While Texas sports betting remains illegal, the number of residents attempting to wager continues to increase.
According to a Friday release from the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, GeoComply logged more than 1.48 million attempts to access legal sportsbooks in the Lone Star State during November. That figure is an 87% increase from November 2023.
That was also an increase from 1.15 million in October and 1.1 million in September. The attempts came from 177,000 users.
The attempts come as the conversation regarding potential legislative action on Texas sports betting heats up.
Illegal Texas sports betting
While Texans made nearly 4 million attempts to access legal sportsbooks in other states, the American Gaming Association estimated in 2022 that Lone Star State residents wager $6 billion illegally each year.
A recent Eilers & Krejcik study estimated that Texas could generate $32.1 billion in annual handle, which could result in up to $363 million in tax revenue for the state.
“The data surrounding legalized sports betting in Texas underscores the immense potential for increased tax revenue, job creation, and economic benefits, plus important consumer protections for Texans from risky, unregulated black markets and the personal freedoms enjoyed by the vast majority of Americans,” Texas Sports Betting Alliance spokesperson Lauren Clay said in a release.
“We’re urging the Texas Legislature to take action in January to let Texans play.”
Texas effort to legalize gambling
The legislature only meets in odd years, and in 2023, a sports betting bill passed the House. However, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his staunch anti-gambling views helming the Senate, the bill died without a vote.
Patrick will remain in his position in 2025, and industry proponents are still wary of overly optimistic passage predictions. Still, at least one bill, Senate Joint Resolution 16, has already been introduced to legalize the issue.
Still, big names are backing efforts to pass sports betting and casino legislation. Casino magnate Miriam Adelson has donated more than $13 million to PACs this year ahead of the 2025 push. She purchased a majority of the Dallas Mavericks last year from Mark Cuban, who, along with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, is a strong supporter of gambling legalization in Texas.
