2 Texas Sports Betting Bills Get First Reads in Senate

• Legal sports betting bills SB 715 and SJR 39 have been read and referred to State Affairs.
• Both bills would regulate sports betting in Texas through a constitutional amendment.
• 69% of Texans support the legalization of online and in-person sports betting.

DALLAS – Senate Bill 715 and Senate Joint Bill 39 have been read and passed onto the Senate Committee on State Affairs. Both bills would legalize sports wagering in Texas, something that major professional sport teams in Texas support.

Texas Senators Lois Kolkhorst (R) and Juan Hinojosa (D) are the authors behind both bills.

SB39 would require a constitutional amendment to pass, leaving it up to the voters to decide if they think that sports wagering should be legal.

According to a poll conducted by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston 69% of Texans support legislation that would legalize online and in-person sports betting in the state.

Prior to advancing to a public vote, the bills must acquire a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.

Bill sponsor Lois Kolkhorst likely believes that a successful majority vote will encourage Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to support legal Texas sports betting.

Many news articles have cited Kolkhorst and Texas Sports Betting Alliance member and former governor Rick Perry as close friends of the Lieutenant Governor.

How Can These Bills Continue to Advance?

Texas professional sports teams are in support of legal sports betting, including the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros, Houston Texans, Houston Rockets, and six more.

Powerful figures have expressed support of the legalization, such as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

The sports betting alliance combines the support of professional sports teams, betting platforms, and fans to push for sports wagering legalization across the United States.

With the support of the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, respected politicians, and the citizens of Texas, SB 715 or SJR 39 could be the bill that finally regulates sports wagering in the Lone Star State.

News tags: Dallas Cowboys | Dallas Mavericks | Dallas Stars | House | Houston Astros | Houston Rockets | Houston Texans | Jerry Jones | Juan Hinojosa | Lois Kolkhorst | Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick | Mark Cuban | Rick Perry | Senate | Sports Betting Alliance | Texas | TX SB 715 | TX SJR 39