Gov. Abbott Considers Allowing Voters to Decide the Future of Sports Betting in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – The Super Bowl is just around the corner, and many are gearing up to place their bets on the big game.

Governor Greg Abbott recently spoke with FOX4 and expressed his openness to letting citizens vote on sports betting in Texas. He mentioned that expanding online gaming could benefit the state but emphasized the need for proper controls.

Abbott stated, “We need to ensure that those with limited income aren’t put in a position to lose money they need for essentials like food and clothing.” He believes any expansion of gaming should protect vulnerable individuals from financial hardship.

This isn’t the first time sports betting has been discussed in Texas. Last legislative session, Representatives Charlie Geren and Jeff Leach introduced bills related to casinos and online betting. These bills received bipartisan support but ultimately stalled in the Senate.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has made it clear he won’t support bills in the Senate unless they have majority approval from Republicans. As the leader of the Texas Senate, Patrick plays a crucial role in which proposals move forward.

For any gambling regulation changes to take place, Texas would require a constitutional amendment. This means both chambers of the legislature would need to agree before the issue can go to voters. Recently, Senator Carol Alvarado filed a resolution aiming to legalize casino gaming and sports betting, with the goal of boosting the economy, creating jobs, and funding education and safety programs.

Yet, there are many unknowns in this discussion. It’s unclear what has prompted Abbott’s shift toward supporting sports betting. Interestingly, the new ownership group of the Dallas Mavericks, which is heavily involved in the casino industry, has made significant campaign contributions to Abbott.

Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story and how it may shape the future of gaming in Texas.

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