DraftKings Spearheads Efforts to Legalize Sports Betting in Texas
While Texas may be the second-most populous state in the US, it offers limited opportunities for gambling.
State of Texas sign. DraftKings at the forefront of efforts to legalize sports betting in Texas.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Residents can visit racetracks, Native American casinos, and take part in a state lottery, but beyond these, there are few options. However, it seems that efforts to expand gambling, including introducing Las Vegas-style casinos and legal sports betting, are gaining momentum.
DraftKings Ramps Up Lobbying for Sports Betting
In 2023, a proposal to legalize sports betting made significant progress by passing the House. However, to move forward, it needs more support in the Senate, where opposition from Republican lawmakers has been a long-standing hurdle.
Now, reports suggest that major players in the gambling industry are increasing their lobbying efforts ahead of the 2025 legislative session. According to Covers, DraftKings is hiring a government affairs expert to aid their push for legal sports betting in Texas.
This new effort follows decades of resistance to gambling expansion in the Lone Star State. The most recent progress in Texas gambling history was the introduction of the state lottery, and despite multiple campaigns since then, efforts to broaden the scope of legal gambling have failed to produce results.
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Broad Industry Support for Legalization
DraftKings is not alone in its lobbying campaign. Other operators such as Las Vegas Sands, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Fanatics Sportsbook are also expected to step up their campaigns for legal betting in Texas.
However, their efforts face challenges. Republican opposition remains a major obstacle, and only a small number of lawmakers are likely to back legislation promoting gambling expansion. Without sufficient legislative support, any proposed bills will struggle to advance.
One of the main arguments from proponents of legal sports betting and casino gambling is the potential for increased tax revenue. Many states that have expanded gambling collect tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars annually in taxes.
Additionally, supporters argue that Texas residents are already participating in sports betting, often through unlicensed platforms or by traveling to neighboring states with legal wagering. Bordering states such as Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico already offer legal sports betting, leaving Texas as an outlier in the region. Only Oklahoma, Texas’ northern neighbor, also lacks legalized sports betting.
With the 2025 legislative session fast approaching, there will be many hoping that these renewed efforts will overcome decades of resistance and bring about a new era of gambling in Texas.
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