Texas! The biggest state in terms of land mass and the second-largest population in the United States. About 30 million people live here, and five of the fifteen major cities are located here. Texas, along with California, is one of the most regulated iGaming jurisdictions in the United States.
It would be a seismic shift in the business if Texas legalizes sports betting. Legal betting access would be available to more individuals than the two largest regulated industries, Pennsylvania and Illinois, combined, in one fell swoop.
Is this possible? Though the state has among of the strictest gaming restrictions in the country, it’s not impossible. The state boasts a large population of sports fans, a long history of gambling, and a law that has already been presented.
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Something strange is happening deep within the state of Texas. It was introduced in the Texas House in 2019 by Democrat Eddie Lucio III. HB 1275 aimed to allow all Texans (and tourists) to place bets on both professional and college sports teams.
Retail wagering, as well as online sports betting on websites and mobile applications, were considered for regulation, allowing trustworthy overseas bookies for TX residents to be found and used safely. It only mentioned five possible licenses for sports betting and specifically ruled out wagering on amateur sports. HB 1275, despite Republican resistance, is still alive and well.
Right now it’s in a precarious position since it hasn’t been allowed to progress without being killed. Modification and implementation may not be difficult should the political situation improve. So, what are the possible variables that may alter the equation? Enter: COVID-19. As a result of the global epidemic, Texas is going to be in need of more funds.
It’s worth noting that although Republicans now control the Texas Upper house, legislation related to sports betting isn’t usually an issue of party politics. As many as tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in income might be generated by the legal sector, according to an estimate.
The Texas House of Reps must approve any law allowing sports betting. At the moment, Republicans have a 55 percent majority and have been staunchly opposed to the notion. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a well-known opponent of gambling, is not likely to back the bill.
It is up to Governor Abbott who can decide whether to sign the measure into law, allow it to sit for ten days and become law absent his signature, or use his veto authority if the House manages to garner a majority vote.
Greg Abbott would be powerless to stop this measure from passing with such a large majority in the Texas legislature that it would override his veto. However, if he doesn’t get two-thirds of the vote, Abbott will have the upper hand until 2023.
Any measure that legalizes internet gambling in Texas is likely to include mobile casino apps. Conventional table games including baccarat, blackjack, roulette and craps are all available, as are video poker machines like the World Series of Poker and the Caribbean Stud Poker series.
Downloading these casino applications via your ios and Android mobile phone is simple, and after the player has registered and made an initial payment, they may be utilized to play real cash casino games.
With mobile casino applications, there’s no need to worry about getting an empty blackjack table or jeopardizing your position on your favorite slot machine.
Potential Texan sports betting might benefit from its prominence as a tourism attraction. With a population of about 30 million people, the state attracts well over 200 million visitors each year.
South by Southwest and other major athletic events have made the state a popular destination for tourists from across the world. Major sporting events are frequently held in Texas. NRG Stadium and AT&T Stadium have held Super Bowls in the recent decade.
There are several reasons to believe that the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four has consistently selected Texas. The Alamodome of San Antonio has hosted the NCAA tournament every 10 years since 1998, while Houston started hosting in 2011 & 2017, and Dallas hosted in 2014.
As a result of attracting these high-profile sporting events, millions of sports fans are traveling to the region to participate. To further enhance the experience, in-person and internet sports gambling during major events will solidify the state as a real destination for both activities and sports betting.
As a result, Texas has a rare opportunity to become the region’s first mover. There are still no sportsbooks in the bordering states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, or New Mexico. Texas would become a major hub for interstate gambling if the state’s internet industry was regulated.
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