Texas Sports Betting Dreams Fade as Opposition Grows
Texas stands at a crossroads in 2025, with the push to legalize sports betting hitting a wall in the state legislature. Despite early optimism and a 2023 House victory, the latest efforts to bring regulated wagering to the Lone Star State are teetering on the brink of collapse. A shifting political landscape, staunch resistance from key figures, and a fractured coalition have left advocates scrambling for a lifeline.
New Faces, Old Foes
The Texas House of Representatives, once a beacon of hope for sports betting supporters, has turned into a battleground. In 2023, a bill to legalize online sports wagering sailed through with 101 votes, a fragile but promising win.
Fast forward to today, and that momentum has evaporated. Twelve new Republican lawmakers, replacing pro-betting predecessors, have drawn a firm line in the sand. In a public statement, they vowed to oppose “any attempt to expand gambling” during this session.
Adding fuel to the fire, three returning representatives who backed the 2023 bill have flipped their stance. Among them is Rep. J.M. Lozano, a vocal supporter of both sports betting and casinos two years ago, who now pledges to vote against any gambling expansion.
This shift alone cost the pro-betting camp over a dozen votes, dismantling the delicate majority that once carried the day. The group even fired off a letter to Rep. Ken King, chair of the House State Affairs Committee, urging him not to “waste the committee’s time on an issue that’s dead on arrival.”
The Senate Roadblock
Even if the House could rally, the Texas Senate looms as an impenetrable fortress. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a longtime gambling opponent, holds the keys to what reaches the Senate floor, and he’s not budging. In 2023, Patrick blocked the House-approved bill from advancing, arguing it lacked majority Republican support in his chamber. His stance hasn’t softened in 2025. With Patrick calling the shots, Senate consideration remains a pipe dream for betting advocates.
Not all hope is lost, or so some lawmakers believe. Rep. Sam Harless and Sen. Juan Hinojosa are betting on a different play: a constitutional amendment. Their proposal, Senate Joint Resolution No. 65, would let voters decide the fate of sports betting on November 4, 2025.
If passed by two-thirds of both chambers, the measure would greenlight wagering through specific operators, like pro sports teams active before January 1, 2025, or tracks hosting top-tier horse racing. It’s a bold move, but clearing the legislative hurdle looks daunting given the current opposition.
Early Promise Derailed
Just months ago, the stars seemed aligned for sports betting in Texas. Lobbyists poured millions into the cause, buoyed by a University of Houston poll showing 60% of Texans favor online wagering. Even Gov. Greg Abbott signaled openness, saying he had “no objections” to the idea. But that enthusiasm has fizzled. Patrick’s unwavering resistance, coupled with the House’s growing anti-gambling bloc, has turned a once-promising campaign into an uphill slog.
Legal sports betting could unlock a goldmine for the state. Experts estimate it could generate hundreds of millions in annual revenue, funneling cash into public projects while keeping pace with neighbors like Louisiana and Oklahoma, where betting thrives.
For fans, it’s a chance to wager legally on the Dallas Cowboys or Houston Astros without crossing state lines. Yet, with 14 lawmakers now firmly against it, including those who’ve reversed course, the numbers just don’t add up. The House needs 100 votes for a constitutional amendment, and it’s falling short.
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