After their initial campaign in 2021 to legalize casinos in Texas failed, advocates released new legislation on Friday that makes a greater effort to cooperate with horse-racing businesses around the state.
House Joint Resolution 97, introduced by Republican Fort Worth state representative Charlie Geren, would put the question of whether to allow casinos to the voters in November’s general election. Seven luxury “destination resorts” around the state of Texas, including two in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and two in the Houston area, would be possible if gaming corporations were granted licenses to do so.
Gaming giant Las Vegas Sands, which made its initial foray into Austin two years ago in a high-profile effort to establish casinos, has endorsed Geren’s measure. Despite spending millions of dollars on lobbying and TV commercials, Sands was only able to win a committee hearing on its measure in the House.
Casinos should be allowed in Texas
With an established presence in Texas, racetrack operators have significant sway, and Sands has returned with a proposition designed to win their support. A second-tier license for “restricted casino gaming” was available to potential applicants under the 2021 law. With the new plan, they would be on par with everyone else, since the existing licensing system would be scrapped in favor of an open bidding process for the construction of full-fledged destination resorts.
According to online casino Korea sources, Abboud said that the new plan had the potential to “truly reinvigorate the thoroughbred horse-racing business in Texas,” which would benefit not just the tourist sector but also agriculture by encouraging more horse breeding.
Undoubtedly, the legislative outlook for enlarged gaming remains uncertain. Governor Greg Abbott and state House Speaker Dade Phelan have become staunch supporters, while Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has remained unconvinced. In addition, proponents of legalizing casinos face opposition from those who want legalizing sports betting, a less radical extension of gambling.
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