In 2021, the Las Vegas Sands pushed Texas lawmakers to consider a legal casinos industry. That effort was a dud, and the legislature will not meet again for two years.
This year the company has formed a political action committee, funded by $2.3 million. A quarter of that war chest has already been spent supporting dozens of state Senate and House candidates in primaries—candidates the Sands hopes will support its project. It gave $75,000 to Governor Greg Abbott, who was just won his primary battle for the Republican nomination.
Funding the PAC is Miriam Adelson, widow of the late Sheldon Adelson, former Sands CEO, who initiated the casino push before he died. Both Adelsons were big Republican party donors.
Matt Hirsch, a spokesman for Sands PAC, stated: “We appreciate the willingness of these legislators to engage in an open dialogue about the tremendous economic benefits, including the tens of thousands of jobs, these destination resorts will create for Texas.” Hirsch added, “We will continue to actively engage local and state leaders over the course of this year and be prepared to come back next session ready to pass legislation that will ultimately allow voters to decide on this issue.”
