Texas Casinos | Today & Future

In 2023, the Texas legislature failed to pass sports betting or legalize commerical casinos. In 2025, the legislature is expected to resume efforts to legalize gambling in Texas. If passed, the legislation will require voter approval in the next state election.

Indian Casinos
Texas law prohibits casino gambling. However, these laws are superseded by federal Indian gaming laws. There are three federally-recognized tribes in Texas that operate casinos in accordance with the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulation. Each casino is allowed to operate Class II gaming on reservation land without state jurisdiction.. Class II gaming is played against other players rather against the house, and includes bingo-type slot machines and non-banked card games.

Texas Minimum Gambling Age

Minimum gambling ages are 21 years old for casinos, 21 for poker, 18 for bingo, 21 for horse racing, 18 for the lottery.

Texas Indian Casinos

The federal government has authorized casino gambling by three Texas Indian tribes on reservation lands in accordance with the 1988 U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Although reservations have sovereignty over state jurisdiction, Texas has fought fiercely in courts for decades to shut down each of these gambling facilities.

Today's Texas casinos are the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino operated by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas in Eagle Pass, Maverick County, TX, the Speaking Rock Casino operated by the Tigua Indians of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo in El Paso and the Naskila Casino operated by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas in Livingston, Polk County, TX. Near the Naskila Casino is the Ischoopa Travel Center & Casino on US Highway 190.

A new Texas casino is in development on the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe's reservation. Details are pending.

U.S. Supreme Court Ruling 2022
In June 2022 the U.S. Supreme Court made a final ruling on Indian gaming controversy in Texas. The court told Texas it has no authority to prevent tribes from operating electronic bingo games since the state allows bingo. Texas tribes have self-jurisdiction over the operation of these casinos on their lands under terms of the U.S Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

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News Headlines

Irving approved Sands casino plan without casino March 21, 2025 - Before the Irving City Council voted this week on rezoning 1,000 acres of vacant land around the site of the former Texas Stadium to allow construction of a ... Read more Texas casino resort approved in Irving March 18, 2025 - In Texas, the Irving planning and zoning commission met last night and narrowly approved a rezoning ordinance to allow a casino resort to be developed off Highway 114 at the site of ... Read more Who is Texas Destination Resort Alliance? February 28, 2025 - Recent TV ads are urging Texas lawmakers to "let Texans vote on destination resorts." The ads seek support for a constitutional amendment to allow the destination resorts with casinos ... Read more Texas Gambling Debate | Special Update February 14, 2025 - Texas gambling laws will be significantly altered if either of two 2025 bills are passed by the Texas legislature this year. House Joint Resolution 134 (HJR 134) seeks an amendment to the ... Read more New Texas Casino Resort Project | Feb. 2025 Update February 1, 2025 - There has been little information released about plans to build a new casino resort in East Texas since its announcement in April 2024 by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe ... Read more Texas tribe adds slots machines to travel center January 19, 2025 - The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas celebrated the opening of its new Ischoopa Travel Center & Casino in Polk County on Dec. 17, 2024. A ribbon-cutting ... Read more Choctaw Nation positioning for Texas sportsbook possibility January 4, 2025 - The Choctaw Nation is expanding its brand recognition and sports partnerships in Texas to position itself for a sports betting license if legalized by the ... Read more Headlines continued...

Texas Indian Casinos

Three tribes operate casinos in Texas under the jurisdiction of the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Each casino offers Class II gaming and is regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC).

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History of Texas Indian Casinos

In 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that since federally recognized Indian tribes are considered sovereign entities they could have casinos outside of state jurisdiction.

Texas has three federally-recognized tribes:

This 1987 Supreme Court ruling led to the 1987 Registration Act followed by the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Only the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas is authorized under the IGRA to operate a casino.

The Tigua and Alabama-Coushatta tribe were granted federal recognition under the 1987 Texas Indian Restoration Act, but were specifically prohibited by that act from casino operations.

Decades of legal battles were finally resolved in June 2022 when the U.S. Sepreme Court disagreed with Texas and declared the Texas tribes can legally operate casinos on reservation lands.

KICKAPOO LUCKY EAGLE CASINO
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel

In 1996 the Kickapoo established the Lucky Eagle Casino in the small town of Eagle Pass about 100 miles south of San Antonio.

In 2008 the Texas Attorney General's office sued over the legality of the casino even though the Kickapoo had federal approval under the Indian Regulatory Gaming Act. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 after the tribe lost in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court reaffirmed the tribe's right to operate the Lucky Eagle Casino under federal law.

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SPEAKING ROCK CASINO
Speaking Rock Casino

In 1992 the Tigua tribe of El Paso petitioned Governor Ann Richards to negotiate a gaming compact for an Indian casino on their reservation, however, the governor rejected their request.

The Tigua felt their rights under federal law were ignored, so in 1993, they opened the Speaking Rock Casino without state jurisdiction.. That began a ten year battle in the courts over the legality of their casino.

In 2015 a court decision and endorsement by the U.S. Interior Department determined the casino should have never been closed. The tribe reopened its casino as the non-gaming Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in 2016.

NASKILA GAMING
Naskila Casino

In 2001 the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas opened a tribal casino in Livingston, Texas. After nine months of operations it was forced to close after the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the tribe was violating the 1987 Indian Restoration Act which prohibited their operating a casino.

The casino generated $1 million/month for its tribal members during is operation.

In 2015 the tribe received a federal decision similar to the Tigua. The US Interior Department determined their casino should have never been closed and could now reopen with Class II electronic gambling. In May 2016 the tribe reopened their casino and bingo hall as the Naskila Gaming.

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News Articles

Who is Texas Destination Resort Alliance?

February 28, 2025

Recent TV ads are urging Texas lawmakers to "let Texans vote on destination resorts." The ads seek support for a constitutional amendment to allow the destination resorts with casinos, entertainment venues and luxury hotels in selected cities. The sponsor of these ads is the Texas Destination Resort Alliance (TDRA).

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What is the Texas Destination Resort Alliance? | The PAC behind the 'destination resorts' ads - Courtesy of KVUE, Jan 31, 2025. Available from YouTube

The Texas Destination Resort Alliance (TDRA) is primarily a Political Action Committee (PAC) backed by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. The PAC is working to create a broad coalition of voters and lawmakers to support a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling if Texas voters approve.

Miriam Aldison is the widow of Sheldon Adelson and the controlling shareholder of Las Vegas Sands Corporation. She has donated millions of dollars to Texas political campaigns in recent years. Last year her family bought the Dallas Mavericks, which raised speculation that she would actively pursue a casino opportunity in Dallas, and perhaps other Texas cities.

