No further information was released, and it appears that a last-ditch effort to achieve this goal has been all but abandoned. The House did not pass a bill to expand sports betting within the Lone Star State due to a lack interest from the Upper House.
Senate Refuses To Act On Online Sports Betting In Texas
In recent years, senators in Texas haven’t really focused on the issue of legalizing sports gambling. A few legislators who are outspoken don’t really have the power to force their colleagues to take action. This means that Texas still lacks what other states have – regulated sports betting online.
Texas is generally a little hardliner in its stance on gambling. It sees it as a source of social harm. While there are legitimate concerns that gambling can negatively affect a certain portion of the population, investors like Mark Cuban argue that casinos could help boost tourism in Texas.
Cuban stated that residents of the state are looking to travel to other parts of the United States, as they can’t find a casino resort near them. Other states will lose revenue as a result. Cuban says it’s more than just domestic spending. Through casino resorts, Texas can also become a destination for residents from other states.
The next legislative session will not discuss casinos or sports betting. If a bill had passed the House and Senate this year, it was hoped that a referendum could be initiated to change the Constitution. This would have allowed residents to have their say on whether sports gambling should be regulated in the state.
In 2024, expect a strong opposition just as well
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is one of the most vocal opponents to online sports betting. He has voiced his displeasure with the concept, and introduced sports betting legislation. Both Lt. Patrick, and Gov. Greg Abbott was recently elected. This means that the chances of capturing the Senate in 2024 remain slim.
Even if legislators were successful in reaching a deal on online sports betting or casino resorts they would still need to convince two men with very strong opinions who have recently been elected to their positions. This is a difficult political task. Online sports betting must wait for the moment.
