Gearing up again
Las Vegas Sands (LVS) has led the charge to convince Texas lawmakers to finally introduce commercial casinos, spending millions of dollars lobbying over the past few years to try to get the matter over the line.
That push is far from over, with the company reportedly already in communications with leaders across the Lone Star State to drum up support when the next legislative session kicks off in January.
Lobbyists are doing so through roundtable forums that the Texas Association of Business set up. As many as 50 business representatives and local officials from major cities in North Texas gathered recently for such a discussion in Tarrant County.
recent forums indicated strong support for the introduction of casinos
According to the Texas Association of Business CEO and President Glenn Hamer, the recent forums indicated strong support for the introduction of casinos. He believes those behind the proposal have momentum.
Growing support
While LVS’ attempts to get a bill over the line ultimately fell short in the most recent legislative session, this hasn’t stopped it from investing heavily in the region. Company owner Miriam Adelson purchased a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks NBA team from Mark Cuban, and the company bought a 100-acre piece of land in Dallas near the former stadium of the Texas Rangers MLB team – big enough for a significant casino resort.
LVS also had discussions with Cuban about building a new arena for the NBA team that included a casino as part of the complex.
Representative Charlie Geren, the man behind the failed bill last year, spoke with the Fort Worth Report recently. Asked if he would get involved again in 2025, he said he has not yet thought about the matter as January is a long way in the distance.
previous plan was to empower state residents to vote to allow casinos
The lawmaker’s previous plan was to empower state residents to vote to allow casinos, since the matter would require a constitutional amendment. Another accompanying bill by Representative John Kuempel called for the development of eight casino resorts in major Texas cities.
Plenty of opposition
The main issue is that Texas is a conservative state in which the only forms of legal gambling are the state lottery, horse and greyhound racing wagering, and charitable activities. Health advocates and religious groups have expressed concern about the social costs of casinos, such as an uptick in addiction and crime.
The Texas Republican Party, which has completely controlled state politics for two decades, said last year that it opposes gambling expansion in all forms.
Nevertheless, LVS Chief Lobbyist Andy Abboud believes the progress made last year is a reason to be optimistic. The bills progressed further than any previous attempts.