With Texas being one of the crown jewels for U.S. sportsbook operators, a gaming coalition is looking to step up its game toward legalization in the new year according to a new press release. Per a recent report, a coalition of professional sports teams and bookmakers plans to take another run at bringing sports betting to Texas during the state’s upcoming legislative session. The Texas Sports Betting Alliance (TSBA), which is made up of operators such as DraftKings and teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, said it is “dead set” on legalizing online sports betting sites in the state. This is of course when lawmakers return to Austin in early January. Per the article, the legislation would be in addition to an already pre-filled bill that proposes to amend the state constitution to provide for legal sports betting.
For this article, SBS will be going over the latest report about wagering in the Silver State and also some other thoughts about Texas betting.
Per one report, the Texas Sports Betting Alliance is “fully focused on legalized mobile sports betting in Texas” which would of course occur at the upcoming legislative session beginning Jan. 10, 2023. This anecdote is from a TSBA spokesperson, Cara Gustafson, who also noted that the organization has not announced its author(s) or its final bill yet. However, she did point out that the bill will be similar to the one they filed in 2021, HB 2070 by Texas Representative, Dan Huberty.
As referenced in one report, previous efforts to provide legal sports betting to Texans have indeed come up short. The unique nature of the state legislature also provides only so much time for lawmakers to get anything done. In Texas, this is the case as the House of Representatives and Senate have their regularly scheduled sittings in odd-numbered years. Even so, online sportsbook operators have been striking partnerships in the state to get their brands recognized in the event of any sports betting launch. For instance, BetMGM announced in May that it was the exclusive sports betting partner of the Houston Astros.
The interest in Texas is because it is one of the crown jewels of U.S. state markets for operators, as it has the second-largest population, behind California and ahead of Florida, two of which also lack legal sports betting. Moreover, if the state ever were to permit event wagering, it would likely be a high priority for many operators, depending on what betting channels are approved. According to one source, there may be changes in attitudes in the Texas state capitol as well, and in the governor’s office, too, towards sports gambling. In the past, Governor Greg Abbott voiced interest during his recent reelection campaign in “professional entertainment options for Texans” although what that looks like remains to be seen.
Continuing on that note, Abbott said “we don’t want slot machines at every corner store, we don’t want Texas to be losing money they need for everyday expenses.” He did point out that if there is a way to create a professional entertainment option for Texans, he would take a look at it in the coming legislative sessions.
Once you are all set and up to speed from the latest round of gaming news in the Lone Star State, SBS has a ton more in store for you when it comes to gaming resources. Of course, for even more news regarding the state, our sports betting in Texas guide goes over a ton of great information about wagering in Texas. Moreover, if you are curious about which payment options might be the best for you, make sure to dive into the SBS payment methods rundown which goes over a variety of ways to make deposits and withdrawals. Finally, if you are maybe curious about more high-stakes wagering, our VIP sports betting sites breakdown is exactly what you need. Here, you can find out if VIP betting is for you and the right fit.
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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