Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS), through its Texas Destination Resort Alliance (TDRA), recently launched an online campaign asking Texans to sign a petition urging lawmakers to legalize casino gambling.
According to the petition, the TDRA is “fighting to bring luxury resorts, top-of-the-line entertainment, fine dining and more to Texans’ backyards” by “expanding casino-style gambling” in the state.
LVS, which purchased a controlling share of the Dallas Mavericks in 2023, formed the TDRA in 2022, the same year it formed Texas Sands, a political action committee armed with $2 million to lobby for casino gaming. The company hopes to build up to five 5-star casino hotels in Texas.
Prior to the Mavs purchase, LVS acquired 108 acres near Texas Stadium in Irving, leading to rumors the land would be developed for a casino resort. With its purchase of the Mavericks, the Adelson family, LVS’ main shareholders, would realize a secure market position upon the legalization of casino gambling in Texas.
On its website, the petition states, “Texans currently spend several billion dollars a year on gaming in neighboring states such as Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma. We want to keep that money in Texas to fund schools that educate the next generation of leaders. To create new well-paying jobs to sustain Texas families. To bring resorts that attract international and out-of-state tourism, the largest conventions, the biggest names in the entertainment world and destination shopping to Texas that will cascade benefits throughout our economy and revitalize communities across the Lone Star State when we need it the most.”
Any gambling bill would require approval of two-thirds of the House and Senate and then would need a majority of the vote in a statewide referendum.
Last year, two gambling-related bills failed in the state legislature. House Joint Resolution 155 would have legalized wagering on existing betting sites, and state Rep. Charlie Geren’s HJR 97 would have legalized new casinos. Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick has said he questions whether Republican senators would support casino gambling legislation.
But Dallas City Councilman Chad West told Inside Texas Politics, “I would be shocked if it doesn’t happen this [next] session in some fashion or another. I would guess the state does something. Maybe not full legalization. Maybe just a few licenses here and there to sort of test out the waters. But I foresee something happening in this next session.”
