Will Casino Gambling and Resorts Be Coming To Texas Soon?

If you've been paying attention to some of the moves and announced meetings in Texas, one would think that casino gambling is on its way to the Lone Star State. But is it really? Will Texans really be able to visit a casino in Dallas or Houston in the next few years?

Depending on who you ask, the answer changes between "no", "maybe", and "yes".

The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board recently published a piece calling for a robust debate over casino gambling while stating that casinos in Texas are not inevitable. And they are correct.

What is the Future of Casino Gambling In Texas?

Texans may very well be going to casino's in Texas in the future, but it seems unlikely that it will happen any time soon. The biggest obstacle for casino gambling in Texas, is one of the states most, if not the most, powerful elected official, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. Patrick has been firmly against expanding gambling in Texas and if the majority of Republican Senators say no to casinos, a bill to legalize casinos won't be heard.

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While the Las Vegas Sands is dumping a lot of money into Texas politics to sway lawmakers, so far they haven't gotten to Patrick. It's believed that the Governor and current Speaker may be open to some expansion of gambling, but until a plan is actually put on paper we don't know what exactly they would support.

Where Would Casino's Be Allowed?

Here's another problem. Where exactly would casinos be "allowed"? In the past, plans only allowed for a handful of casinos in larger cities. So that would mean no casinos in West Texas or the Panhandle.

Some have criticized that plan as the state picking winners and losers while others have said that they only way casino gambling passes is if its put in the larger cities.

Don't Bet On Casino Gambling Anytime Soon

While the Las Vegas Sands, Mark Cuban, and other organizations are all in on casino gambling popping up in Texas, the math (votes) and even plans just don't add up yet. While the issue may come up in the Texas Legislature in 2025, it's likely to get more debate on radio talk shows and on social media than in the House or Senate.