Texas Moving Toward Gambling Commission, Commercial Casinos

A week before the Texas election, Governor Greg Abbott proposed something casino owners liked. He’s considering allowing commercial casinos in Texas, which would hurt indigenous businesses.

Texas senator Carol Alvarado has introduced a plan to establish a gaming commission and place a referendum on the ballot, allowing voters to determine if they want up to four additional casino resorts and smaller gambling and sports betting enterprises.

Since the next parliamentary session isn’t until January 10, 2023, neither Governor Abbot nor Senator Alvarado’s suggestions have been addressed.

Texas landmark

Most Texans play cards or slots in neighboring states, attend gambling cruises, or visit one of three tribal casinos.

One of the four casinos may be in a 2-million-person metropolis. Smaller villages may have less gaming. Eagle’s Pass has Texas’ only full-scale casino, two hours from San Antonio.

Change El Paso’s bingo/keno hall and entertainment venue. The government relented to Livingston’s Naskila Gaming after the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe won a court victory.

Racetracks and Indian casinos would allow limited gaming.

The Resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to “promote economic development and job growth, and provide tax relief and funding for education and public safety by creating the Texas Gaming Commission, authorizing and regulating casino gaming at a limited number of licensed destination resorts and facilities, and mandating a gaming tax.”

Vegas Sands wants action

Las Vegas Sands has spent $1.5 million to legalize gaming in Texas.

Casinos weren’t a campaign issue because both candidates backed their economic benefits.

Beto O’Rourke said in October that allowing controlled gambling in Texas would bring billions in annual state revenue. Two-thirds of U.S. states support legalizing and regulating sports betting.

“I’m open to allowing voters to decide on destination-style casinos in our largest metropolitan areas and to easing burdensome regulations on Tribal casinos, while working with local leaders and community members to ensure that any casino operating in Texas benefits the community in which it operates.”

From January 10 until May 29, 2023, Republicans will dominate the 88th Texas Legislature.