
Texas Governor Greg Abbott Signals Support For Online Sports Betting Legislation
Is legalized sports betting coming to Texas? I wouldn't download any apps just yet but at least one powerful statewide politician might just be on board with legalizing sports betting in the Lone Star State.
According to Chron.com, in an interview with the Texas Take podcast, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he had no problem with lawmakers passing legislation that would legalize sports betting.
While on the Texas Take podcast Abbott said, "I don’t have a problem with online sports betting," Abbott said in the interview. "The reality is that I’d be shocked if there were not some Texans that do it already."
And the Governor would be right about his assumption. Texans are placing bets on sports and many are doing it online. This seems to be the first time the Governor has come out and said that he is fine with lawmakers passing legislation that would legalize sports better. Abbott's backing could give momentum to legislation either in this session or in the next.
Possible Obstacles To Passing Sports Betting In Texas
Just because the Governor might be on board with sports betting doesn't mean the votes are there.
Due to Texas having a Constitutional ban on expanded gambling, changing the law would require a two-thirds majority in the both the House and Senate. And while the House could possibly easily pass such a measure, the Texas Senate is different.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has in the past completely ruled out casino gambling in Texas and has even said in the past that the Senate doesn't have the votes to pass sports betting.
READ MORE: Casino Gambling Not Likely In Texas
If the legislation made it out of both the House and Senate and to the Governor's desk, it still wouldn't become law until a vote of the people of Texas.
Legalized sports betting, while may be popular with Texans, is not a big priority in the Texas Legislature this session, at least not yet. Education funding, School Choice, Water Infrastructure, the grid, and other issues will take up a lot of time during the session and there might not be enough time or will power to get sports betting through in this session.
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