Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he had no objection to online sports betting in the state. A University of Houston study cited in the report found 60% of Texans supported legalisation; the source says a constitutional change would require approval by two-thirds of both legislative chambers before a public vote.
Operators and lawmakers face a proposed route to legalisation that would require legislative and voter approval.
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Democrats Gina Hinojosa and Vikki Goodwin defeated Republican incumbents Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick in Texas, prompting renewed discussion of sports betting, according to reports. Goodwin supports putting online sports betting and iGaming to voters, but two-thirds majorities in both Republican-controlled legislative chambers are required before a ballot vote.
Democrats Gina Hinojosa and Vikki Goodwin unseated Republican incumbents Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Tuesday. Their wins raised hopes that the Lone Star State might take another look at online sports betting.
Texas sports betting and casino legislation could be affected by the lieutenant governor election on 3 November, according to the report. Dan Patrick has said gambling expansion needs majority support from Senate Republicans; in 2023, he declined to advance a sports betting amendment passed by the House. Vikki Goodwin supports letting voters decide on casinos and online sports betting.
According to the report, the future of Texas sports betting and casino legislation could hinge on the lieutenant governor race held on November 3. Dan Patrick, the Republican lieutenant governor, is the favorite on prediction markets to win another term against Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin. As of Monday, Kalshi placed Patrick's chance at 75% and Polymarket at 77%, although trading volume in that market was small.
The Texas Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on whether the state could limit prediction-market platforms offering sports event contracts, according to the reported account. American Gaming Association vice-president Tres York urged legal action against the operators, while Kalshi legal and compliance head Robert DeNault argued that advertising limits, risk disclosures and protections for younger customers could address concerns without a ban.
Eilers & Krejcik Gaming said prediction markets operating in Texas may not persuade lawmakers to approve sports betting, according to its report. The analysts said lawmakers could instead regulate sports prediction markets directly or wait for a potential US Supreme Court ruling before acting; Texas policymakers are expected to consider sports betting legislation in 2027.
Reportedly, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick wants to restrict prediction markets offering sports wagers. He describes the provisions permitting those wagers as loopholes and wants to close them.