In this year's legislative session, State Senator Carol Alvarado (Houston) has filed Senate Joint Resolution 16, which would create a constitutional amendment allowing Texas voters to decide whether to approve casinos. The bill supports the strategy of Miriam Aldison's casino objectives. There will be fierce opposition to the measure, and the outcome is uncertain before the regular legislative session ends in June.

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Texas Gambling Debate | Special Update

February 14, 2025

Texas gambling laws will be significantly altered if either of two 2025 bills are passed by the Texas legislature this year.

House Joint Resolution 134 (HJR 134) seeks an amendment to the Texas Constitution that will allow regulated sports betting.

House Joint Resolution 137 (HJR 137) seeks to legalize both sports betting and casino gambling. HJR 137 would allow up to ten casino licenses and also upgrade tribal casinos to Vegas-style gaming.

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Special report: Both sides weigh in on bringing casino gambling to Texas - Courtesy of KFDM YouTube, Feb 10, 2025. Available from YouTube

EXISTING TEXAS CASINOS
Today there are five Texas gambling facilities operating on Native American tribal lands. The two largest are the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, Texas, which is operated by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, and the Naskila Casino in Livingston, Texas, operated by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas.

These two casino are authorized by the federal government to operate Class II slot machines and table games because they are built on tribal reservations. These lands have sovereignty over local and state gambling laws.

STATS: TWO TRIBAL CASINOS IN TEXAS

JOBS: 21,316

ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT: $4.8 BILLION

ANNUAL TAX IMPACT: $483 MILLION

These statistics are impressive and represent only a small fraction of what is expected if Texas legalizes casinos and sports betting.

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Choctaw Nation positioning for Texas sportsbook possibility

January 4, 2025

The Choctaw Nation is expanding its brand recognition and sports partnerships in Texas to position itself for a sports betting license if legalized by the Texas legislature in 2025. The legislature is expected to consider sports betting legislation in 2025. If passed and signed by the governor, Texas could become the largest sports betting market in the US with up to $32 billion in annual betting.

Choctaw Casinos & Resorts is promoting its brand in Texas by partnering with several Texas sports teams and stadiums. They are the Official and Exclusive Casino and Resort of the Texas Rangers and are partnered with the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars. The Globe Life Park, where the Arlington Renegades play, is rebranded as Choctaw Stadium.

Next month Choctaw Casinos & Resorts will be the official casino and resort partner of the Dallas Open. The Choctaw brand will be displayed throughout Ford Center at The Star in Frisco from February 1-9, 2025.

"Partnering with the Dallas Open, the region's premier tennis event, allows us to further showcase the elevated Choctaw experience. We are proud to bring our premium hospitality offering to tennis fans and strengthen our presence in North Texas sports and entertainment."

- Heidi Grant, Sr. Exec. Officer Choctaw Nation

Last year Choctaw Nation signed sportsbook partnership with Kambi Group. The deal provides Choctaw Nation with a turnkey sportsbook platform for both online and retail sports betting. The terms are nationwide and long-term.

Choctaw Nation is the third-largest tribe in our country. The Choctaw own four casino resorts, fouor casinos, and one travel plaza casino. All are located in Oklahoma. The largest is Choctaw Casino & Resort - Durant, located 90 miles north of Dallas. Their other casinos are:

Next week the Texas legislature will convene and new sports betting bills will be introduced. If sports betting is legalized this year or in the near future, Choctaw Nation is well-positioned to compete for a sportsbook license.

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Texas Sports Betting | 2025 Legislative Push

January 2, 2025

Texas lawmakers will soon consider several bills for state-legalization of sports betting and casino gambling. The Texas Senate and House of Representative will convene on January 14, 2025 and continue in session until June 2, 2025.

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Sports betting advocates push ahead for next Texas legislative session - Courtesy of CBS Austin, Dec 30, 2024. Available from YouTube

The major advocacy group for 2025 sportsbook legislation is the Texas Sports Betting Alliance. This group includes these partners:

Stay tuned. We are following the new sports betting and gambling bills that will be introduced in the coming 89th Texas Legislature.

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Texas Casino Legalization | 2025 Odds

November 17, 2024

Legalized casino gambling in Texas requires a constitutional amendment. An amendment must be passed by a two-thirds vote in both houses of the Texas legislature followed by a majority vote of the people. In 2025, the chips appear stacked against a gambling amendment just like in previous years.

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What are the chances Texas passes a casino gaming law? - Courtesy of 12NewsNow, Nov 11, 2024. Available from YouTube

There are three strong reasons why the 2025 legislative session is unlikely to pass a gambling bill:

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Opposes Gambling
Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is the primary roadblock to passing gambling legislation. As the presiding officer over the Texas Senate, Patrick has prevented bills from reaching the senate floor for a vote. Patrick says he will allow a vote if there is reasonable support in the senate; however, he does not believe there is real support at this time.

Republican Legislators Oppose Gambling
Texas Republican legislators have historically opposed casino gambling and sports betting. This year the republicans increased their majority in the Texas Senate by one more vote. The Republican majority is now 20 to 11 over Democrats.

Texans Have Conservative Values
A majority of Texans have traditional values and are hesitant about expanding statewide gambling. Polls show mixed results. A majority of Texan now support a limited number of destination casinos in major cities but oppose online and retail sports betting.

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Las Vegas Sands meets with DFW officials

August 4, 2024

Las Vegas Sands held a casino presentation last week for city officials in the DFW area to explain the economic benefits of legalized gambling and destination resorts in North Texas.

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Casino company pitches North Texas policymakers on legalized gambling - Courtesy of WFAA, Jul 31, 2024. Available from YouTube

The meeting was organized by North Texas Commission and the Texas Association of Business, and key attendees included Mayor Jim Ross of Arlington, Mayor Rick Stopfer of Irving, and Dallas city council member Chad West.

The Las Vegas Sands presentation made these points:

• Texas would add $13 billion to its gross domestic product with legalized gambling.

• Texas would add 70,000 new permanent jobs and 185,000 construction jobs, according to a study by Professor George Zodrow of Rice University.

• Dallas-Fort Worth area would gain $34.7 million in new tax revenue. That amount would come from $5.9 million in sales tax, $28 million in property taxes and $700,000 in non-gambling taxes.

Sands is lobbying groups like the North Texas Commission for support of new gambling legislation to be introduced in the 2025 legislative session. If gambling is legalized, Sands would like to build two casino destination resorts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and five others across the state.

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Texas Casino Legalization | June 2024 Update

June 27, 2024

When will Texas legalize gambling? New Dallas Mavericks governor Patrick Dumon advises patience. The timing remains uncertain. Dumont spoke with reporters for the first time since the Mavs were purchased last December for $3.5 billion.

