- More than 1.48 million Texans attempted to log onto sports betting accounts in the state in November
- GeoComply identified more than 177,000 online sports betting accounts in Texas
- The number of online sports betting accounts increased by 87% from November 2023
Despite Texas not have legal sports betting, millions of residents in the Lone Star state are still attempting to access sports betting accounts.
According to GeoComply, a geolocation compliance company, more than 1.48 million geolocation checks in November were made from devices located in Texas attempted to access legal online sportsbooks in other states, all of which were blocked.
Additionally, the company identified more than 177,000 online sports betting user accounts located in Texas, an increase of 87% when compared with the number of accounts in November 2023.
Texans Interested in Sports Betting, Lawmakers Are Not
The data compiled from GeoComply was touted by the Texas Sports Betting Alliance as a key reason for the state legislature to put legalized sports betting up to a public vote in 2025. Texas lawmakers will open up their legislative session on Jan. 14, 2025 and sports betting legalization will likely be discussed again.
GeoComply also provided geolocation check data for October and September, which saw 1.15 million and 1.1 million blocked checks, respectively. In the last three months nearly 4 million attempts were made by Texans to access sportsbooks in other states.
“The data surrounding legalized sports betting in Texas underscores the immense potential for increased tax revenue, job creation, and economic benefits, plus important consumer protections for Texans from risky, unregulated black markets and the personal freedoms enjoyed by the vast majority of Americans. We’re urging the Texas Legislature to take action in January to let Texans play,” Lauren Clay, spokesperson for the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, said in a release.
Despite interest from the public in sports betting, the Texas Senate still poses a huge roadblock to legalization in 2025. During the 2023 session, the Texas House of Representatives approved an online sports betting bill, as well as a bill to legalize through a constitutional amendment, for the first time in the state’s history.
The victory was short lived, however, as it died a quick death in the Senate.
Senate Republicans Not Interested
Despite the House approving a sports betting bill, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), who leads the Texas Senate, quickly threw cold water on any chance the bill would move ahead in his chambers.
Patrick said there was no majority Republican support for sports betting and he would not bring the bill up for a vote in the Senate. There are 31 members in the Texas Senate and the bill needed 21 votes (two-thirds majority) for approval. In 2023, there were 12 Democrat Senators. If all voted for the bill, they’d just need nine Republican votes for two-thirds majority, right?
Well, not exactly. Patrick will not bring a bill to the floor for a unless it has the support of 15 or 16 Republican Senators. If only nine Republican Senators are in favor of one of the bills, it becomes a “Democrat” led bill and Patrick won’t call it to the Senate floor for a vote.
Patrick will still lead the Texas Senate in 2025 and likely will not change his stance on legalized sports betting.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest among many Texans in gaining access to sports betting opportunities. With the popularity of sports betting on the rise across the country, many residents of the Lone Star State are eager to join in on the action.
One of the main reasons why Texans are seeking access to sports betting is the potential for financial gain. Sports betting has become a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States, and many Texans see it as a way to potentially earn some extra income. With the legalization of sports betting in several states, including neighboring states like Oklahoma and Louisiana, many Texans are feeling left out and are eager for their state to follow suit.
Another reason why Texans are interested in sports betting is the entertainment value it provides. For many sports fans, placing bets on games adds an extra layer of excitement and engagement to watching their favorite teams play. It can make even the most mundane game more thrilling and can create a sense of camaraderie among friends who are all rooting for the same outcome.
Despite the growing interest in sports betting among Texans, there are still legal barriers that prevent them from participating in this activity. Currently, sports betting is illegal in Texas, with only limited exceptions such as horse racing and fantasy sports. This has led many Texans to seek out alternative ways to place bets, such as using offshore betting sites or traveling to nearby states where sports betting is legal.
In response to the demand for sports betting in Texas, there have been efforts to legalize the activity in the state. In recent years, several bills have been introduced in the Texas legislature that would allow for the legalization of sports betting. However, these efforts have so far been unsuccessful, with opposition from anti-gambling groups and concerns about potential negative impacts on society.
Despite the challenges, many Texans remain hopeful that sports betting will eventually be legalized in their state. They see it as a way to generate revenue for the state, create jobs, and provide a safe and regulated environment for sports betting enthusiasts to participate in their favorite pastime. Until then, Texans will continue to seek out ways to access sports betting opportunities, whether legally or not.
