- The results of today’s presidential election may have a huge impact on potential legalization of Texas sports betting
- Neither Donald Trump (R) or Kamala Harris (D) have mentioned Texas sports betting, but a cabinet choice for one of them may clear a huge obstacle in the Lone Star State
- Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) is one of the state’s largest barriers to legalized sports betting
The United States will learn who its next president will be when the results of today’s election roll in. Depending on who is elected, it could have a major impact on the potential legalization of sports betting in Texas.
While neither Donald Trump (R) or Kamala Harris (D) have made Texas sports betting much of a priority in their campaigns (understandably) one of their oft-cited potential cabinet choices is a major opponent of the state’s legalization.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) is one of the major opponents of Texas sports betting and could be in line for a cabinet position for Trump if he’s elected president, removing one of the major barriers of legalization for the Lone Star State.
No Patrick, Yes to Sports Betting?
Patrick is one of the largest Trump supporters in Texas, serving as Trump’s Texas state chairman in every presidential cycle since 2016. He’s a constant figure at Trump press conferences, during Trump’s court appearances, and has received a number of endorsements from the former president for his own Texas elections.
Political experts have noted that Patrick is a likely choice to be a part of Trump’s cabinet if he wins. Whether or not the lieutenant governor would accept an invitation is unknown, but if he were to leave Texas it would result in the biggest roadblock to legalized sports betting leaving the state as well.
The Texas Republican Senate leader has not kept his distaste for sports betting a secret. 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.
The Texas Senate will still be controlled by the Republicans for the upcoming 2025 legislative session. However, if Patrick leaves for a cabinet position with Trump, his replacement could potentially be more amenable to discussing new gaming legislation.
House Approved Sports Betting in 2023
But how close is Texas to actually legalizing sports betting? During the 2023 legislative 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 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.
Would a new lieutenant governor be more amenable to bills that may not have majority Republican support to bring up for a vote? It’s unknown at this point, but Patrick’s potential replacement may not be as rigid as their predecessor.
The upcoming presidential election could have a significant impact on the legalization of sports betting in Texas. Currently, Texas does not have any legal sports betting options, but that could change depending on the outcome of the election.
One potential effect of the presidential election on Texas sports betting legalization is the stance of the winning candidate on gambling. Some candidates may be more supportive of legalizing sports betting in Texas, while others may be opposed to it. If a candidate who is in favor of sports betting legalization wins the election, it could pave the way for legislation to be passed in Texas.
Another potential effect of the presidential election on Texas sports betting legalization is the overall political climate in the state. If the winning candidate has a strong political mandate and support from the legislature, it could make it easier to pass legislation legalizing sports betting. Conversely, if the winning candidate faces opposition from lawmakers, it could make it more difficult to legalize sports betting in Texas.
Additionally, the outcome of the presidential election could also impact the Supreme Court, which has the power to overturn laws that prohibit sports betting. If a new justice is appointed who is more supportive of legalizing sports betting, it could open the door for Texas to pass legislation allowing for sports betting.
Overall, the potential effects of the presidential election on Texas sports betting legalization are uncertain, but it is clear that the outcome of the election could have a significant impact on the future of sports betting in the state. Voters and lawmakers will need to closely monitor the election and its implications for sports betting in Texas.