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Fight to legalize casinos expected to be a hot topic for Texas lawmakers in 2025 | NBC DFW - Courtesy of NBC DFW, Jun 3, 2024. Available from YouTube

"If you look at what we do, we're ground-up developers in scale, and we develop tourism assets for both business and leisure tourism. We feel like this is an opportunity that's very good, not only for us, but for the tourism industry as a whole. Now, as part of that, we need casino gaming because of the scale of our investments.

- Patrick Dumon, Dallas Mavericks

Another professional sports team owner, Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, sees similar opportunities for legalized gambling in Texas and is an active supporter of legislative efforts in 2025.

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Texas voter poll supports casino resorts, opposes sports betting

May 2, 2024

A new Texas poll shows a majority of likely voters would favor legislation to build and operate destination casino resorts in the state. The same poll found less than a majority of likely voters support the legalization of online and retail sports betting.

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Majority of Texas voters support idea of casino resorts in the state, new poll says - Courtesy of KHOU 11, Apr 30, 2024. Available from YouTube

The poll was released this week by the Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation. Here are the results:

Casino Resorts: The poll found 56% of Texas likely voters support destination resort casinos.

Sports Betting: The poll found that only 47% of Texas likely voters support legalizing online sports betting and 41% support legalizing retail sports betting.

The survey was released April 30, 2024 and can be read at the Hispanic Policy Foundation website.

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Texas Casinos Online Support Petition

April 9, 2024

A casino advocacy group has launched an online petition seeking Texas voters' support for legalization of casino gambling. The group is the Texas Destination Resort Alliance (TDRA), and the petition is found on the Sign the Petition page of its website.

The group wants Texas lawmakers to initiate new legislation to expand gaming and legalize casinos. The petition page reads:

"SHOW YOUR SUPPORT - Show Texas lawmakers that you support the expansion of gaming - and all of its benefits - in Texas.

"By signing the petition, you're joining a broad coalition of Texans calling for a more prosperous, secure future for our state. Will you add your name immediately?"

- Texas Destination Resort Alliance

The TDRA group is backed by the Las Vegas Sands, which recently bought the controlling interest in the Dallas Mavericks and the site of the former Texas Stadium.

This new casino effort comes after two gaming bills died in last year's legislative session.

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Cuban's casino plans lack GOP support

December 4, 2023

After Mark Cuban announced his sale of the Dallas Mavericks to owners of the Las Vegas Sands Corp, Cuban said he is now seeking to build a new sports arena as part of a Dallas casino resort. The plans will take a gargantuan effort against the GOP opposition in the Texas senate, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick confirms the senate will never accept Cuban's plans.

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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says GOP senators don't support casinos in Texas - Courtesy of CBS TEXAS, Dec 1, 2023. Available from YouTube

The first step to allow casinos in Texas is to amend the state constitution. That requires approval by the state legislature and a ballot measure approved by voters. In an interview with CBS news, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick confirmed there is presently no GOP support in the senate to approve a casino bill.

"My experience and my knowledge is that we aren't even close to having 15 votes or 16 votes for casinos."

- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

Legislation to legalize casinos and sports betting both died in the last session of the Texas legislature.

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Texas Casinos and the Dallas Mavericks

December 1, 2023

In a surprise announcement Wednesday, Mark Cuban will sell his majority ownership in the Dallas Mavericks to Miriam Adelson and the Dumont family, the owners of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. Cuban will retain operational control of the Mavs in a deal valued at $3.5 billion.

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Could casinos really come to Texas? Mark Cuban and the Adelsons are betting on it - Courtesy of WFAA, Nov 29, 2023. Available from YouTube

A statement released by the Adelson and Dumont families said:

"The families are targeting a closing of the transaction by year-end, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and approval of the NBA Board of Governors."

Cuban is an avid supporter of legalizing gambling in Texas, and said last year that he was interested in building a casino resort in Dallas. The new media is reporting that Cuban and Sands are currently working on all types of gambling opportunities which may be passed by the next state legislature.

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Texas Sports Betting Fight Will Continue in 2025

June 5, 2023

Legislation to place the issue of Texas sports betting before voters died this session in the state Senate after passing in the House 101-42. Former Gov. Rick Perry, spokesman for the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, says he remains committed to the cause and expects another legislative attempt will be made in 2025.

"Texans deserve the chance to vote on legalizing sports betting, and we will continue to work to put this initiative on the ballot in 2025."

- Rick Perry

In 2023 two gambling bills, HJR 102 and HB 1942, were passed by the Texas House. This is the first time in Texas history that sports gambling legislation was approved by either Texas house. It had no chance in the Senate where there was no political support.

There could be a political shift in the 2024 election, and legislative support for sports betting could change by 2025. There is now time to seek Senate support from Lt Gov. Dan Patrick, who opposed the 2023 legislation, but admitted he is open to the idea of sports betting in the state.

Texas is a huge potential market for regulated sports betting. Fans can expected a greater legislative push in the next session.

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Texas gambling legislation may be dead for 2023!

April 7, 2023

The possibility or the Texas legislature passing a casino or online betting measure this year appears unlikely after a statement last week from Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, leader of the Texas Senate. Patrick told Lubbock KFYO talk radio: "We don't have the votes in the Senate as we sit here today."

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Casino gambling in Texas appears to be dead - Courtesy of FOX 26 Houston, Mar 30, 2023. Available from YouTube

Houston State Senator Carol Alvarado, who introduced the Texas casino bill, confirms Patrick's statement. With less than 60 days left in the Texas legislative session, Alvarado says the Senate is "significantly" short of votes needed for passage.

Mark Jones, a Rice political analyst, predicts a slight possibility for a compromise between Lt. Governor Patrick and the Texas House. Jones says "We could envision a scenario whereby school choice is being blocked by the House, and one of the ways Lt. Governor Patrick could unblock it is by allowing Casino gambling to pass." The cards are in Patricksd hands.

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Texas House committee passes casino and sports betting bills

April 5, 2023

The Texas House State Affairs Committee passed two gambling bills Monday afternoon. One bill, HB 1942, would legalize mobile-only sports betting with a 10% tax on the adjusted gross revenue. The other bill, HB 2843, would authorize casino resorts with sports betting at the state's existing horse tracks.

Both bills were passed in the committee with a 9-3 vote and will now advance to the full House for consideration. If passed by both the House and Senate, Texas voters will make to final decision on whether to amend the state constitution to allow casino and sportsbook gambling in Texas.

