Rep. Sam Harless has submitted a bill to the Texas House that would legalize sports betting in a state where gambling expansion is a tough sell.
Harless’ bill would allow a small group of sports-related entities to obtain licenses and offer sports betting, including professional sports teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Texans.
The bill is the latest attempt to expand legal gambling in Texas. Past efforts have failed for various reasons, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s outspoken opposition.
Inside Texas’ newest sports betting bill
Harless’ bill would allow the following organizations to obtain a sports betting license:
- A sports team in existence on Jan. 1, 2025.
- A sports organization that held sanctioned annual pro golf tournaments in the state before Jan. 1, 2025 (presumably the PGA Tour).
- Class I horse tracks in operation on Jan. 1, 2025.
- A “designee” of any of the above organizations or tracks
That’s as far as the bill goes. It lacks information about taxation, licensing, or any other key aspects typically seen in sports betting bills.
Sportsbooks, teams, and Texans favor sports betting
The bill has drawn the support of the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, which represents multiple major sports betting operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel, as well as several pro sports franchises.
“Right now, unregulated sports betting is happening across the state, putting consumers at risk and costing Texas millions in lost tax revenue every year. It’s time to let Texans take control and decide if they want a strong, regulatory framework for sports betting — just like the 39 states that have already moved forward.” — Texas Sports Betting Alliance Spokesperson Karina King
Additionally, a survey conducted by the University of Houston earlier this year found the following levels of support among those it polled:
- 60% support legal online sports betting
- 56% want sportsbooks at pro sports stadiums and arenas
- 73% want destination resort casinos
Sports betting bill faces tough road
Despite the above support of sports betting in Texas, key lawmakers in the state remain opposed. Even if Harless’ bill can get the required 100 votes in the House, it would then move to a Republican-heavy Senate that shot down a similar bill in 2023.
The main roadblock in the Senate is Patrick, who decides what the Senate votes on. As a critic of sports betting, he appears decidedly unlikely to let Harless’ bill on the floor for a vote, which is how the previous bill ended.
Patrick has repeatedly said he won’t allow a vote if there isn’t enough Republican support. That support may not arrive for some time, as the Texas GOP’s official platform is anti-gaming.
“We oppose any expansion of gambling, including legalized casino gambling,” the Texas GOP’s platform paper reads. “We oppose and call for a veto of any budget that relies on expansion of legalized casino gambling of any type or size, whether as a standalone business or partnered with any other business or resort, as a method of finance.”
