Governor Greg Abbott revealed willingness to let voters decide on sports betting legalization in Texas, while expressing concerns about potential negative impacts on individuals with limited incomes. He emphasized the need for safeguards to prevent gambling addiction and financial hardship. This shift in stance comes amid renewed interest in expanding gaming options in the state.
The Super Bowl is approaching, and many people are planning to place bets on the big game. Governor Greg Abbott sat down with FOX4's Steven Dial and expressed openness to 'letting the voters decide' on sports betting. 'What I believe about online gaming is that it would expand gaming in the state of Texas,' Abbott stated. 'It requires a constitutional amendment. What I'm in favor of is giving it to the voters and letting the voters decide.
' However, does this shift in stance on sports betting indicate a change in the governor's views on bringing casinos to Texas? 'I want to make sure that every mom and pop, or grandma, or someone who doesn't have a lot of income, is not able to go down to a local 7-Eleven or convenience store and lose money they need to be spending on food, clothing, or other essential items,' Abbott said. 'And so, we need to make sure that if there is anything like this that happens, that expands gaming, that we're not leading people down a pathway of poverty. So there need to be some guardrails put on it, even if it is presented to the voters.'During the last legislative session, Representatives Charlie Geren and Jeff Leach each introduced bills in the house on casinos and online betting, which garnered support from both Republicans and Democrats. These bills ultimately stalled in the Senate. Could the situation be different this time? Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick stated that he will not advance bills in the Senate that lack majority Republican support. As the head of the Texas Senate, Patrick has the authority to determine which bills reach the Senate floor. Legalizing gambling in the state would necessitate a constitutional amendment, demanding a two-thirds vote in each chamber before it could be put to a public vote.Senator Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) filed Senate Joint Resolution 16 to propose an amendment that would 'foster economic development and job growth, provide tax relief and funding for education and public safety programs, and reform and support the horse racing industry by authorizing casino gaming at destination resorts, authorizing sports wagering, and creating the Texas Gaming Commission to regulate casino gaming and sports wagering; requiring a license to conduct casino gaming; requiring the imposition of a casino gaming tax, sports wagering tax, and license application fees.' The reasons behind Abbott's evolving stance on sports betting and gambling remain unclear. However, it's noteworthy that the newly acquired ownership group for the Dallas Mavericks has prominent connections to the casino industry and made a substantial campaign contribution to Abbott. You can watch the full interview with Governor Greg Abbott after the Super Bowl on Texas: The Issue Is
SPORTS BETTING GAMBLING GOVERNOR ABBOTT TEXAS LEGISLATURE CASINOS
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