Could legalizing casinos and sports betting bring new money into Texas — money that could help pay for public education without raising taxes? Supporters say yes. Opponents warn the cost to Texas families could far outweigh the benefits.
A renewed push in Austin could give Texans the final say.
For years, efforts to legalize casinos and sports betting have stalled in the Texas Legislature. But a shift in who controls the Texas House following the last election has given the movement new momentum. A new proposal — House Joint Resolution 52 — would start the process of amending the Texas Constitution, eventually putting the question directly before voters on whether to legalize casino gambling and sports wagering statewide.
Under the proposal, Texas could approve up to 10 licensed casinos across the state, with licenses running at least 40 years.
Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, says the resolution is more ambitious than previous attempts.
“This is more expansive than prior legislation, which has tended to be more restricted to one or two for Dallas, one for Houston, one for San Antonio, one for Austin, one for the Rio Grande Valley,” Jones said. “With 10, it’s spread across a larger area.”
Jones says the recent midterm results — including a failed re-election bid for Lt. Governor Dan Patrick — have given the casino push new life. And the financial argument is a compelling one for supporters.
“There’s strong support for it for a couple of reasons,” Jones said. “It’s going to bring in significant revenue that can be used for things like public education and other state expenses — without increasing taxes on Texas taxpayers.”
But there’s a catch. Under the resolution, the state could tax casino and sports betting revenue at no more than 15%. The proposal does not guarantee that money would go to public schools — and it doesn’t estimate how much Texas could actually collect.
Not everyone is sold on the idea. Rob Kohler with the Christian Life Commission says expanding gambling carries serious social risks — particularly for young Texans.
“All these studies are coming out — it preys on the youth of our state,” Kohler said. “It’s something we feel very strongly about. You don’t need that.”
The big question now is whether supporters can round up the votes. The resolution requires two-thirds approval in both the Texas House and Senate before it can ever go before Texas voters. If it clears that hurdle, the constitutional amendment would land on the November 2027 ballot — giving Texans the final say.
