Problem is, the case is about casino gambling in Texas.

HOUSTON – The chances of gaining a foothold in Texas gambling casinos have skyrocketed.

The Houston Democrat once again offers four gaming resorts, each equipped with luxury hotels, restaurants, convention centers and entertainment venues.

Texas Senator Carol Alvarado is leading the fight to ensure that voters have the last word.

PROPOSED: Can luck change for casino gambling in Texas?

Greg Grugan: “Senator Alvarado, casino gambling, why now?”

State Senator Carol Alvarado: I think it’s long overdue. I think the Texans are ready, their appetite has been whetted, it’s ready, and we’ve seen overwhelmingly the polls that it will pass, but we have to get there. We know it’s more than just a game, it’s about creating a destination, a resort.

Grugan: Is there an economic benefit?

Alvarado: Huge. I can’t think of anything we could do to get the economy up like this. You are talking about 185,000 direct and indirect construction jobs, and when they are launched, over 70,000 jobs will be created in four casinos. So this will be a boost to our economy and diversification of our economy. I think we should always reinvent ourselves. How can we diversify the Texas economy?c

Grugan: Senator, you’ve expressed frustration as you watch tens, hundreds of billions of dollars flow out of the state into other games.

CONNECTED: Texas bill will allow voters to decide whether to expand gambling

Alvarado: We are talking about casinos, which would have to have a hotel component, four- or five-star hotels, restaurants and shops, venues for conferences and congresses. This is not setting up a blackjack table or setting up a slot machine in a store or bar. This would be very limited; four casinos in Texas and they will be heavily regulated. License holders must have a lot of money to organize such an operation that meets all these criteria.

Grugan: You guys (Texas Legislature) have a lot of money right now. Doesn’t it hurt that we have such a large surplus and that the government can do without this income, at least for this biennium??

Alvarado: It was never about how we can fill the public treasury, so get that off the table. It’s about the future of Texas and continuing to find ways to stimulate our economy to diversify.

Grugan: Okay, brass nails. I expect you were encouraged to hear Speaker Phelan’s voice of support. The Governor says he’s willing to listen and at least doesn’t say “hell” from Lieutenant Governor Patrick. How to do it?

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Alvarado: Making people comfortable because we don’t approve of games, we just let Texans vote.

Grugan: Dozens of lobbyists are pushing this, I guess they make a convincing case when they meet with legislators?

Alvarado: I think so. Everyone has their own tasks and participants with whom they talk. As you know, some of the guys in the last session showed ads on TV. They had a really effective media outreach campaign, so it certainly got attention. And you have other things to do, but we stay in our lane. You are betting on sports. This is already happening and I think we should legalize it. Just like in games, you have private clubs. You have these game rooms that a lot of our voters have been complaining about and they’ve been trying to close because they’re causing a lot of traffic and negativity and criminal activity in the neighborhoods so I think if we had these well regulated casinos that could put an end to a lot of this. I think Texans deserve to vote for this because they travel to many other states nearby or further away to gamble. Texans love to gamble.