Two separate Texan gaming legislations – HB 422 and HB 2843 – were passed by the House State Affairs committee with 9-3 votes.
The bills now go to the House Calendar committee, where lawmakers will decide if they will be up for a vote on floor.
The House Bill 1942 is the first piece of legislation that seeks to legalize online betting in the Lone Star State.
The law would create a regulatory system with a $500,000 access charge and a 10% tax for gross gambling revenue. The bill is supported by the Texan mobile operators, former governor Rick Perry and the Texan sports franchises.
The bill is accompanied with House Joint Resolution 102, which seeks to authorise gambling via amendment.
To pass such a measure, it would need to be approved by two-thirds of each chamber and a majority vote of Texans in a November special election.
House Bill 2843 is the second law proposed, and it is more comprehensive. It would regulate sports betting and casino gambling, and establish a new regulatory body, the Texas Gaming Commission. The legislation, similar to HB 422, is accompanied by House Joint Resolution 155. This would change the state constitution.
