Abbott, who has been the governor since 2015, said during his re-election run in 2021 that he wasn’t opposed to gambling in his state. According to the Texas Tribune, he and former house speaker Dade Phelan went “further” in their support.
The sticking point in the Lone Star State has long been lieutenant governor Dan Patrick. He has consistently said that he will not call a vote on an expansion of gambling in Texas unless there is a Republican majority to support it.
I've said repeatedly there is little to no support for expanding gaming from Senate GOP. I polled members this week. Nothing changed. The senate must focus on issues voters expect us to pass. We don’t waste time on bills without overwhelming GOP support. HB1942 won’t be referred.…
— Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (@LtGovTX) May 13, 2023
There is nothing to indicate that Patrick has changed his position. Because of that, Abbott’s comment is rhetoric and likely nothing more.
Abbott’s comments on the Texas Take podcast come amid a hailstorm of lobbying for a gambling expansion in Texas. Las Vegas Sands and Dallas Mavericks majority owner Miriam Adelson has committed $13 million (£10.4 million/€12.5 million) to convince lawmakers to approve destination resorts in the state.
In addition, the Texas Sports Betting Alliance (TSBA), comprising seven Texas professional sports teams, has also deployed lobbyists across the state. Houston Rockers owner Tilman Fertitta and former Texas governor Rick Perry are lobbying with the TSBA.
Texans want legal gambling
In November, Democratic senator Carol Alvarado filed SJR 16. The constitutional amendment would allow for gambling at destination resorts and legal sports betting and create a state gaming commission. The proposal calls for seven destination casino-resorts and would set a 15% tax rate on casino gross gaming revenue.
And on Tuesday, the the Houston Chronicle also reported that a new University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll revealed that 73% of those polled support destination resorts, 60% support legal online sports betting and 56% support the idea of allowing sportsbooks in Texas professional sports venues.
Twelve hundred adult voters in the state were polled.
Texas voters will get final say
In the interview Tuesday with Texas Take podcast, Abbott said: “I don’t have a problem with online sports betting. The reality is that I’d be shocked if there were not some Texans that do it already.”
Abbott was referring to betting illegally, which happens on offshore sportsbooks and online casino platforms across the US.
The Texas legislature meets only in odd-numbered years. In 2023, a legal gambling bill got through the house, but stalled in the senate. Any expansion of gambling must go to the voters. The legislature really would just make the decision whether or not to put the question on the ballot.
The Texas legislature is in session until 2 June and bills must be introduced by 14 March.
