In the Lone Star State, a variety of Texans are flocking to neighboring states with legalized betting which puts Texas in a predicament of losing potential unrealized tax revenues. Per a recent update and as many readers of this space are aware, gambling laws in Texas are one of the toughest in the country as casino gambling and sports betting aren’t permitted. There are a handful of casinos operated by Native American tribes, but widespread gambling isn’t permitted. Despite its tough stance on gambling, Texas is certainly losing millions in potential tax revenue, especially considering that some of its residents regularly go to nearby states to engage in legal wagering and casino gambling. One such case is Lake Charles in Louisiana, which has become a must-go location for many Texans who want to gamble at a casino or place a sports wager.
In this report, SBS will be exploring the latest updates coming from the Lone Star State as it pertains to gaming news in the region and beyond.
Per the same article, a newly released report from the state suggests that the prohibition of gambling in Texas results in an estimated $300 million in tax revenue lost to other states. This is also according to a study by a gaming firm, which estimated the figure based on a proposed 10% tax rate. Not counting bets and money gambled by Texans in Louisiana, the new study pointed to billions in wagers on an annual basis. Also noted in the gaming report, Texans wager approximately $8 billion annually. The figure also points to the high interest in gambling services by Texas residents and their willingness to even visit nearby states in order to engage in the activity legally. Despite previous efforts, the state has yet to expand its gambling sector, leaving some with the only option to visit a neighboring state.
Welcoming visitors from Texas isn’t a surprise for the casino operators in Louisiana and Lake Charles in particular. In fact, licensed gambling operators in the area have been continuously improving and expanding their offerings, while Texas residents are certainly among their daily visitors. Last month, Harold Rowland, L’Auberge Casino’s vice president and general manager, celebrated the opening of the venue’s new ESPN Bet sportsbook. “We invite guests from Louisiana, Texas, and beyond to enjoy the premier sportsbook experience in Southwest Louisiana,” he said at the time.
L’Auberge Casino has two venues in Louisiana, one in Lake Charles and another one in Baton Rouge and it is also one out of more than a dozen retail casinos in the state. Besides casino gambling and retail sports betting, Louisiana offers mobile betting options as well. Recognizable betting companies, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars have already established their footprint in the state, catering not only to customers in Louisiana but to visitors from Texas too.
DraftKings, one of the largest sports betting companies in the world, was well aware of Lake Charles’ allure when the company opened a 12,000-square-foot sportsbook inside Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel and Casino. Parker Winslow, a senior manager for DraftKings, said the location is as good as any in one article. “Having the great Louisiana sports fans, and then the Texas border right there too, makes for a great market for DraftKings,” he said.
Noted in the same article, DraftKings isn’t the only operation to bring an upgraded experience to bettors in Lake Charles. The new ESPN BET sportsbook unveiled last month includes 36 televisions and a massive 24-foot video wall. The refreshed facility features three over-the-counter sports betting terminals, 15 sports betting kiosks, four slot machines, six video poker machines, plus both electronic and traditional table games. Horseshoe Casino Lake Charles opened in 2022, replacing the former Isle of Capri Lake Charles, which was forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic and damage from Hurricane Laura.
Additionally, in a nod to Texas bettor, Houston’s Mattress Mack made the first bet at the new casino. The resort offers nearly 1,000 slot machines, 82 tables, a FanDuel sportsbook, and more than 250 hotel rooms. In Livingston, Naskila Entertainment Center offers video bingo and electronic gaming options, operating on the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation through the authority given by the federal government and the National Indian Gaming Commission. All revenue from the entertainment center is kept by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. As some readers are aware, gambling legalization in Texas would require making an amendment to the state’s constitution. Such amendments need approval from two-thirds of the House and Senate, with a majority of Texans on the ballot.
Once you are all squared away in relation to the latest gaming news and notes coming from Texas, make sure to check out the awesome array of info for you at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the state covered here, make sure to peruse the sports betting in Texas guide which goes over all of the latest updates coming from the Lone Star State for gaming. Conversely, for those interested in diversifying their deposit and withdrawal options, make sure to check out the payment methods rundown. On this page, you can find more information pertaining to new deposit and withdrawal options available to you from cryptocurrencies to more traditional banking routes. Finally, for those interested in some higher-stakes wagering, look no further than the VIP sports betting sites breakdown which goes over the perks of VIP wagering and if it makes sense 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.
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