Casino Texas Legislature Considering A Measure Legalizing Casino Gambling

A measure that would establish a Texas Gaming Commission and that would allow that commission to establish casino gambling in resort areas, cities with more than 675,000 people and existing pari-mutuel horse tracks, has been introduced to the state legislature. The bill HJR 47 is sponsored by State Rep. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston), according to Newsradio 1200 WOAI.

The proposed population limit would allow for casino gambling to be established in Dallas, Ft. Worth, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. Alvarado’s measure also seeks protection for Indian tribes, who have traditionally opposed expanded casino gambling because it would draw crowds away from Eagle Pass, the state’s only current operational casino.

Supporters of casinos cite the struggles of the pari-mutuel horse racing industry, and the drawing of consumer money away from the state to casinos in New Mexico, Louisiana and especially Las Vegas. They say that this Texan money is going to benefit the government projects of those states, and that they would prefer Texans spend their money in Texan casinos to help fund Texan government projects.

Others, mainly religious conservatives and others unconvinced of gambling’s benefit to the government, say that gambling expansion’s time has passed. Rob Kohler, a lobbyist for the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, told WOAI that “the people did vote, they voted last week, and the people they sent to the House, the Senate, and elected as Governor are not people who think casino gambling would be a good idea.” He remained confident that this legislature, like the others which have shot down similar measures, would rule against gambling.

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