Bills Filed That Will Allow Texans To Vote To Legalize Casinos And Sports Gambling In November

Austin, Texas – Both parties support the legalization of gambling in the state of Texas.

Republican Rep. Charlie Guerin, who represents parts of Tarrant County, has filed a bill that would allow Texans to decide if they want it.

His bill echoes one already filed by a Houston Democrat in the Texas State Senate.

Rep. Guerin said that while some of his Republican colleagues don’t personally support gambling, they believe it’s up to Texas voters to decide, showing bipartisan support for it in the state House and Senate.

When Texans talk about casinos, they usually talk about a trip to Oklahoma or another state where gambling is legal.

On Friday, Rep. Guerin filed a joint resolution allowing voters to decide whether to legalize casinos.

“We have Texas citizens going to Mu Mexico, Oklahoma and Louisiana and frankly Las Vegas,” Guerin said. We don’t aim to have slot machines in every corner store. What we are looking for is resort destinations and if that passes, the Legislative Assembly will decide what types of sports betting will be allowed.”

The scale of casino promotion is narrow as they have few resort locations.

READ MORE: Legislation backed by the casino giant would allow casinos and sports gambling in Texas.

Houston Democratic Senator Carol Alvarado has already filed a similar bill.

“We are talking about casinos, which should have a hotel component, a four- or five-star hotel, restaurants and shops, places for conferences and conventions,” Alvarado explained. “This is not setting up a blackjack table or setting up a slot machine in a store or bar. It will be very limited, four casinos in Texas, and they will be heavily regulated.”

Alvarado claims that this could create 185,000 direct and indirect jobs, and Guerin agrees.

“These resorts will not only have casinos, they will have showrooms, they will have restaurants, they will have shops, and all this will bring money to the state,” he added.

Republican Speaker of the House Dade Phelan expressed support for the casino. Gov. Greg Abbott said he was ready to listen, but Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick has remained silent on the matter.

Both lawmakers believe that because lawmakers are less concerned about the morality of gambling, this year could be the perfect time to make a move.

“Texans deserve a voice on this issue because they travel to many other states nearby or further away to gamble, and Texans love to gamble,” Alvarado said.

If lawmakers pass it, the public vote will be on the November vote.