Texas sports betting bill now has Senate companion
A House bill that would give Texas residents the opportunity to vote for or against legal sports betting now has a companion in the Senate.
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa has filed Senate Joint Resolution 65, which would implement a constitutional amendment to allow a statewide vote on sports wagering in November of this year.
The legislation is the companion of Rep. Sam Harless’ House Joint Resolution 134 that was filed last month.
The pair of bills would allow sports team or organizations, Class 1 racetracks or their designees to offer betting on certain sports events.
The vague language does not specify which events would be authorized, nor does it clarify whether legal sports wagering would be done in-person, online or both. No stipulations regarding the number of licensees, a suggested licensing fee or a proposed tax rate are included in the filed version of the bill.
Any potential licensees would have to have existed as of Jan. 1, 2025.
In the Lone Star State’s last legislative session in 2023, a similar proposal passed the state House but faltered in the Senate.
Sports Betting Alliance points to size and potential of Texas market
Sports betting in Texas continues to be a hotly debated issue.
The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) points to the size of the economic potential of the Texas market and the need for regulation, noting that a recent Eilers and Krejcik study found that Texans already wager more than $7 billion annually through unregulated platforms.
The SBA also stresses that recent polling shows that Texans “overwhelmingly” favor legalizing online sports betting. A recent University of Houston study found that 60% of 1,200 people polled in the state supported it. Efforts to legalize sports betting are also supported by every major professional sports team in Texas.
Gov. Abbott won’t be roadblock but Lt. Gov. Patrick disapproves
Earlier this year, Gov. Greg Abbott suggested he would not stand in the way of legal sports betting if lawmakers and the public both approved.
But Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who is also the president of the Texas Senate, has repeatedly stated that he has no interest in calling a vote on the issue unless it is supported by a Republican majority.
A two-thirds majority in both chambers is required to amend Texas’ constitution.
Meanwhile, a separate bill, Rep. Charlie Geren’s HJR 137, proposes an amendment to allow both online sports betting and casino gaming. That proposal has not moved since it was introduced.
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