While Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is the main antagonist to Texas sports betting legislation, a new group of House GOP members is also stepping up to the role.
A dozen Texas House GOP members came out this week to say they would oppose “any attempt to expand gambling” this session, according to the Texas Tribune. The 12 lawmakers replaced members who voted for Texas sports betting in 2023. The issue passed the House.
“We are confident this legislation does not have the votes necessary to pass the Texas House this session,” the letter said. “Given the certainty of its failure, I urge you not to waste valuable committee time on an issue that is dead on arrival.”
In 2023, the legislation passed with 101 votes, just surpassing the two-thirds vote in the 150-member chamber needed for a constitutional amendment.
Stopping Texas sports betting
The group of lawmakers sent a letter to Rep. Ken King, who chairs the House State Affairs Committee. The 2023 legislation started in the State Affairs Committee.
Along with the 12 freshman lawmakers, three legislators who voted for the 2023 measure also pledged to vote no. The letter comes after GOP Rep. Matt Shaheen told the Dallas Morning News he would ensure the measure is dead. The Texas GOP is against gambling expansion.
“I have a whole coalition of organizations, and we’re going to make sure it’s dead, that it’s six feet under … it won’t pass the House,” Shaheen told the Morning News.
Senate roadblock in place
Patrick, a long-time gambling opponent, decides what is heard on the Senate floor. He has said an issue needs a majority of Republican support in the Senate. He claims sports betting does not have the support to advance in the chamber.
The 2023 effort was the furthest a gambling expansion bill had made it in the Texas legislature. Patrick refused to let the Senate take up the bill.
Rep. Sam Harless introduced a proposal to amend the constitution to allow sports betting. Sen. Juan Hinojosa filed a companion Senate bill this month. If the proposal passes the chambers, the issue would go to the voters.
Texas momentum slowed
Entering into the session, it seemed like momentum was on the side of sports betting legalization. Proponents poured millions into the lobbying effort.
A University of Houston poll showed 60% of those polled in favor of online sports betting. Gov. Greg Abbott said he had “no objection” to the issue.
But recently, with Patrick’s objections, the recent issue with lottery couriers, and the House lawmaker developments, that momentum has quickly subsided for 2025.
