As covered in this space on a handful of occasions, the most recent Texas sports betting push recently met its end in the state Senate earlier this month after making some historical progress. Per one report, legislation to put the matter of sports wagering before Texas voters faltered upon advancing to the state Senate. However, former Lone Star Governor Rick Perry remains optimistic the issue could be successful in 2025 per various sources. Now a spokesperson for the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, Perry issued a statement earlier this month “lauding State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) for their work on sports wagering legislation.”
For this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from the latest sports betting news in Texas and also more notes about Lone Star wagering.
As referenced in one article, Perry, also the former Department of Energy secretary, highlighted the fact that the Texas State House voted 101-42 in favor of allowing voters to have a say on the issue. That vote, which took place in May, made Perry say Texas “made history” with that vote and in a statement said, “We know that Texans want the freedom and liberty our great state is known for, to participate in sports betting legally and safely.” He would go on to add “We listened to the people and put forth legislation that would combat the $6 billion illegal market with commonsense regulation and protect Texans without growing the size and scope of the government.”
With that in mind though, some research firms contend Perry has overstated the “size of the black market” for sports wagering in Texas. As the second-largest state in the country, it likely has a substantial illegal sports betting market. Moreover, the size of the state also makes it one of the most coveted jurisdictions for regulated sportsbook operators per multiple reports.
According to the same report, while various polls confirmed Texas voters favor, in some cases resoundingly so, the addition of casinos and mobile sports betting in the state, the failures of related legislation aren’t “surprising.” Entering 2023 for instance, industry observers, research firms, and Texas political observers expected that while the matter of sports betting could gain momentum this year, it potentially faces betters in 2025. Likewise, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was steadfast in opposition to gaming expansion and consistently said the votes were not there in the Senate to advance sports wagering.
Perry remains committed to getting sports betting across the finish line in the Lone State State. In a statement, he said that “Texans deserve the chance to vote on legalizing sports betting, and we will continue to work to put this initiative on the ballot in 2025.” It is possible that with 2025 being the year after a presidential election year, sports betting could find an easier road to passage. However, the odds of success rest heavily on the political environment, namely, Patrick’s ambitions to seek higher office in 2026. If he is aiming for a higher office, he could opt to solidify his conservative base by again standing in the way of sports betting in 2025.
Once you are all squared away regarding the latest wagering news from the Lone Star State, make sure to tap into the variety of resources that SBS has put together for you. Of course, if you would like more information on the topic at hand, our sports betting in Texas guide has you covered with the latest betting and wagering news coming from the state. On a separate note, for those looking to maximize their wagers, the SBS best bonus betting sites breakdown is a must-read page. Here you can find a catalog of the latest and greatest welcome bonus offers available. On a final note, given the size of the state of Texas, a great page to familiarize yourself with is the SBS best betting apps rundown which covers all the nuances of mobile betting. With this guide, you can find out why you should bet with your mobile device or if it is the right fit for you.
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 and basketball across the country. 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. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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