mortar casinos.

Under the Texas Constitution, any measure proposing an amendment needs a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate before voters could consider it. That would be a minimum of 100 yes votes in the 150-seat House and 21 yes votes in the 31-seat Senate.

What’s In The Bills

State Rep. Sam Harless, R-Spring, sponsors HJR 134. Under his proposal, the legislature would be allowed to create a law to legalize and regulate sports betting if voters approve.

Should that happen, the state’s sports teams, golf courses that are home to annual pro golf tour events (such as the TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, home to THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson) and the three horse racing tracks (LoneStar Park, Retama Park and Sam Houston Race Park) would be eligible to offer sports betting or designate an entity to offer it.

Harless’ bill does not indicate whether online sports wagering would be allowed in the state. Nor does it indicate how much operators would be taxed.

State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Lake Worth, filed HJR 137 last Wednesday – the same day as Harless submitted his resolution. HJR 137 would allow voters to decide if they want brick-and-mortar casinos and sports betting to be legalized. Geren’s measure does not indicate who would be eligible to offer sports betting. However, it would allow up to 10 casinos in the state and permit the state’s three federally recognized tribes to negotiate a Class III gaming compact with the state.

What Would Taxes Look Like?

If voters approve HJR 137, taxes on sports betting and casino revenue could not surpass 15%.

No hearings have been scheduled for either House measure. The Texas Legislature is scheduled to be in session through June 2.

Gaming Bills Still A Longshot In Lone Star State

Texas has long been on the wish list for many expanded gaming proponents. It is one of the last 11 states to not legalize sports betting, and gaming operators in Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma have been generating revenue by enticing Texans to drive just across the border to play slot machines and such table games as roulette and blackjack.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has pushed for the state to legalize casinos and Texas sports betting apps, and sports betting operators brought in former Gov. Rick Perry to be a spokesperson for the effort. Earlier this month, current Gov. Greg Abbott officially endorsed legalizing sports betting, noting that some in the nation’s second most populous state are already doing it, either in neighboring states or through online apps that have not been approved in Texas.

Latest On Casino Gaming

Meanwhile, the push to legalize casino gaming has been picked up by Las Vegas Sands, which owns integrated casino resorts in Macao and Singapore in Asia. The company previously owned the Venetian and Palazzo casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, as well as the adjoining expo center, until it sold those properties three years ago.

In late 2023, the NBA approved the families that own the controlling share of Sands stock to become the majority owners of the Dallas Mavericks, buying that stake from Mark Cuban. The company also owns nearly 260 acres of land in the Dallas area, with some expecting the company to leverage their ownership of the Mavericks to get casino gaming legalized, which would enable them to build a new arena at an integrated casino resort.

While a recent poll by the University of Houston shows a majority of Texans want casino gaming and sports betting legalized, both issues face significant challenges of getting passed in the state Senate.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the chamber, is a staunch opponent of legalized gaming and has said repeatedly it would not come up for a vote.

Patrick is term limited, and a new lieutenant governor will be elected next year, prompting many gaming proponents to believe their best shot at legalization will start in 2027.