The latest numbers from a University of Houston poll show Texans not only strongly support legalizing destination casino resorts, but a majority also want the state to allow online sports betting.
According to the poll, 73% support destination resort casinos, and 60% want to legalize online sports betting. Both have bipartisan support. Seventy-four percent of Texas Democrats and 72% of Republicans support casinos, while 64% of Democrats and 59% of Republicans want online sports gambling.
The vehicle for making both legal would be through Senate Joint Resolution 16, filed by state Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston). Unlike a simple bill filed, the passage of a joint resolution doesn’t need the governor’s signature. If passed by two-thirds of the Texas House and Senate, it would be up to the Texas voters to decide whether to legalize gambling. The proposal would allow for seven casino resort locations scattered across some of the state’s largest metro areas, as well as the legalization of sports betting.
“This would be, I think, a real boost to our economy, creating thousands and thousands of jobs,” Alvarado said.
In 2023, legalizing gambling came down to House Bill 2843, which passed the Texas House but failed to get the votes in the state Senate.
University of Houston Political Scientist Mark Jones conducted the survey. He’s not very optimistic lawmakers will send Joint Resolution 16 to the voters “because we have a budget surplus, not a budget deficit and so the need to tap gambling for both the fees these casinos will pay, which are in the billions (of dollars) as well of the additional tax revenue is less urgent.”
As in 2023, the legislation legalizing gambling has the support of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
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