Over in Texas, one prominent national gambling outlet is raising questions about ethics at a huge event in the state over a gray-area partnership. Per a recent article, the State Fair of Texas is promoting DraftKings, a “controversial U.S. sports betting brand,” as part of an “historic savings opportunity.” Noted in the article, the State Fair announced earlier this month that the Boston-based DraftKings would cover parking costs for the event, saying it would be “saving you $25 before a big weekend at the Fair begins.” The president of the State Fair of Texas, Mitchell Glieber, weighed in on the sponsorship. “We are always looking for ways to make a day at the State Fair more accessible and affordable for our fairgoers, and we are incredibly grateful to DraftKings for helping us offer free parking for the first time in our history.”
For this report, SBS will be going over the latest updates coming from the Lone Star State, along with a variety of other notes and resources you can only find at SBS.
Glieber would continue in his quote: “This is a great opportunity for folks to save before they even walk through the gates and spend the day experiencing everything the State Fair of Texas has to offer.” However, the report notes that DraftKings Sportsbook is not legal in Texas. Conversely, the article points out the values of the State Fair and how it says it is a family-oriented event that has taken place nearly every year since 1886. The nonprofit’s mission statement says: “The State Fair of Texas celebrates all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment.”
Meanwhile, many public health experts say online sports gambling is highly addictive as presently regulated in numerous states, and they warn it can harm families, including through household insecurity and debt. “Online gambling is a known addictive product, and it is illegal in Texas,” Dr Harry Levant, Director of Gambling Policy at the Public Health Advocacy Institute and co-founder of the platform FFOG, said. “Worse still is the impact on children. Thousands of children enjoy the majesty of the Texas State Fair.” Levant criticized the exposure of children and families to DraftKings branding.
Also covered in the report, Les Bernal, National Director of Stop Predatory Gambling, called for the State Fair to immediately end its relationship with DraftKings. “Texas families are experiencing an epidemic of gambling addiction among young adults and teens, yet one of the companies responsible for it is being allowed to market at one of the most family-oriented events in the state,” Bernal told one outlet.
DraftKings, a major player in the online sports betting industry, has so far been unsuccessful in lobbying for legalization of house-backed betting in Texas. However, in Texas and elsewhere, it offers stock-market style sports betting through its so-called prediction market.
The State Fair’s promotion of DraftKings is not the first time it has been associated with gambling. It has historically promoted the Texas Lottery, and, in 2023, Global Poker, a platform from the casino giant VGW, also sponsored the Fair. According to the State Fair’s official history, horse-race gambling was once its primary source of revenue. However, the State Fair’s latest gambling industry promotion comes amid growing warnings about the public health consequences of online sports betting. In August, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams called sports betting the “new opioid crisis,” warning specifically about the exposure of children and young people to gambling.
Noted before in this space, but recently covered in another report, a new analysis estimates that California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Minnesota represent the five largest untapped markets for regulated online gambling in the U.S. The analysis says California alone is capable of generating roughly $12 billion in annual revenue. Based on models drawn from mature markets like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the report highlights the massive tax revenue being left on the table as these states continue to hold off on full iGaming and sports betting legalization. This leaves residents to utilize potentially other options like offshore sites, sweepstakes casinos, and federally overseen prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.
The report, published Oct. 6 by Cole Rush for Bodog and cited by the Quad City Herald, argues that states without regulated online casino and sports betting are leaving taxable revenues to illegal, offshore, sweepstakes, and prediction market channels. It says California could generate more than $1 billion in annual state tax revenue at a 10% tax rate, while Texas could support a market worth about $9.5 billion.
After you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gaming news coming from the Lone Star State, make sure to check out the excellent array of resources for you only at SBS. Of course, for even news on the region, make sure to check out the Texas betting sites breakdown, which goes over all of the latest gaming news coming from the area and beyond. Meanwhile, the BetOnline sportsbook review guide is a must-read page for eligible patrons to learn about this gaming outlet and whether it makes sense for them and whether they are eligible. Finally, the best bonus betting sites rundown is a must-read page that goes over the available perks like welcome bonuses, whether you are eligible for them, and which ones could be the best fits for you, theoretically.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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