Texas Lawmakers Take New Shot at Regulated Gambling

A new Texas bill could finally bring casinos and sports betting to the Lone Star State. After several previous attempts to establish regulated gambling failed, this latest proposal could go the extra mile, with shifts in the political landscape since the recent midterm elections. However, this effort must still overcome significant legislative hurdles and will require public approval. The Measure Must Secure Considerable Support Texas state rep. Charlie Green is proposing a constitutional amendment to legalize gambling within the state. Voters may decide whether to give the Legislature the power to authorize and strictly regulate casino gambling and sports wagering. If the measure secures more than 50% of the popular vote, Texas casinos and sports betting could become a reality. Green’s measure envisions up to 10 licensed casinos within the state. Licenses would last 40 years and would only allow gambling in these select physical locations. The proposal also includes planned negotiations with Texas tribes to create gambling compacts, potentially allowing them to create casinos on tribal land, mirroring similar agreements in other states. While the amendment is unclear about whether sports betting will be limited to casinos, it proposes a strict licensing regime. Operators would also pay up to 15% in taxes, alongside licensing fees and gambling-specific levies. Notably, this proposal does not mention iGaming or online sports betting. However, lifting the restrictions on physical casinos could open the door for later additions. A Fresh House May Give the Amendment a Chance Before reaching a popular vote, Green’s proposal must first secure two-thirds support in both chambers of the Texas legislature. While this may seem like a tall order, recent developments after the midterm elections mean that regulated gambling has its best chance in years. With Democrats preparing to take control of the House, the shifting status quo could give the proposal the chance it needs. Previous attempts to legalize gambling in Texas quickly lost momentum after legislative resistance. Governor Greg Abbott hesitated to endorse casino expansion, reflecting concerns about addiction, sports integrity, and broader social consequences. Even the promise of gaming revenue could not overcome the two-thirds barrier. Meanwhile, high-profile operators continue to lobby for gambling expansion. The rise of prediction markets could also indirectly support gambling expansion. In September, Texas senators debated how to deal with prediction platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. With some lawmakers considering state-level regulation, gambling laws could also come under consideration. The next few weeks will show if Green’s suggestion gathers the necessary support or joins Texas’ previous failed gambling proposals.