AUSTIN — A Texas House committee is scheduled to hear bills Wednesday that would expand gambling, offering a first chance at public comments this session.
Multiple bills and resolutions would legalize mobile sports betting or allow for destination casinos in Texas, including in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Plano GOP Rep. Jeff Leach is carrying the digital sports betting bill. That bill is backed by the Sports Betting Alliance, a collective that includes prominent sportsbook operators and all Texas’ major professional athletic teams and their owners, including Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
Former Gov. Rick Perry is the group’s spokesperson.
Leach’s bill would allow Texans to place bets via mobile apps like Draft Kings or FanDuel, some of the most popular sports betting apps in the country. Currently, 33 states and the District of Columbia allow for legal sports betting, and 24 of those allow online betting.
The bill places a 10% tax rate on the gambling revenue, which would be among the lowest tax rates in the country. Opponents also worry about a potential rise in gambling addiction.
The other bill is being carried by Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, and would allow companies authorized by the state to build “destination resorts” that would include casinos. Kuempel’s bill would also legalize sports betting at the Legislature’s discretion.
All the gambling bills are constitutional amendments that require two-thirds support of the House and Senate and also would need to be approved by Texas voters in November to take effect
House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, and Gov. Greg Abbott have also expressed interest in expanding gambling.