With momentum continuing to build for Texas sports betting, Gov. Greg Abbott has changed his tune.
Earlier this year, Abbott was neutral on legalizing Texas sports betting. This week, on the Texas Take Podcast, the governor said he has no objection to legalization.
“I don’t have a problem with online sports betting,” he told the Houston Chronicle’s podcast. “The reality is that I’d be shocked if there were not some Texans that do it already. It’s a very common practice, and it seems to be part of the entertainment that goes along when you’re watching a football game, especially pro football or other types of sports and things like that. I don’t have a problem with that.”
In 2023, the Texas House passed online sports betting legislation. It fell short in the Senate, where Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been a staunch sports betting opponent and controls what is heard in the upper chamber.
Texas sports betting industry excitement
On the heels of Abbott’s interview, the Sports Betting Alliance released a statement celebrating the comment. The SBA represents BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel.
“We appreciate the governor’s comments because this echoes what we’re hearing from Texans,” SBA President Jeremy Kudon said in a release. “They want the opportunity to vote on legalizing sports betting and putting in place a strong regulatory framework that protects consumers and boosts revenue in the state.”
The SBA release also noted that Texans made 1.48 million attempts in November to log into legal sportsbooks in Texas, an increase from 1.15 million in October. It also noted that a University of Houston poll released this week showed that 60% of Texans support legalized sports betting.
Support grows in Texas
Every professional sports team in Texas supports the legalization, according to the SBA.
Still, some of the billionaires in the Lone Star State might prefer to legalize destination casinos, as Mark Cuban has stated in the past. Casino magnate Miriam Adelson, who purchased a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks in 2023, has poured millions into Texas politics hoping to legalize gambling in the state.
Politicians in the state are also lining up in support of the industry, including former Gov. Rick Perry.
Texas path to legalization
The Texas Constitution prohibits gambling expansion. Therefore, legislation must be approved by two-thirds of the legislature before being sent to voters.
Republican Rep. Jeff Leach led the effort in 2023, but Patrick, already an opponent of gambling expansion, said there was insufficient Republican support in the Senate. The official GOP stance is anti-gambling.
This year, Democrat Sen. Carol Alvarado has introduced the only bill so far. That could change in the legislative session that runs until June 2.
