Texas Governor Greg Abbott signaled his support for legalized sports betting in the state.
Abbott appeared on the Houston Chronicle’s “Texas Take” podcast: “I don’t have a problem with online sports betting.”
He continued “The reality is that I’d be shocked if there were not some Texans that do it already. It’s a widespread 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.”
The Texas Sports Betting Alliance welcomed the Governor’s comments. Jeremy Kudon, President of the Sports Betting Alliance, said: “We appreciate the governor’s comments because this echoes what we’re hearing from Texans.”
Kudon continued: “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.”
Sports Teams and Betting Giants Push for Legalization
The Betting Alliance is composed of state sports teams and large online operators. The Dallas Cowboys, the Houston Astros, and the San Antonio Spurs have allied with gambling behemoths DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel.
A study released by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston supported Abbot’s comments.
Public Opinion: What Texans Think About Legal Betting
73% of all Texans responded positively to the legalization and operation of destination resort casinos in the Lone Star State. Politically, slightly more Democrats (74%) supported them than Republicans (72%).
Regarding online sports betting in Texas, 60% of Texans support the practice’s legalization. This support was more heavily weighted towards Democrats, with 64% of Democrats supporting the industry compared to 59% of Republicans.
Lower support still exists for the legalization of retail sportsbooks in the stadiums and arenas of Texas’ professional sports teams. 56% of Texans would support the brick-and-mortar locations. 59% of Democrats would support the measure, compared to 55% of Republicans.
Renée Cross, Researcher and Senior Executive Director of the Hobby School, commented: “Texas is surrounded by states which already allow casino gambling, and several have legalized or eased marijuana regulations. Proponents of both legalized gambling and legalized marijuana argue Texans are taking money that could be spent here out of state.”
For the Lone Star State to legalize sports betting, the Legislature would have to be amended by a two-thirds vote of both chambers, and then the general public would go to the ballot.
In 2023, Rep. Jeff Leach’s bill passed through the House with an 82-51 vote. It was never picked up by the Senate, where it subsequently died. Senator Lois Kolkhorst proposed a similar bill last year but failed to gain traction. This year, Sen. Alvarado submitted a bill to permit casinos and sports wagering, and the outcome has yet to be decided.
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