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Texas bill HJR 155 would license 8 horse track casino resorts

April 1, 2023

A new joint resolution in the Texas House of Representatives has been introduced into this legislative session that would add casino licenses to existing horse and dog racing licenses to create a limited number of destination resorts.

House Joint Resolution 155 identifies six metropolitan areas for licensing eight casino resorts.

• Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (two locations)
• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar (two locations)
• San Antonio-New Braunfels
• Corpus Christi
• McAllen-Edinburg-Mission
• TBD (the county must be 100 miles or more from the above locations)

HJR 155 is authored by Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) and supported by Texas Sands PAC, the political arm of Las Vegas Sands. The status and summary of the bill can be found at www.legiscan.com.

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Texas Bill Would Expand Gambling at Tribal Casinos

March 28, 2023

A new bill has been introduced in the Texas legislature for a constitutional amendment requiring the governor to negotiate gaming compacts with each federally-recognized tribe in the state. The compacts would allow state regulation of Class III gambling at tribal casinos.

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Legislative bill filed requiring state gaming compact with governor, 3 Texas tribes - Courtesy of KLTV 7, Mar 15, 2023. Available from YouTube

Texas has three Native American casinos. Each operates Class II gaming under jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Interior. Class II is gambling played exclusively against other players and not the house.

The proposed legislation would allow Class III gambling at tribal casinos and generate tax revenues for the state and local governments. Class III is gambling played against the house, such as Vegas-style slot machines, slot machines, blackjack, craps, and roulette.

The three Texas tribes are the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, which operates the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, Maverick County, TX, the Tigua Indians of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, which operations Speaking Rock Casino in El Paso, and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, which operates Naskila Casino in Livingston, Polk County, TX.

The proposed legislation is HJR 156 filed by Rep. Mary Gonzalez of El Paso. To amend the Texas Constitution, this bill must be approved by two-thirds of the state house and senate, and approved by a majority of Texas voters.

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Texas Gov. Abbott Reveals His Positions on Casinos, Sports Betting

March 4, 2023

In a recent interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Gov. Greg Abbott revealed his positions on expanding gambling in Texas.

Casinos
Gov. Abbott said he is "open" to legalizing casinos in Texas if done in a "professional" way. His number one priority is the safety of players. Abbott told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

"If it can be built in a way that is, kind of like a professional operation that provides a form of entertainment for people, that's something I can be open to. We need, and have an obligation, to make sure that we will not be setting up a system where people without means are using money that they need to pay their bills, to gamble it away and maybe lose it.

"We need to safeguard against that, as well as make sure no operation is being set up that would lead to any type of crime."

Gov. Greg Abbott

Sports Betting
Gov. Abbott appears more favorable to sports betting than to casinos. He describes it as "a form of entertainment".

"I'm such a sports fan, and I see people doing this, and it's really a form of entertainment for them, and it's also kind of related to these sports leagues - like fantasy football, things like that - that people participate in.

"Fantasy sports is such a big thing in Texas already. It seems like there could be a way where we could create a system where something like this could happen."

Gov. Greg Abbott

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Texas Gambling Legislation is Gaining Traction

February 21, 2023

Recent TV newscasts across the state have focused on the growing push for legislation to allow state voters to approve or reject casino gambling and sports betting in Texas.

The current legislation under consideration would authorize a limited number of casino resorts in selected metropolitan areas. The legislation would also authorize mobile sports betting.

FOX 7 Austin

The Issue Is: Casino gambling in Texas | FOX 7 Austin
Courtesy of FOX 7 Austin, Feb 13 2023. Available from YouTube

For the first time neither Gov. Greg Abbott nor House Speaker Dade Phelan have opposed the legislative consideration of expanding gambling.

KHOU 11

A look at the new push to legalize gambling and sports betting in Texas
Courtesy of KHOU 11, Feb 7 2023. Available from YouTube

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New Texas Bills Introduced for Casinos, Sports Gambling

February 7, 2023

Bipartisan support to legalize casino gambling is growing in the Texas legislature this year. Two bills with similar provisions have been introduced in each house: One by a Democrat and one by a Republican.

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Bills filed that would allow Texans to vote on legalizing casinos, sports gambling in November - Courtesy of FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, Feb 4 2023. Available from YouTube

Senate Joint Resolution 17 was introduced by Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, three months ago, and House Joint Resolution 97 was introduced Friday by Texas State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth.

House Joint Resolution 97

Texas State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, introduced a new bill Friday to legalize casinos and sports betting. The Republican bill, known as House Joint Resolution 97, would allow up to seven destination casinos in designated cities. The legislation would support sports betting and also add casino gambling to some of the state's race tracks.

Two destination casinos would be allowed in both Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. The other four casinos would be allowed in Corpus Christi, McAllen, and San Antonio. The state would receive a 15% tax on the gross gaming revenues.

Senate Joint Resolution 17

A similar bill has been filed in the State Senate by Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston. That bill, Senate Joint Resolution 17, proposes a constitutional amendment to allow four casino resorts in metropolitan areas with a minimum of 2 million people and casino gambling at a maximum of three horse tracks.

Legislative Process

To become law, any gambling bill must be passed by two thirds of both the House and Senate before it can be placed on the Nov. 7 ballot for voters to approve. If passed, the state's constitution would be amended.

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Texans favor more gambling 75% in poll

February 6, 2023

A recent survey found 75% of Texans support the concept of a constitutional amendment proposed by Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, to legalize sports betting and allow casino resorts in Houston, Austin. Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio.

The survey was conducted by the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston between Jan. 9 and Jan. 19. A total of 1,200 people were surveyed with these results:

75% support (41% strongly support)
25% oppose (13% strongly oppose)

The proposed constitutional amendment will require legislative approval, the governor's signature, and voter approval in a statewide referendum.

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Texas Bill Supports Limited Casino Gambling and Sports Betting

January 18, 2023

A new legislative bill, Senate Joint Resolution 17, would establish the Texas Gaming Commission and create a framework for legalized gambling in the state. The bill limits the number of licenses and the type of licenses for gambling in Texas. It would also pave the way for future sports betting.

Class I Licenses
A maximum of four casino resorts would be licensed in the state. Each would be a metropolitan area with a minimum population of two million people. Each casino would be taxed 25% of gross revenues from slot machines and 10% from table games. Proceeds would be applied to tax relief, education and public safety programs.

Tribal casinos will have an opportunity to add state-licensed gaming with a negotiated gaming compact. In return the state would receive a tax on the cassino revenues. Texas has three tribal casinos: Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, Naskila Gaming in Livingston, and the Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso.

Class II Licenses
A maximum of three licenses will be available for horse racing operators in large metropolitan areas to add "limited casino gambling" to their tracks.

