Casinos look at the largest state in the union as the biggest prize left unclaimed.
Andy Abboud, senior vice president of government relations for the Las Vegas Sands Corp told the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association last week: “Texas is considered the biggest plum still waiting to be out there in the history of hospitality and gaming.”
It’s in a league with Japan, Singapore and Brazil as untapped gaming markets, he said. He added that the Lone Star State is viewed as a world destination, “and one of the top potential markets in the entire world.”
Next month the Texas legislature will begin its session. Texas has so far resisted all attempts to legalize gaming. But it faces stern times and the need to raise revenue as oil prices have plummeted and the pandemic has beaten the state’s economy until it is reeling.
Some lawmakers would like to legalize both casinos and marijuana to improve the state’s revenues. They also employ the time-honored argument that neighboring states are taking money from Texas residents who cross the state line to play at their casinos.
The state does have one Indian casino in Eagle Pass and allows horseracing and dog tracks.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is a committed foe of gaming and would probably veto any bills trying to change the status quo.
On the other hand the governor has talked about the possibility of a casino resort near Houston. He said at one time, “We need existing tourism infrastructure to blend in and to create a symbiotic relationship between what we built and what is already there.”
