- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) recently spoke favorably on legalized sports betting
- Appearing on the Texas Take podcast, Abbott said he has no problem with legalized Texas sports betting
- A recent University of Houston poll shows a majority of state residents also favor legalized sports betting
Texas sports betting has seemingly picked up a powerful ally, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) recently said on a Texas podcast that he has no problem with legalized sports betting.
Appearing on the Texas Take podcast with Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, and Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace, Abbot said he would not be surprised if state residents were already betting on sports through unregulated methods.
The Houston Chronicle first reported the news.
“I don’t have a problem with online sports betting,” Abbot said during the podcast.
Governor Supports Sports Betting, But Lt. Gov. Does Not
The legalization of Texas online sports betting will likely be a hot topic during the Lone Star State’s legislative session.
Abbott said sports betting seems to be a common practice in this day and age for many citizens who watch sports.
“The reality is, I would be shocked if there are not some Texans who do it already. It’s a very common practice and it seems to be part of the entertainment that goes along when you’re watching a football game, especially pro football, or other types of sports and things like that. I don’t have a problem with that,” he said.
It’s a marked difference from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), one of the state’s biggest opponents for legalized sports betting.
During the state’s 2023 legislative session, Patrick mentioned several times he was not a fan of legalized sports betting or casinos in the state, and noted he would not bring up any bills in the Senate for a vote unless they had majority Republican support.
“I’ve said repeatedly there is little to no support for expanding gaming from Senate GOP. I polled members this week. Nothing changed. The senate must focus on issues voters expect us to pass. We don’t waste time on bills without overwhelming GOP support. HB1942 won’t be referred. #txlege,” Patrick wrote on X in 2023.
But Patrick may be opposing the majority of Texas residents, who according to a recent poll support he legalization of sports betting in the state.
Poll Shows Voter Support for Sports Betting
According to a recent poll from the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, a majority of Texas residents support legalized sports betting and land-based casinos.
The survey featured 1,200 respondents and was conducted from Jan. 13 to 21, 2025, in English and Spanish, via a YouGov panel of Texas adults.
According to the results, 73% of respondents favor the legalization of destination and resort casinos, 60% favor the legalization of online sports betting, and 56% favor legalized sports betting in Texas stadiums and arenas.
Overall, 64% of Democrats and 59% of Republicans support legalized online sports betting.
“Texas is surrounded by states which already allow casino gambling, and several have legalized or eased marijuana regulations,” Renée Cross, researcher and senior executive director of the Hobby School, said in the results. “Proponents of both legalized gambling and legalized marijuana argue Texans are taking money that could be spent here out of state.”
A recent poll conducted by the University of Houston and Texas Governor Greg Abbott has revealed a surprising level of support for the legalization of sports betting in the state. The poll, which surveyed over 1,000 Texans, found that 62% of respondents were in favor of allowing sports betting in Texas.
This marks a significant shift in public opinion on the issue, as just a few years ago, support for sports betting was much lower. The growing popularity of sports betting in other states, such as New Jersey and Nevada, has likely played a role in changing attitudes towards the practice.
Governor Abbott has previously been opposed to the legalization of sports betting in Texas, citing concerns about potential negative impacts on society. However, the poll results may prompt him to reconsider his stance on the issue.
Supporters of sports betting argue that it could provide a much-needed boost to the state’s economy, generating revenue for both the government and local businesses. They also point to the fact that many Texans are already participating in illegal sports betting, and that legalizing and regulating the practice could help to protect consumers and ensure fair play.
Opponents of sports betting, on the other hand, raise concerns about the potential for increased problem gambling and addiction. They also worry about the impact that widespread sports betting could have on the integrity of sports competitions.
Ultimately, the decision on whether or not to legalize sports betting in Texas will be up to state lawmakers. However, the results of this poll suggest that there is growing public support for the practice, which could influence the debate on the issue in the coming months.