Class III Licenses
Two Class III licenses will be available to add limited casino gambling at greyhound races.

The new bill requires changes to the state constitution. Those changes require the bill be approved by two-thirds votes in both legislative houses followed by voter approvals through referendums. If enacted, sports betting could be authorized by a legislative majority vote rather than by a supermajority.

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Mark Cuban seeks Dallas Casino Resort + NBA Arena

December 23, 2022

Mark Cuban would like to build a multibillion-dollar Texas casino and NBA arena complex in Dallas to host his Dallas Mavericks NBA basketball team. Cuban would partner with Las Vegas Sands, which continues to push Texas legislators for legalization of casino gambling.

"My goal, and we'd partner with Las Vegas Sands, is when we build a new arena, it'll be in the middle of a resort and casino. That's the mission."

- Mark Cuban told Dallas Morning News

Although gambling legislation in 2021 failed to pass, Texas state Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) has announced plans to introduce similar legislation early in the 2023 session. Her bill would legalize both casino gambling and sports betting.

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Rick Perry Joins Texas Sports Betting Alliance

December 10, 2022

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry has announced his support to legalize sports betting in Texas. Perry is the first major Republican to take that stand. In a video released by the Sports Betting Alliance Perry said:

"Texas is built on the core principle of individual freedom. And we pride ourselves on being an economic powerhouse in the nation. Legalizing mobile sports betting in Texas will finally allow the state to protect consumers from illegal offshore betting sites while keeping the money generated from betting in Texas to benefit Texans."

- Former Gov. Rick Perry

The Sports Betting Alliance was founded last year by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The organization is supported by all 11 major league sports teams in Texas.

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Texas is invaded by gambling lobbyists

November 30, 2022

More than 300 gambling lobbyists are now registered in Texas according to state records. The largest group is 72 lobbyists working for Las Vegas Sands. There are other casino lobbyists representing Caesars, Boyd Gaming and Landry's Entertainment, as well as sports betting lobbyists for BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings and others.

There has been a recent rush following Gov. Abbott's announcing his willingness to listen to gambling options for Texas. His statement was a major shift from his previous position.

The Texas Republican Party is officially opposed to enacting a new gambling law. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick agrees and can block any legislation from reaching the floor of the State Senate. Gambling lobbyists are trying to improve their chances by giving direct campaign donations to Abbot, Patrick and other leading republicans prior to the 2023 legislative session.

Las Vegas Sands spent $1.8 million through its PAC on political donations in 2022. The funds were issued through 216 donations to 126 Texas politicians, both Democrats and Republicans, in the House and Senate. Abbott received $200,000 and Patrick received $225,000 from the group.

Any gambling legislation passed next year will require an amendment to the Texas Constitution, which requires a referendum for approval by the voters.

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New Texas legislation filed for casinos, sports betting

November 21, 2022

A new legislative effort began last week to legalize Texas casino gambling and sports wagering. State Sen. Carol Alvarado, prefiled a bill, Senate Joint Resolution 17, to create a state commision for regulating commercial gambling.

Senate Joint Resolution 17 proposes a constitutional amendment for:

"creating the Texas Gaming Commission, authorizing and regulating casino gaming at a limited number of destination resorts and facilities licensed by the commission, authorizing sports wagering, requiring occupational licenses to conduct casino gaming, and requiring the imposition of a tax."

- Sen. Carol Alvarado

To become law, a Texas constitutional amendment must first be approved by two-thirds of both legislative houses. Then the amendment would be placed on the Nov. 7, 2023 ballot for approval by a majority of Texas voters.

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Texas Casinos: Could this really be possible?

November 6, 2022

Gov. Greg Abbott said last week he might look at casino proposals if they offered a "very professional entertainment option for Texans". The governor has been a long-time opponent of casinos in Texas. Why did he make that statement? Is there something changing on the political scene?

WFAA put together this political reporters roundtable to discuss these issues and the realities:

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Political reporters roundtable: Is Texas finally getting closer to having casinos?
Courtesy of WFAA, Oct 30, 2022. Available from YouTube

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Gov. Abbott softens position against Texas casino legalization

November 1

Gov. Greg Abbott has fought casino legalization for years. However, a statement released last week by his press secretary, Renae Eze, indicates the governor may be willing to reconsider the issue. The statement was released to the Houston Chronicle and included the following:

"We don't want slot machines at every corner store, we don't want Texans to be losing money that they need for everyday expenses, and we don't want any type of crime that could be associated with gaming. But, if there is a way to create a very professional entertainment option for Texans, Gov. Abbott would take a look at it."

- Office of the Texas Governor

Texas casinos are banned by the state constitution. Legalization requires an amendment approved by Texas voters.

Las Vegas Sands has been pursuing legislative support for a statewide referendum to license a limited number of commercial casinos. According to campaign finance documents, Abbot received a $1 million contribution last month from Dr. Miriam Adelson, the majority stockholder of Las Vegas Sands. Several legislators have also received recent campaign contributions.

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Texas Indian Gaming Wins in Supreme Court

June 20, 2022

The US Supreme Court handed a major victory last week supporting Indian gaming in Texas. In a 5-4 decision the court sided with the Alabama-Coushatta and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribes of Texas over the State of Texas.

Since the 1990s Texas has fought the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo over Class II casino gaming allowed by the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) if the type of gaming is not specifically banned by the state. Class II games are sometimes referred to a "electronic bingo" games. Texas allows charitable bingo games.

The ruling states that Texas cannot prevent tribes from operating electronic bingo games since there is no outright ban of bingo in the state. The decision reaffirms tribal autonomy to regulate non-prohibited gaming and strengthened tribal sovereignty on reservation lands.

"In the end ... we find no evidence Congress endowed state law with anything like the power Texas claims.

"None of this is to say that the Tribe may offer gaming on whatever terms it wishes. The Restoration Act provides that a gaming activity prohibited by Texas law is also prohibited on tribal land as a matter of federal law. Other gaming activities are subject to tribal regulation and must conform to the terms and conditions set forth in federal law."

- Justice Neil M. Gorsuch

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has repeatedly sided with Texas; however, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the most recent case. This case will now go back to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals for further action.

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Las Vegas Sands funds new PAC to legalize Texas casinos

March 3, 2022

Las Vegas Sands is continuing its "long-term commitment" to Texas by launching a new political action committee, Texas Sands PAC, to pursue the legalization of casinos in Texas. The PAC was created in January with $2.3 million in initial funding from Miriam Adelson, Las Vegas Sands' majority stockholder.

