Key points:
- The Governor said he supports a legal market and has “no problem” with welcoming online sports betting
- Texas has no laws on the books right now that allow for gambling expansion
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has publicly voiced his support for legalized gambling expansion within the Lone Star State, according to a local report in the Houston Chronicle.
He said during an exclusive interview with a local podcast that he “does not have a problem with online sports betting.”
Abbott added, “The reality is that I’d be shocked if there were not some Texans that do it already.”
Sports Betting Alliance President Jeremy Kudon told local news that he is pleased with the governor’s response to a potential legal market.
He commented, "We appreciate the governor's comments because this echoes what we're hearing from Texans.
"They want the opportunity to vote on legalizing sports betting and putting in place a strong, regulatory framework that protects consumers and boosts revenue in the state."
In related news, independent research firm Eilers & Krejcik recently released a study showing that a legal sports betting market in Texas could be advantageous for the Lone Star State.
Good to know: The Texas Constitution currently does not allow statewide gambling expansion
The firm’s findings estimate that Texas sports betting could bring another 8,000 jobs to the state and generate more than $360m in direct tax revenue.
Since the US Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting, 39 states and the District of Columbia have moved to legalize sports wagering in their territories.
To date, mobile sports betting is legal in 30 states.
