During the most recent legislative session, two sports betting bills made it out of a Texas House committee for the first time. The move kindled a spark of hope that at some point in the near future, a piece of legislation may clear the full House and the Senate.
Perhaps in 2025? Hope doesn’t extend that much.
Dallas Stars President Brad Alberts told Legal Sports Report he puts the odds of passage next year at “50-50 at best.”
“The same challenges exist, which is a resistant Senate, led by the Lieutenant Governor (Dan Patrick). And I don’t think that that has changed. Obviously, those same personalities are still in office,” Alberts said. “I think the momentum of last session, getting it through the House is positive. But you still have to get it through the Senate.”
Patrick, who is anti-gambling, represents the biggest obstacle.
Patrick aside, supporters need to get a dozen Republican Senators to say yes, an industry source told LSR. “Patrick has to respond to the interest of the caucus. And it’s going to be incumbent upon not only the lobbyists but the public in Texas that wants sports betting to engage with those Senators and tell them this is something that they want.”
Another industry insider believes the election of Donald Trump could be the key to moving forward. Trump could bring Patrick into his cabinet, allowing for a new Senate leader who may not possess an anti-gaming bent.
“Lobbyists have to get the Senate, and the Senators behind this, instead of worrying about the House,” Alberts told LSR. “I think they have to spend a lot of time … the Lieutenant Governor needs to hear from his base, which is the Republican Senators, that this is something they want. If he doesn’t, I don’t believe that he’s going to be persuaded to be in favor of it.”
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins and BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt see a rosier path.
“(A sports betting bill) got through one chamber last year. The Texas legislature doesn’t meet in 2024 so we’re really gearing up for 2025,” Robins said during a May earnings call.
“California is not in our near-term model, Texas is,” Greenblatt said in March at the iGaming Next Conference.
Then again, Caesars CEO Tom Reeg said he doesn’t hold out much confidence.
“Given the political environment there and a legislature that meets every other year, I’m not optimistic on Texas anytime soon,” Reeg said at the East Coast Gaming Congress in April.
Another glimmer of hope rests with the pro teams.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has pushed the hardest for sports betting.
The Stars (ousted in the Western Conference Final) and Mavericks (NBA Finals) made deep playoff runs, while Texans are left to seek out local bookies or illegal offshore sites to place their wagers.
“I think it’s high,” said Alberts, who would be in favor of adding an in-person sportsbook if legislation allows.
“I think all the teams that have really been part of the Sports Betting Alliance now for 4-5 years — two sessions — I think if you asked every one of the presidents they would say, ‘Yeah, we want to try to get this done.’ We certainly see it as an economic opportunity for our business, but also a fan engagement (opportunity).
“If this thing becomes more real, the organization will embrace and adopt as kind of a compliance issue. We will certainly talk to the team about each year.”
