Texas sports betting PL moves to Senate (1)
Texas sports betting PL moves to Senate

After a third reading by the Texas House of Representatives, the state’s sports betting bill heads to the Senate. House Joint Resolution ‘HJR 102’ and Representative Jeff Leach’s Bill ‘HB 1942’ now go to the Senate.

HJR 102 received 101 out of a possible 143 votes during the poll last Thursday, May 11th. Its enabling legislation, HB 1942, passed by 82 votes to 51. However, the sports betting bill’s fate for the Senate is certain. If passed by a two-thirds vote, the legislation would require a statewide public vote on Nov. 7 to amend the Texas Constitution, which bans most gambling.

The proposed laws will allow for the legalization of online sports betting through professional Texas sports teams. If approved, WNBA, MLS, MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises in the state will be eligible for online sports betting licenses.

Leach’s bill sets the tax rate on online sports betting at 10% of adjusted gross sports betting income, and each license will cost $500,000. The bill is supported by the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, which includes professional sports franchises, sports leagues, racetracks and sports betting platforms.

In addition to sports betting, casinos are also studied in Texas legislation

The legislation to allow a referendum for casinos ‘HJR 155’ by Deputy Charlie Geren and its enabling legislation ‘HB 2843’ by Deputy John Kuempel – received 92 votes in favor and 55 votes against in its second reading, which means that they are eight more “yes” votes were needed to move them to the Senate.

Geren’s legislation proposes allowing gaming companies to apply for permits to build seven high-end “destination resorts” in Texas. Locations would include two in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, two in the Houston area, and one each in San Antonio, Corpus Christi and McAllen.

The legislation would allow casino gambling and sports betting at the resorts. A Texas Gaming Commission would be created to regulate the activity. The bill would impose a 15% tax on the gross casino gaming revenue of each casino license holder.