In Texas, gaming legislation has seen a variety of heated debates across the state, and the latest effort has stalled out once again. Per sources, the Las Vegas Sands has spent years and millions of dollars trying to crack open Texas to casino gambling. After the 2026 primaries, the company is no closer to that goal. In fact, the article notes that, according to at least one political analyst, it is further away than it has ever been. This came when things were looking up, when Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott had publicly voiced his support for expanded gambling in the Lone Star State. Anti-gambling Republican incumbents survived primary challenges funded by Sands-backed political action committees, and the results continue a pattern that has frustrated gambling proponents through multiple legislative sessions.
In this report, SBS will be going over the latest gaming news coming from the Lone Star State, along with an array of the latest news and resources you can only find at SBS.
Per the same article, four Republican representatives who oppose gambling expansion defeated primary challengers this cycle: David Lowe, Terri Leo-Wilson, Mark Dorazio, and Andy Hopper. All four received opposition funding from Texas Sands PAC and Texas Defense PAC, two super PACs backed by Sands owner Miriam Adelson. The margins were not close, though. Kyle Morris, the largest non-incumbent beneficiary of Texas Sands PAC funds at $140,000, lost to Lowe by more than 27 percentage points. Nathan Watkins, who received $110,000 from the PAC in his race against Leo-Wilson, lost by 25 points. Additionally, in an open-seat race for House District 94 in Tarrant County, anti-gambling activist Cheryl Bean won the Republican nomination despite opposition from both Sands-affiliated PACs. The losses follow a November special election in which former Southlake Mayor John Huffman failed to advance to a runoff after receiving $1.2 million from Texas Sands PAC.
Also noted in the report, the primary results reflect a broader legislative trend. Casino and sports gambling proposals have failed to advance in Texas across multiple sessions. In 2023, for example, a sports betting measure passed the House but stalled in the Senate. Two years later, neither casino nor sports gambling legislation gained traction in the lower chamber despite what analysts described as the heaviest lobbying expenditure in state history on the issue.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who leads the Texas Senate, has been consistent in his opposition. He stated in both the 2023 and 2025 sessions that the Senate would not take up pro-gambling legislation. His primary victory securing the Republican nomination for a fourth four-year term as lieutenant governor signals that position is unlikely to change.
Rice University political science fellow Mark Jones put it plainly in the report and also in a regional Texas outlet: “If the prize is destination resort casinos in Texas, Las Vegas Sands is now further away from it in 2026 than they were in 2023.” Despite the setbacks, Las Vegas Sands is not signaling retreat. Texas Sands PAC released a statement vowing to continue backing candidates who support legalization. The group framed its long-term strategy as a patient investment in changing the political landscape. Andy Abbod, Sands’ senior vice president of government relations, emphasized the company’s commitment to a business-friendly Texas environment. He pointed to the PAC’s record of protecting incumbents who received its support, even if those victories do not directly advance the casino agenda.
In an interesting update, Southern Methodist University political science professor Matthew Wilson acknowledged the disconnect. “They’ve been successful in protecting a lot of incumbents, but that does not move the needle on the issues they care about,” Wilson said while also noting why Sands continues to invest regardless. “If Texas does at some point open up to casino gambling, there will be an enormous amount of money to be made in the state.”
Moreover, the article notes certain additional headwinds for the industry as a whole. For instance, the policy environment in Texas has grown more complicated beyond just legislative resistance. Per sources, the Texas Lottery Commission was abolished this year following an $83 million jackpot controversy involving an online courier. Some conservative lawmakers have also cited recent NBA gambling-related indictments as a cause for concern about expanded gambling in the state. Finally, public polling on the matter continues to show majority support among Texans for legalizing casinos and sports betting, though Republican primary voters remain divided. In any case, any legalization measure would require passage of a constitutional amendment, meaning voters would ultimately decide the question.
Once you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gambling notes coming from the Lone Star State, make sure to peruse the excellent array of information available to you at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the state in this report, the Texas online betting sites guide is a fantastic resource to learn more about the latest gaming updates from the region. Additionally, for those who are interested and eligible, the BetOnline sportsbook review rundown is a must-read page that details a ton of great info. This includes topics like the latest and greatest bonuses at the site if you qualify, and a ton of fantastic details. Finally, for those eligible and on the go, the best betting apps breakdown is a great page that goes over the perks of mobile wagering and what it might mean for you.
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.
Read Chris's ProfileAsk Chris about this guide: