Texas lawmaker proposes 2027 vote on casino gaming and sports betting
Regulation2 min read
Texas Republican lawmaker Charlie Geren has introduced a constitutional amendment that would let voters decide on casino gaming and sports betting on 2 November 2027, the proposal's media coverage reported. It would permit up to 10 casinos, require operator licences and cap taxes on casino and sports betting revenue at 15%; two-thirds of each legislative chamber must approve it before the vote can proceed.
Texans could decide whether to permit and regulate casino gaming and sports wagering under a constitutional amendment introduced by Charlie Geren, a Republican lawmaker from Fort Worth. The proposal schedules the public vote for 2 November 2027.
Approval would bind future legislation to conditions in the proposal, according to the article. The state could have no more than 10 casino properties, with each initially licensed for at least 40 years. Lawmakers could regulate both forms of gambling, decide where they are allowed and oblige operators to obtain licences and pay application fees. Casino gaming would be restricted to licensed premises, precluding online casinos in the state.
Casino and sports betting revenue would face a tax of up to 15%, while state and local governments could not add gambling-specific taxes beyond those set out in law. The proposal would also oblige Texas to conduct good-faith negotiations on gaming compacts with its three federally recognised tribes, opening a formal route to Class III gaming on existing tribal lands.
Previous attempts to legalise casinos and sports betting in Texas have repeatedly stalled, with the Senate often seen as the main obstacle despite greater willingness in the House to debate expansion. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who was widely seen as resistant to expansion, has left office. His successor, Vikki Goodwin, said she was ambivalent about gambling but willing to put the question to Texas voters.
HJR 52 is only a first step. The proposal still needs to clear the two-thirds threshold in both chambers before Texans can vote on it.