Two Bills Introduced to Legalize Texas Sports Betting

• Lawmakers introduced two resolutions to legalize Texas online sports betting
• One legalizes sports betting on its own, the second legalizes sports betting and casinos
• Both need to be approved by Texas voters before becoming legal

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Sports betting hopes, are big and bright ::clap clap clap clap:: deep in the heart of Texas.

Two members of the Texas House of Representatives introduced two separate bills to legalize sports betting in the Lone Star state, with both measures requiring voter approval in the November 2025 general election.

One bill attempts to legalize sports betting on its own, and the second bill includes sports betting in a law that legalizes casinos in the state.

Casinos and Sports Betting in Texas

Rep. Charlie Geren (R-99) introduced HJR 137, a bill to legalize casinos and sports betting. The bill requires a constitutional amendment to be approved by state voters in the November 2025 election if it makes its way through the two legislative bodies.

His bill will allow up to 10 licensed casinos, as well as establishing a process for the state to execute a tribal-state gaming compact with the three federally recognized Texas tribes to also open casinos.

The bill does not include details on what will define casino gaming or sports betting, it also does not set any licensing fees for either activities. It only notes that the “law must define the activities that constitute casino gaming and sports wagering; require licenses and license application fees for casino gaming and sports wagering operators; determine where licensed casino facilities may be located and where sports wagering may be conducted.”

It does set the casino gaming and sports betting tax rate at 15%.

Additionally, Rep. Sam Harless (R-126) introduced HJR 134, a bill to only legalize sports betting. Similarly to HJR 137, the bill sets the sports betting tax rate at 15% and requires voter approval in November.

Harless’s legislation allows the following institutions to hold a sports betting license:

• A professional Texas sports betting franchise
• A golf course that has held sanctioned annual professional golf tournaments as part of a national tour of professional golfers prior to Jan. 1, 2025
• A class 1 racetrack

Uphill Battle for Texas Sports Betting

As expected, sports betting legalization is already a hot topic during the state’s legislative session. Despite the flurry of activity, and the fact that the House of Representatives approved a sports betting bill in 2023, sports betting faces a tough road towards approval.

The biggest obstacle? Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), who leads the Texas Senate, and the Republicans in the chamber will likely stomp out any chance a bill has to be approved.

Patrick blocked a vote on the bill in 2023 in the Senate, noting that the bill did not have majority Republican support, so it would not be voted on.

He specifically noted that he would not bring a bill to the floor for a vote unless it had the support of 15 or 16 Republican Senators. If only nine Republican Senators are in favor of a bill, he said, it becomes a “Democrat” led bill and will not be called to the floor for a vote.

The 31 member Senate is still controlled by 20 Republican Senators.

Gov. Abbott Approves of Sports Betting

Despite the bills’ opponents, Texas sports betting does have one heavy-hitting proponent in its corner.

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.

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.

Texans Attempting to Bet on Sports Already

According to GeoComply, a geolocation compliance company, more than 1.48 million geolocation checks were made in November from devices located in Texas, in which users attempted to access legal online sportsbooks in other states.

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.