The possibility of a significant roadblock to Texas sports betting being removed increased Tuesday with the election of President Donald Trump, but the odds of the issue’s legalization in 2025 likely will not budge too much.
In his second administration, Trump could elevate Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to a role in his administration, which would remove TX sports betting’s most vocal opponent. Industry sources have said that is the only avenue that could open the door to the issue in 2025.
However, another anti-gambling voice would likely take his place: Sen. Charles Schwertner. Stifel analyst Steve Wieczynski said that with Schwertner in charge, the Republican-controlled Senate would remain a “challenge.”
Texas sports betting push
The Texas House passed sports betting legislation in 2023, but it did little in the Senate because of Patrick. The lieutenant governor told CBS News Texas in December 2023 that the votes are not there for casinos, and there was no public outcry after the legislation failed in 2023.
Dallas Stars President Brad Alberts told LSR earlier this year the same challenges will remain in place.
Most industry sources agree there is very little chance the issue will gain any more traction because of the GOP’s anti-gambling stance.
Texas sports betting activity
In September, GeoComply blocked more than 1.1 million login attempts from Texas at legal online sportsbooks in other states.
Those attempts came from 105,000 user accounts, up 57% compared to the same time period in 2023.
“Every thwarted attempt to log in to a legal sportsbook represents a missed opportunity for Texans to engage in a safe, regulated activity and for the state to generate tax revenue to support important programs,” Texas Sports Betting Alliance spokesperson Lauren Clay said in a release.
Powerful names push gambling
Both Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban are adamant about legalizing gambling in the Lone Star State.
While Cuban said he is more interested in resorts and casinos for tourism reasons, Jones recently told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that sports betting will ultimately come to Texas. Until then, however, the state will lose out on revenue, he said.
While a shift in the GOP platform could open the path for gambling, Texans will not elect a new gubernatorial administration until 2026. That means the path will likely stay blocked until at least 2027.
