With the Texas sports betting conversations continuing to get louder, a new House bill was introduced this week.
On Wednesday, Rep. Sam Harless introduced House Joint Resolution 134, which would amend the state constitution to legalize Texas sports betting. It would need to pass the House and Senate before going to a public vote in November.
A similar resolution passed the House in 2023 in the legislature that meets only in odd years. However, a roadblock in the Senate remains in Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has been a vocal opponent of gambling expansion in the state.
Texas sports betting resolution details
The resolution would allow for several organizations in the state to offer sports betting:
- A sports team in existence on Jan. 1, 2025.
- A sports organization that held an annual PGA Tour event before Jan. 1, 2025.
- Class 1 racetrack in operation on Jan. 1, 2025.
- A designee of one of those entities.
The resolution also includes the ballot language. Despite the limited details, the group representing BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel is in favor of the legislation.
“We appreciate Rep. Harless introducing this constitutional amendment,” said Karina Kling, spokesperson for the Texas Sports Betting Alliance. “Right now, unregulated sports betting is happening across the state, putting consumers at risk and costing Texas millions in lost tax revenue every year.
“It’s time to let Texans take control and decide if they want a strong, regulatory framework for sports betting — just like the 39 states that have already moved forward.”
2023 Texas sports betting details
Beyond the included entities and ballot language, the legislation carries no other industry details.
The 2023 bill passed the House by a 100-43 vote, but Patrick said there was not enough GOP support in the upper chamber to call it for a vote. Enabling legislation also passed the House.
That legislation set a 15% tax rate on sports betting revenue.
Voices grow louder
This month, Gov. Greg Abbott told the Houston Chronicle he has no objection to sports betting. Former Gov. Rick Perry is also a supporter, as is former Texas Secretary of State John Scott.
The University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs released a survey this month showing 60% of Texans support sports betting legalization.
While those voices carry heavy weight, Patrick still decides what gets voted on in the Senate. As of now, the official Texas GOP stance is anti-gambling.
Big money in favor
During the 2023 push, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones endorsed sports betting. Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta also has an expansive casino and entertainment portfolio and has been a sports betting supporter.
Billionaire Mark Cuban has also advocated for the expansion of gambling in the Lone Star State but called sports betting “less interesting” than destination casinos.
Casino magnate Miriam Adelson purchased a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks and has funneled millions of dollars into the legalization effort.
