Texas Gambling Bill: Letting Voters Decide on Casinos and Sports Betting

Texas Lawmaker Proposes Landmark Bill to Let Voters Decide on Casinos and Sports Betting

State Representative Charlie Geren has introduced legislation for the upcoming session, paving the way for a potential constitutional amendment on expanded gambling in Texas.

Pushing for Regulation and Overcoming Legislative Hurdles

State Rep. Charlie Geren proposed legislation on Monday, Nov. 9, that would expand gambling in Texas if approved by voters as a constitutional amendment. While the Lone Star State currently features a state lottery, horse and greyhound racing, and a few tribal casinos, most forms of gambling remain illegal.

Geren’s proposed bill would empower the legislature to authorize and strictly regulate casino gambling and sports wagering. “If they say ‘no,’ then we’re done with it forever,” Geren remarked, noting that if voters approve the ballot measure, “We can move forward.” Geren has filed similar legislation in recent years.

Monday marked the opening day of bill filing for the upcoming legislative session. Thousands of bills are filed every session, with the majority failing to become law, and past efforts to expand casinos and legalize sports betting have frequently floundered. The Texas Senate—previously led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican who lost his reelection bid—has long been viewed as a primary obstacle to expanded gambling. Although Democrats have gained control of the House, Republicans maintain control of the Senate. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin has expressed openness to letting voters decide, telling media partner WFAA, “I’m ambivalent on gambling... I would be willing to put it up to a vote of Texans.”

Strict Limits and the Proposed November 2027 Ballot Measure

Under Geren’s proposed bill, lawmakers would establish comprehensive regulations surrounding sports betting and casino gaming, specifying the exact number and location of permitted facilities. The bill explicitly stipulates that legislators must limit the total number of casino gaming licenses and locations—with initial terms of at least 40 years—to no more than 10 licensed facilities statewide. State Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Democrat from Houston, has reportedly filed a similar bill in the Senate, though the full text was not yet available online as of Monday evening.

If passed in its current form, voters will see the following constitutional amendment on the ballot in November 2027:

“The constitutional amendment to permit the Legislature, by general law, to authorize and regulate casino gaming and sports wagering at a limited number of locations in this state, require licenses and license application fees for operators, and impose a tax on casino gaming and sports wagering revenue.”