The owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, has always thought big when it comes to business and his NBA team is no exception. The billionaire has recently floated an idea about a new home for the Mavericks.
They are currently housed at American Airlines Arena, where they have played since 2001. They share the building with the town’s NHL team, the Dallas Stars.
Cuban wants more than a standard arena for his team. He has designs on a Las Vegas-style resort and casino somewhere in the Dallas Metro area.
“My goal, and we’d partner with Las Vegas Sands, is when we build a new arena, it’ll be in the middle of a resort and casino,” Cuban told the Dallas Morning News. “That’s the mission.”
That would be great if for only one small detail—gambling and sports betting are not legal in Texas.
It’s not for lack of effort. Some state legislators have been trying to get both on the ballot for years but have been met with resistance from fellow lawmakers, including Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who is a staunch opponent of gambling. While Texas Governor Greg Abbott said during his recent re-election campaign that he could expanded gaming in Texas, the path is long and arduous.
Now, Texas State Senator Carol Alvarado, who represents Houston, has filed a resolution that would license four casinos and create a Texas Gaming Commission that would oversee sports betting.
Alvarado told the Dallas Morning News that she was excited to have Cuban as part of the process.
“I welcome him to the arena of this discussion,” Alvarado said. “Having somebody like Mark Cuban on board certainly gives a boost of enthusiasm to the effort. Hopefully, he’ll use his clout and resources to help get us across the finish line.”
Cuban realizes the political process is a tricky one.
“Obviously, it’s got to pass the legislature, and I’m not the politician to know all the elements there. But you’re talking about billions of dollars in revenue,” Cuban said. “And it won’t be one of those things, I don’t think, where you ask the city and state for concessions. It’s more about, ‘This is going to generate a ton of revenue.’”