A new political effort will build on last year's unsuccessful attempt to open Texas to casino gambling. Texas has the second largest population in the nation and is considered a highly lucrative market for the casino industry; however, current gaming laws are among the most restrictive in the nation.

Texas Sands PAC contributed over $500,000 to more than 30 incumbent candidates in the March 1 primary elections. Thirty thousand dollars was contributed to Pete Flores, the former Republican senator from Pleasanton, and seventy five thousand was given to Gov. Greg Abbott.

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Update: U.S. Supreme Court will hear Texas Indian casino case Feb 22

January 20, 2022

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo v. Texas on Feb. 22, 2022. The court will decide which one of two federal laws governs the gaming operation of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.

Restoration Act 1987
The Texas Restoration Act was approved by Congress in 1987. Under its terms the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes agreed that casino gaming would comply with Texas law. This law supports the Texas position.

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) 1988
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed by Congress in 1988. Under its terms the U.S. Department of Interior can authorize federally-recognized tribes to operate Indian gaming on reservation lands.

Three amicus curiae briefs have been filed. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas face a similar gaming restriction and filed the first amicus brief. Additional briefs have been filed by the National Indian Gaming Association and the Solicitor General's office.

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U.S. Supreme Court will hear Texas Indian casino case

October 31, 2021

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo v. Texas to determine whether the tribe can operate a Class II gaming casino under the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988.

For thirty years the State of Texas has blocked casino gambling on two tribal reservations. The state bases its case on the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribe of Texas Restoration Act passed by Congress in 1987. The act prohibits "gaming activities on their reservations - such as slot-machine gambling - if those activities are prohibited by the laws of Texas".

The decision by the court to take up this case followed the urging of the U.S. Justice Department. News story

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Texas Tribes gain casino support from U.S. Justice Department

September 10, 2021

The U.S. Justice Department is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the State of Texas cases against the Tigua Indians of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (El Paso) and the Alabama-Coushatta of East Texas (Livingston). The acting solicitor general has filed a brief urging the high court review in its next session beginning next month.

The State of Texas has continually filed lawsuits over the past 28 years to stop the two tribes from operating Class II gaming under the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. The Texas court rulings have favored the State, and now the Justice Department is challenging those decisions.

The court brief reads:

"In its 1994 decision in Ysleta I - and in various decisions over the subsequent decades, including the decision below - the court of appeals has erroneously construed the Restoration Act to broadly permit application of state standards to tribal gaming operations on Indian lands, even where the State regulates forms of gaming rather than prohibiting them outright."

- U.S. Justice Department

The third Texas Tribe, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, operates the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel in Eagle Pass, Texas. This tribe was not included in the Restoration Act of 1987 and is not included in this court case.

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Choctaw Casinos partners with Texas Rangers to name 'Choctaw Stadium'

September 5, 2021

Choctaw Casinos & Resorts has signed a 25-year partnership with the Texas Rangers for the naming rights to Globe Life Park in Arlington. Globe Life Park was the home stadium of the Rangers from 1994-2019. The stadium is now named 'Choctaw Stadium'.

The new deal expands the partnership between Choctaw Casinos & Resorts and the Texas baseball team that began in 2010. Choctaw is the 'official casino' of the Rangers with branding at Globe Life Field, the current home of the Rangers located across the street.

"Today's naming rights announcement for Globe Life Park further extends Choctaw's presence in the Arlington Entertainment District, which also includes Globe Life Field and Texas Live!"

- Texas Rangers Chairman Ray Davis

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2021 Texas Casino Bill is Dead

July 3, 2021

What happened to the Texas commercial casino legislation promoted by Sheldon Adelson and Las Vegas Sands with dozens of lobbyists and thousands of TV ads? The Texas House was considering a joint resolution HJR 133 to let Texas voters approve or reject a November ballot measure to authorize commercial casinos in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.

The simply answer is the House committees stalled the legislation and prevented a floor vote before the legislature adjourned for the year. This killed both the casino bill and a sports betting bill for the time being. Both issues may return in the next legislative session.

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U.S. House passes casino bill supporting two Texas tribes

May 17, 2021

Last week the U.S. House of representatives passed a bill to allow two Texas tribes to operate Class II casinos on their reservation land under the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Class II gaming refers to e-bingo slot machines where players win jackpots from other players rather than from the house.

The two tribes supported by the federal bill are the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe in Livingston, Texas and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo in El Paso. Both tribes have fought the State of Texas in court for decades to win the right to operate Class II casinos.

Under the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) all federally-recognized tribes in the United States can operate Class II casinos without state jurisdiction. if the games are legal within the state. Bingo is legal in Texas and that is why the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe has operated e-bingo gambling at its Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass since 1996.

Casino gambling is a different situation for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. Both are federally recognized, however, in 1987 both tribes agreed to prohibit all gambling under the Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act. A year later in 1988 the federal government enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), and ever since the State of Texas has fought to prevent the two tribes from opening Class II casinos under the federal law.

The U.S. House bill bypasses state jurisdiction and allows the two tribes to operate Class II casinos on their lands in accordance with the IGRA. These are the only two tribes in the nation that have been prevented from casinos under the federal law.

The House bill now goes to the Senate where it is expected to face a fierce fight from Texas Sen. John Cornyn. The senator has repeatedly expressed his strong opposition to the bill.

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Texas bill would give voters choice on casino gambling

April 25, 2021

The Texas House is considering a joint resolution HJR 133 that would let voters decide in November whether or not to allow commercial casinos in the state. The bill proposes a limit of four destination casinos to be built in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.

The bill is based on a proposal by Las Vegas Sands, which is promoting the plan with TV ads in the four casino markets specified in the bill.

Texas tribes oppose this bill. A spokesperson for the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas explained:

"If casino gambling is allowed in San Antonio under HJR 133, the tribes gambling community would suffer an enormous economic hit. Players aren't going to drive two and half hours to play the same games they can play much closer to home."

- Jennifer Hughes, Kickapoo Tribe

The Texas Senate has not scheduled a hearing on the joint resolution SJR 49 at this time.

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U.S. House bill supports Texas Indian gaming casinos

April 12, 2021

U.S. House Bill 2208 supports Indian gaming by the Tigua Indians of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. The Tigua Indians operate Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso which was previously an Indian gaming casino until it was closed by the state in 2002. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas operate Naskila Gaming in Livingston which operates Class II slot machines. Both locations have been approved for Indian gaming by the federal government, however, Texas is fighting in court to shut down all casino gambling.

H.R. Bill 2208 is named the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Act. The bill will ensure the Tigua Indians and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe are governed by the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). This is the case with the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, which operate the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass. The bill would allow Class II gaming for both tribes.

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Texas bipartisan bill would legalize casino gambling

March 11, 2021

A proposed bill in the Texas legislature would allow four casino resorts to be open in Texas the major metro areas Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. The plan is derived from a proposal by Las Vegas Sands See article.

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Gambling in Texas? Lawmakers fighting to get casinos in the Lone Star State - Courtesy of 2NewsNow, Mar 10, 2021. Available from YouTube

For this bill to become law, it must pass both houses of the legislature by a two-thirds vote followed by a ballot referendum approved by Texas voters.

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Texas casino legalization sought by Las Vegas Sands

December 14, 2020

Billionaire Sheldon Adelson and his Las Vegas Sands company see Texas as a super huge opportunity for future growth of Sands Casinos. The company is pushing for casino legalization in the upcoming legislative session.

A Sands spokesman told the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association last week:

"Texas is a worldwide destination and one of the top potential markets in the entire world.

"Texas is considered the biggest plum still waiting to be out there in the history of hospitality and gaming."

Sands proposes a limited number of destination resorts near large Texas cities rather than state-wide gambling.

Sheldon and Miriam Adelson have been among the top donators to the Texas Republican Party and donated $4.5 million last September to the Republican State Leadership Committee.

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U.S. House Bill would restore Texas Indian Gaming

May 12, 2019

A bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would protect the Indian gaming rights of two Texas tribes that have long been denied by the state's attorney general.

The bill is HR 759 titled "Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Act of 2019". Ref congress.gov

Texas is home to three federally-recognized Native American tribes. All three have been approved by the U.S. Department of Interior to conduct Indian gaming on their lands under the Indian Gaming Regulatory.

However, the Texas attorney general has spent years and millions of dollars fighting to prevent gaming by two tribes while allowing it for the third tribe. The Texas AG has shut down these Indian casinos:

Speaking Rock Casino operated by the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo

Naskila Gaming operated by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas

Only the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino continues to operate without state interference. The casino is owned by the Traditional Kickapoo Tribe of Texas in Eagle Pass.

Bill HR 759 was introduced by U.S. Rep Brian Babin and do-sponsored by 24 Republicans and Democrats.

SUPPORT THIS BILL
Visit the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe's special website: Support the AC Tribe.

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Texas Bill Would Allow 12 Casino Resorts

March 06, 2019

Many Texas politicians believe the state is losing millions of dollars in potential tax revenues from casino gambling as neighboring states draw Texans into their casinos. Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and soon Arkansas all have full-scale gambling.

Texas has prohibited commercial casinos. There is only one casino in the state, the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle which is Native American and offers only electronic gaming machines.

This week State Rep. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) introduced House Bill 3043 to legalize casino gambling and authorize up to twelve casino resorts.

The bill requires local elections for voter approval before a casino could be built.

"We need to come up with taxing revenue that doesn't come from raising folks' property taxes," Gutierrez said.

The odds of Bill 3043 becoming law are not good. If passed, Governor Greg Abbott (R) would likely veto it. The Governor has publicly opposed casino legislation.

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Texas Expanded Gaming Bill Introduced

November 12, 2014

A new bill has been introduced to Texas state legislature. The bill HJR 47 would create a state gaming commission that would oversee the development of future casinos. The proposed bill would also only allow for casinos to be built at established race tracks and in areas with a population over 675,000.

State Rep carol Alvarado is sponsoring the measure.

Possible casino locations would be in Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Houston, and El Paso.

If approved, the proposed bill will also protect Native America tribes. The tribes have opposed expanding gaming in the pass due to concerns of it causing a decline in business at Eagle Pass Casino. This is currently the only casino in the state.

Groups that are in support of the measure believe that it would help the struggling horse racing industry. They also believe that opening casinos in Texas would stop gamblers from spending their money in other states. Money earned from the casinos would go to fund projects in Texas.

Religious conservative groups oppose the bill. Stating that expanded gaming is not what the people want. Similar gaming bills have been presented before, and have been rejected.

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Gaming Texas Still A Divided Issue With Lawmakers

February 15, 2011

The traditionally conservative state of Texas is debating over gaming issues. States where gaming has been introduced have seen an increase of tax revenues. Amounting in the millions of dollars. Texas lawmakers have started looking at the possibility of allowing for state casinos.

Lawmakers have been discussing the possibility. If gaming was allowed the state of Texas would be able to collect tax revenues. As well as create jobs. The increase of job creation and the increase of money to the state was something that many thought would help the gaming law approval.

However, according to State Rep, Larry Taylor, the votes are not there. It is believed that more discussion will need to take place. More than likely legalizing casinos will not happen this session. Gaming addiction, and elevated crime levels are the main reasons why some lawmakers want to keep gaming legal.

Lobbyist are pushing for both sides of gaming legislation. Each group with a different idea of how to deal with gambling legislation.

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Poll Results: Texans in favor of gambling

January 08, 2011

Reports have shown that the State of Texas is facing a multimillion dollar debt. Some estimates report the debt to be around $20 billion. While many of the state lawmakers promise to not raise taxes, they will start looking at other ways to raise funds. Recently the Star-Telegram newspaper conducted a survey. Amongst other state issues, it showed in favor of gambling expansion to help with state budget issues.

819 people took the survey. Of those people, 45% were in favor. The support is for legalized casinos at racetracks that would operate slot machines. This would include Grand Prairie's Lone Star Park. It would also allow for casinos in urban areas, such as the Metroplex.

Over all, the people polled reported that they were much more in favor of raising revenue for the state instead of budget cuts. Advocates for gambling tried and failed in 2009 to pass legislation to allow for gaming expansion. However with the new poll results, there is a new way for them to pass laws by helping raise money for the state.

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New gaming expansion law to be introduced next month

December 31, 2010

Next month the Texas Gaming Association will be introducing a new gaming expansion bill. This is being done in effort to compensate for state budget deficit. The deficit is estimated to be around $20 million. Law makers see the new bill as a way to increase revenues for the state.

When the bill is presented, it will ask for a constitutional amendment. This amendment will allow for casino resorts to be built throughout the state.

In previous years, similar bills have been presented to state voters. Each time it was rejected. Law makers are hopeful for approval. If passed, it will prevent some budget cuts.

Return to Texas Casinos.

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54 percent of surveyed voters support legalized casino

October 08, 2010

According to a recent poll, Texans may be in support of legalized gambling. The recent KHOU-Belo Texas Poll showed 54% favor for gaming to help the state's government.

People who answered the poll were more in favor of gaming revenues to help pay for state costs then raising taxes. Most of the people polled that were in favor, supported limited video gaming machines and slot machines at race tracks.

The idea of a state income tax or rising sales tax to help the state budget was highly opposed by the participants.

