Texans spend .37 billion out of state each year
Oklahoma’s Indian casinos, especially those along the Texas border, have struck it rich betting on the Lone Star State’s appetite for gambling. Its horse industry has prospered as well. Now some are speculating that Texas could finally legalize gambling in an effort to save the ponies.
According to the Fort Bend News, Texas breeders registered 300 foals for horse racing in 2013, down from more than 4,000 at the industry’s peak. The Texas Racing Commission reports that attendance at racing events dropped 12 percent in 2011, and bets declined 23 percent. Purses also steadily decreased in the five preceding years. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s horse industry is on the upswing, and brought in $3.6 billion in 2012.
“How can we compete with surrounding states, where the horses can compete for two to three times the amount of money in Louisiana or Oklahoma?” said Andrea Young, CEO of Sam Houston Race Park. “Absent any new revenue, the way we were going to do that was cutting our supply, allowing us to have more revenue to spread over shorter times.”
Texans spend about $4.37 billion a year on gambling in neighboring states, the News reported. Of that, $3.2 billion of which was spent on gambling. The rest was spent on restaurants, hotels and gas.
A group called Let Texans Decide has been promoting a referendum that would allow voters to decide if Texas should go for gaming. The group last lobbied for a ballot question during the November 2013 election. It failed to make progress due to political opposition. But with new leadership in the wings, the group is hoping it can succeed.
“We’ve never had the opportunity, as legislatures in the state of Texas, to cast a vote allowing the people of Texas to vote,” said state Rep. Allen Fletcher. “I’ve heard many times that people have said they want this in our area, and I’ve always said it’s your decision. If I get the opportunity to put it on the ballot, I will.”
The Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce also supports a referendum giving citizens the choice.
“Last session this chamber signed a resolution in favor of considering video slots at this venue,” said chamber President Barbara Thomason. “Our statement said we were not interested in seeing the footprint of gambling extend beyond the current situation, but we felt we needed the chance to vote on video terminals.”
