Dallas-Area Senate Race Becomes a Proxy War Over Gambling Expansion

The Texas Senate District 9 race in Tarrant County, outside Dallas, has become one of the state’s most expensive and politically charged contests, transforming a routine Republican primary into a fight over legalized gambling.

What began as a local contest has become a proxy war between major casino interests and Texas’s dominant social-conservative bloc.

Casino Interests Flood North Texas Race

Campaign finance records reveal that the family of Miriam Adelson, owner of Las Vegas Sands, has contributed more than $1.2 million to former Southlake mayor John Huffman‘s campaign.

A related entity, the Texas Defense PAC, to which Las Vegas Sands has donated over $9 million, has spent over $2 million on advertising in support of Huffman. Meanwhile, approximately 94 percent of his campaign funds originate from donors linked to casinos.

For Sands and allied gaming interests, Huffman represents an opportunity to advance a constitutional amendment that would let Texans vote on the legalization of casinos and sports betting.

Huffman has defended the donations, saying the Adelson family is “long-time conservative donors who believe in Texas’ growth and opportunity.” He also pointed out that they are among the most prominent Republican donors in history.

On his push for gambling expansion, Huffman has said the question should rest with voters: “I believe that Texans can decide for themselves whether or not they want these large destination resorts inside the state.”

Faith Groups & Conservatives Push Back

His opponent, Leigh Wambsganss, a Christian-conservative activist, has framed the contest as a moral battle.

“Those gambling entities have billions and billions of dollars, and they can really do an incredible misinformation campaign,” said Wambsganss.

Her campaign has received donations from Lt. Governor Dan Patrick‘s political network and conservative financiers Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks. Wambsganss has raised approximately $1.6 million. That includes $363,000 from the Texas Senate Leadership Fund, which is aligned with Patrick, who has consistently opposed gambling legislation.

Patrick has repeatedly insisted that there’s no support among Republicans in the Senate, effectively killing any chance for a debate. He’s also insisted that he would block any proposals by Democrats.

Pointing Fingers Over Gambling Ties

The race has since devolved into mutual accusations over who is truly backed by gambling interests.

Wambsganss has accused Huffman of being a “wholly owned subsidiary” of the Las Vegas Sands. She called the millions spent on his behalf “an attempt to buy the Texas Senate.” Wambsganss has claimed gambling-funded PACs are spreading “incredible misinformation” about her record through a deluge of ads.

Huffman has countered by calling Wambsganss a hypocrite. He has noted that in the past, her husband operated slot-machine-like pull-tab games in other states.

“It’s so silly. It’s his deflection to getting caught having over 94 % of his campaign funds coming from one out-of-state gambling interest. That was charitable gaming, which is completely different. It was a fundraiser for the VFW, and it’s really quite humorous,” responded Wambsganss.

The clash included a bizarre incident where an image depicting Wambsganss with an inverted cross circulated online—imagery she denounced as “demonic.” Patrick blamed Huffman’s allies, but Huffman denied involvement, calling it “a disgusting smear.”

Sands’ Big Money Already in Motion

The Tarrant County showdown is just one front in a larger campaign. Las Vegas Sands has positioned itself for the 2026 election cycle through its Texas Sands PAC, which held over $9.3 million in cash in August, and affiliated Texas Defense PAC.

The company, which no longer operates properties in the US, has long eyed an expansion into Texas. Many observers see the two PACs as war chests for advancing gambling expansion across Texas by backing friendly candidates and applying pressure on key legislative committees.

The PACs’ scope extends beyond District 9. Sixteen Senate and 150 House seats are on the 2026 ballot, suggesting Sands’ strategy includes a long-term effort to reshape the state political math on gambling.

If enough friendly candidates, especially in the Senate, win their races, the company could find itself in a better position in the state.

Statewide Climate: Opposition at the Top

Texas remains off-limits for most gambling as resistance remains embedded at the top of the state government.

Patrick has indicated that he will run for reelection, meaning the Senate will likely oppose any new legislation, unless more gambling-friendly candidates win elections.

Meanwhile, all Republican Attorney General candidates, one of whom will likely become the new Texas Attorney General, have pledged to uphold Texas gambling bans.

Still, Governor Greg Abbott has previously signaled openness to limited sports betting.

Gray-Market Gambling Already Thriving

While most regulated gambling remains unavailable in the nation’s second most populous state, unregulated gambling remains widespread.

Sweepstakes casinos continue targeting Texans, who remain able to play despite the state’s gambling bans. Following California’s crackdown, Texas could become a key focus market unless the next attorney general intervenes. Still, there’s a chance that either current Attorney General Ken Paxton or the winning candidate will target sweepstakes casinos, as many other states have done.

Additionally, unregulated gambling halls, disguised as sweepstakes arcades, are widespread. Recently, authorities conducted several raids, including in Galveston County and Bexar County.

These raids highlight Texas’s ongoing contradiction—while lawmakers resist legalization, gray-market gambling continues to flourish in plain sight.