The Texas House of Representatives has voted in favor of a measure that would allow voters to decide on the legalization of sports betting in the Lone Star State.
House Joint Resolution 102 required 100 votes to pass and just made it through with 101 votes. The resolution will now head to the Senate for final approval.
A second resolution, HJR 155, which will see casino resorts established in the state, and which local tribes are in opposition to, was due for consideration on Thursday. However, the vote on this was delayed until noon today (Friday May 12th) due to delays in the vote on the first resolution.
Even if both resolutions make it to the Senate, there’s no guarantee that they will be sent to the Governor’s desk. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said time and time again that there won’t be enough support among senators for Texas sports betting or legal casino gambling to pass. Friday is the deadline for the House to give final passage to both bills.
The author of the sports-betting legislation, Rep. Jeff Leach told the House on Thursday that many Texans are already betting on sports illegally.
“Every single one of them are criminals … under Texas law, and I believe that we should pass this bill to let them come out of the shadows and to carefully and safely regulate this.”
Following his speech, at least five members changed their votes to give the resolution its two thirds majority.
The casino bill’s first vote on Wednesday saw it approved by a vote of 92-51, but this falls short of the two thirds majority by some way.
Several House members reiterated that their ‘No’ votes on the casino bill were based on the fact that it was rushed through the committee process. Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer was opposed to both proposals, saying the process was rushed.
“I’m not a ‘no,’ I’m a ‘not now. Let’s spend some time and get it right.”
However, Rep. Yvonne Davis who co-authored the casino proposal, said
“It’s not perfect probably at this point, but as we do with legislation every day, we continue to perfect it.”
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.