A survey conducted by the Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation (TXHPF) suggests there’s notable support in the state for the legalization of online sports betting and casino gaming.
Just under half of respondents in the survey (47%), which polled 1,600 Texas voters from April 5-10, were in support of Texas online sports betting legalization. Another 37% opposed the legalization of sports betting apps, while 16% said they didn’t have an opinion.
More than half (56%) of likely voters said they support the legalization of destination resort casinos in Texas, including 52% of female respondents.
“Since the reauthorization of parimutuel betting in Texas in 1991, various members of the Texas Legislature have endeavored to expand Texas-based gaming in some form or other, with the most recent initiatives being in the sports gaming and destination resort casino gaming sectors,” TXHPF chairman and CEO Jason Villalba said in a press release. “Given the results of this survey, it is clear that the public appetite for additional gaming opportunities now matches the political appetite, not only with traditional supporters of gaming, but also with church-going Texans and women — that is a major change from what we have seen in recent legislative cycles.”
Interestingly, the support for retail sportsbooks at professional sports venues was more muted. While 41% of respondents said they’d support retail books at pro sports venues, another 42% opposed the change.
2025 movement possible
Texas legislators have attempted to legalize online sports betting in previous years without success. Bill Pascrell III, partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group, believes 2025 could bring a change.
“All eyes will be on Texas next year,” Pascrell told Sports Handle. “I think there’s a really good chance. Although, I’m not saying it’s bulletproof, but Texas can go next year for sports betting.”
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For betting operators, legalization in Texas and California represents two major opportunities for growth given their massive populations and rich professional sports history.
The two states are particularly valuable in the industry, with Hard Rock Bet holding a sports betting monopoly in Florida, the third-most populous state in the country behind California and Texas.
Although there’s some optimism about the future of sports wagering in Texas, California sports betting legalization hardly looks imminent. It may take several years for online sports betting to be legalized in California.