Texas lawmaker proposes amendment for 10 casinos and sports betting
The proposal would need two-thirds support in both the Texas House and Senate before voters could decide, a threshold that has historically blocked gambling expansion.
Key takeaways:
- Texas Representative Charlie Green has proposed a constitutional amendment giving the Legislature authority to establish a regulated casino and sports betting market, subject to voter approval.
- Operators would face taxation of up to 15 per cent, in addition to licensing fees and other gambling-related levies.
- The proposal contemplates negotiations with Texas tribal governments to establish gambling compacts for casinos on tribal land.
- The amendment makes no provision for igaming or online sports betting, and it does not clearly say whether sports wagering would be limited to casino premises.
US.- State Representative Charlie Green has proposed a constitutional amendment in the latest attempt to expand regulated gambling in Texas. The measure would allow a public vote on a measure that would give the legislature authority to establish a regulated casino and sports betting market.
Green’s plan would allow up to 10 casinos to operate in Texas under licences valid for 40 years. Gambling would be restricted to these physical venues, with operators subject to a licensing framework and taxation of up to 15 per cent, in addition to licensing fees and other levies.
The proposal also contemplates negotiations with Texas tribal governments to establish gambling compacts. These agreements could provide a framework for tribes to develop casinos on their own land, following arrangements adopted in other US states.
Although the amendment includes sports wagering, it does not clearly establish whether betting would be restricted to casino premises, but there is no provision for igaming or online sports betting.
The proposal would need to receive more than 50 per cent of the popular vote to pass. However, Green must secure support from at least two-thirds of the members of both the Texas House of Representatives and the Senate. Previous attempts to introduce such legislation have failed.
In September, the state Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on whether Texas can restrict prediction market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket that offer sports event contracts in the state despite its prohibition on sports betting. The hearing, chaired by Senator Bryan Hughes was directed to study the expansion of prediction market gambling and the commercialisation of federal law to circumvent Texas gambling prohibitions by allowing users to place bets on the outcome of elections and different events.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What does Charlie Green’s proposed amendment do? It would give the Texas Legislature authority to establish a regulated casino and sports betting market, subject to voter approval. The plan would allow up to 10 casinos under licences valid for 40 years, with gambling restricted to authorised physical venues.
- What majority is needed to pass the amendment in Texas? Before it reaches voters, Green must secure at least two-thirds of the members of both the Texas House and the Senate. If it does, it would need more than 50 per cent of the popular vote to pass. The two-thirds requirement has historically been one of the main barriers to gambling expansion.
- How would casinos be taxed under the Texas proposal? Operators would be subject to a licensing framework and taxation of up to 15 per cent, in addition to licensing fees and other gambling-related levies. The proposal also contemplates compacts with Texas tribal governments for casinos on their own land.
