Down in Texas, there has been a huge, historical uptick in sports betting attempts that the state has thwarted. According to figures from the Texas Sports Betting Alliance and another report, 1.14 million attempts were made to place a wager from inside the Lone Star State from Sept. 1 through Oct. 23. All attempts were blocked, but the number of tries was up 68.5% compared to 2022. As noted in one article, this surge, tracked by Geocomply Solutions, coincided with MLB’s American League Championship Series between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros. Thus sparking more than 20,000 attempts during the final three games of the series. Moreover, there were 8,1000 attempts made during Game 6 between the Rangers and Astros followed by nearly another 8,000 for Game 7. As many are aware, the Rangers went on to win the in-state series.
For this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from the latest gaming news in Texas and also some more notes about Lone Star wagering.
Per the same article, with all four major sports (baseball, football, hockey, and basketball) coinciding, data does show online sports betting interest is up, but the Texas legislature is still far from making it legal for the people. One spokesperson, Cara Gustafson, noted that the date does show “that Texans want the freedom to place bets on their teams safely and legally.” However, she would go on to say, “Texas is one of only 12 states that have not legalized sports betting in some form. As the demand for a legal market in Texas continues to grow, we look forward to partnering with fans, teams, and the betting platforms to continue conversations with the Legislature to pass sports betting in 2025.”
According to the same report, among other sources as well, the Texas Sports Betting Alliance is made up of multiple pro sports teams. This includes squads like the Astros, Rangers, Austin FC, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo FC, Houston Dash, Houston Rockets, Houston Texans, and the San Antonio Spurs. Moreover, this group also contains entities like the Texas Motor Speedway and the PGA Tour. Finally, the Alliance is of course rounded out by sportsbooks like the Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook, and FanDuel.
Per the report, the alliance’s push to make sports betting legal in the Lone Star State hasn’t hit home with lawmakers quite yet. HJR 102 became the first piece of legal gambling legislation to make it through the Texas House earlier this year. HB 1942 took a run at advancing as well but came up short. Moreover, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said in May that there wasn’t enough support in the Senate to consider a gambling-related bill and it would not even make it to a vote. Thus killing any legal sports betting momentum for at least another 14 months. This is because the biennial legislature won’t bring new bills to light until at least January 2025.
Once you are all squared away regarding the latest news and information coming from Texas, make sure to check out all the great information available to you at SBS. Of course, for even more insights on the topic at hand, our sports betting in Texas guide has you covered with all the latest news and updates coming from the Lone Star State. Conversely, if you are trying to get the most out of your wagers in the future, make sure to check out the best bonus betting sites rundown which goes over a variety of ways to maximize your bets. This page also contains a catalog of the latest welcome bonus offers. Finally, for those on the go, our best betting apps breakdown covers all of the nuances of mobile betting sites and makes sure you stay on top of the action.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.
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