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Texans favor legalized casinos 57%-33%

May 24, 2010

Legalizing gambling in Texas likely is in favor by Texans. A telephone poll was conducted to research the opinions of voters. 500 people were polled. According to a new Rasmussen telephone survey 57% of those surveyed like the idea. 33% of the voters are against it. The remaining 10% of those surveyed are undecided.

The survey was conducted on May 13, 2010. It was operated by Rasmussen Reports. The field work for the survey was conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. The sampling error margin is +/- 4.5%. The confidence level was 95%.

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Chickasaws bid $27 million for bankrupt Grand Prairie horse track

September 29, 2009

DALLAS - A subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation has filed a $27 million bid to buy Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie. The track has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy since March.

Court documents reveal the tribe is asking the court to schedule an auction for October 7. If enacted, a hearing to approve the auction's results could happen in mid-October

The Chickasaw would then need approval from the Texas Racing Commission for a racing license. Texas law requires the majority ownership of a racing license be held by Texas residents, so it is unclear how the majority ownership issue will be handled.

Some gambling insiders say the Chickasaw are more interested in gaming than horse racing. Jack Pratt of the Texas Gaming Association, a lobbying group, said "They certainly didn't buy it to race the ponies. He says the tribe is making its bid "on the basis that they'll get gaming."

The Chickasaw tribe has built its business on casinos, not horse tracks.
They own 15 gaming facilities including WinStar World Casino, the fifth-largest casino in the world, located just north of the Texas border in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

To legalize gaming, Texas legislators must first pass a gaming measure which voters would have to approve by passing a constitutional amendment. The soonest that could happen is 2011.

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Casino gambling bill is dead"

May 18, 2009

AUSTIN - Efforts to legalize casino gambling in Texas have failed in this year's legislative session. State Rep. Edmund Kuempel, R-Seguin said the fight is over. Kuempel is the author of the bill to amend the state constitution to let voters decide whether Texas should allow casinos.

Kuempel said lawmakers were more likely to approve gambling to fill the $9 billion budget void when their only other alternative was to raise taxes, so when $15 billion in federal economic stimulus money came from Washington, the bill sank.

"The stimulus package took some of the sting out of the money crunch we were in this session," Kuempel said.

The failed bill was particularly tough on the Tiguas, whose Speaking Rock Casino was closed by court order in 2001. State Rep. Norma Chávez had authored an earlier bill to reopen the casino but political obstacles seemed too much to overcome this year.

Any measure to amend the constitution requires 100 votes of the 150 House legislators, and casino gambling may be too controversial to ever pass successfully.

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Casino backers have grand plans for Texas

April 14, 2009

AUSTIN - The first House committee hearing on multiple casino gambling bills convened today amid a packed room at the Capitol.

"If we're going to do this, let's do it on such a scale that we get the best bang, the best value, for Texas dollars," said Democratic Rep. Jose Menendez of San Antonio. Menendez and other lawmakers proposed a major resort casino plan to allow slot machines at race tracks and on Native American lands.

Sheldon G. Adelson, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., was the first witness to testify before the House Licensing and Administration Procedures Committee regarding several gaming bills being considered by the Legislature.

Adelson supports a comprehensive bill backed by the Texas Gaming Association that would create 12 Las Vegas-style resort casinos, allow slot machines at horse and dog tracks, and return casino gaming to Indian reservations

"Not all casinos are created equal, destination resort is the way to go,"
said Sheldon Adelson, chairman and chief executive of the Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Adelson told legislators that Texas can be a prime market for large casino resorts that attract convention business with entertainment, restaurants, and shopping. He illustrated his points with large photos of his company's properties including the Venetian and the Palazzo in Las Vegas.
His company and others would be interested in bidding for casino licenses in Texas and said construction money would be available despite the economy.

The Tigua tribe of El Paso and the Alabama-Coushatta tribe of Livingston are both looking to reopen casinos that the state closed in 2002 after a federal court decision. The tribes are supporting their own legislation to reopen their casinos, and they also want to be included in any major bill that includes legalization of their casinos.

House gambling bills in this session include HB1724, HJR70, HB3239, HJR99, HB3235, HB4018.

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Major casino bill introduced in Texas legislature

February 25, 2009

AUSTIN - The influential House Appropriations Chair Jim Pitts filed a new bill Tuesday to legalize 12 destination casinos, reopening of two Texas Indian casinos, and slot machines at racetracks. The tax revenues generated from the bill would allocate $1 billion a year to college scholarships for high-performing students and an additional billion to state transportation projects.

The bill was filed by a strong, bipartisan team of Pitts, Rep. Jose Menendez, Sen. John Carona and Sen. Rodney Ellis. It would amend the state constitution and require a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate followed by a ballot measure for approval by Texas voters.

Recent surveys indicate the public would overwhelmingly vote for it. For instance, the Texas Gaming Association poll shows 68 percent of Texans would vote FOR a constitutional amendment that allows a "limited number of destination resort casinos."

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Galveston eyes casinos to stay afloat

February 24, 2009

GALVESTON - This Texas island city is fighting another hurricane, but this time it is an economic storm. Since hurricane Ike, the town has declined in population by a third down to 45,000. Some city leaders believe the only hope for its economy by be legalized casinos to attract tourists.

"Galveston has to put everything on the table as an answer for an economic recovery," said Allen Flores, president of the merchants association in the historic downtown Strand district. "We're dependent on tourism now more than ever."

Gambling is presently banned in Texas, but several casino-related bills are before the Texas legislature. They are opposed by social conservative groups and Gov. Rick Perry. If any of the bills are enacted by the legislature, the voters of Texas would have final approval.

Supporters point to examples in other Gulf Coast states. Both Mississippi and Louisiana have fiscal budgets that benefit from gaming revenues.

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Bill would legalize Texas Indian casinos

February 20, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas - A legislative bill was filed Tuesday to allow the Tigua tribe in El Paso and the Alabama-Coushatta tribe in Livingston to reopen their casinos. The bill was filed by Rep. Norma Chavez, an El Paso Democrat, to exempt the tribes from prosecution for limited casino gambling. It is the Indian gambling defense to prosecution bill HB 1308.

The Alabama-Coushatta casino and the Speaking Rock Casino were closed in 2002 by court orders. The tribes say they need restoration of their casino revenues for health care, education and other tribal necessities. The Speaking Rock Casino operated from 1993-2001 producing $60 million annually for the Tiguas. The Alabama-Coushatta casino operated for only nine generating $1 million per month for its tribe.

Rep. Chavez filed similar legislation two years ago, but that bill died on a 66-66 tie vote in the House.

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