What is Going on with Texas Sports Betting Bills?

• A casino gambling bill and an online sports betting bill have both been approved by a Texas House Committee.
• Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is strongly against Texas sports betting legalization.

AUSTIN, Texas – Two bills that could potentially legalize sports betting were approved by the Texas House State Affairs committee. Although this may seem like exciting news, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has already foreshadowed that failure is inevitable for the Texas sports betting bills.

House Bill 1942 and House Bill 2843 were approved by a vote of 9-3 without discussion. Both bills have a long road to go for legalization since they would require an amendment to the Texas constitution. They need to be passed in both chambers, most notably a reluctant Senate, along with Texas voter approval.

TX HB 1942 and HJR 102 proposed by Republican Representative Jeff Leach, would legalize online sports betting in the Lone Star State. Both bills failed to receive an official vote during the Texas House State Affairs Committee meeting just over a week ago but are now getting their opportunity to pass through the legislative process.

Fellow Republican House member Charlie Geren is responsible for House Joint Resolution 155, which is enabled by John Kuempel’s TX HB 2843 that would legalize sports betting at “destination resort” casinos throughout the state.

The two major bills have advanced to the House Calendars committee, their last stop before heading to the House floor if approved. From there, the future is bleak for legal Texas sports betting.

Due to each bill requiring a constitutional amendment, a two-third majority is required in each chamber. Also, Lt. Gov Dan Patrick is vocally against the idea of legal sports betting in Texas, and explicitly stated on The Mark Davis show that there aren’t enough votes in the Senate to pass any sports betting bills.

To receive a voting opportunity on the Senate floor, 15 or 16 Republican senators would need to vote in favor of the bill. Unless all Republican senators are on board, the bill would be considered a “Democrat” led bill. Patrick claims that sports betting bills are receiving virtually no support in the Senate and may receive one or two votes.

The approval of legal sports betting bills in Texas House committees doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. They’re small wins in the deadlock war for legal Texas sports betting.

News tags: Charlie Geren | Dan Patrick | Jeff Leach | John Kuempel | Texas