Vikki Goodwin backs a Texas vote on gambling legalisation
Regulation2 min read
Texas Lieutenant Governor-elect Vikki Goodwin said she favours putting gambling legalisation to a public vote. State Representative Charlie Geren has filed a resolution proposing a 2 November 2027 referendum on casino gaming and sports betting, with limits including a maximum of 10 casinos and a 15% tax cap on gross gaming revenue.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Vikki Goodwin wants voters to decide whether to legalise gambling in the state. She said she did not take a position for or against changing its gambling laws.
State representative Charlie Geren is among those seeking new gambling legislation. Geren has filed House Joint Resolution 52, which would put casino gaming and sports betting to a public vote on 2 November 2027. The bill would require the state government to keep the maximum number of casinos to 10, cap tax at 15% of gross gaming revenue and bar additional taxes. It would also require the government to define the activities, set up licensing, determine venue locations and restrict casino gaming to physical premises. A compact with the state's tribal gaming operators would also be required. Goodwin was not asked specifically about the bill.
An earlier constitutional amendment effort on casinos and sports betting, led by the Fort Worth representative in 2023, encountered opposition from Dan Patrick. During his term, Patrick suggested he would back gambling legislation only with overwhelming Republican support in the Senate.
A prediction market bill submitted by Democratic state representative Salman Bhojani focuses on consumer protections rather than banning sports event contracts. House Bill 598 would prohibit certain markets tied to events including natural disasters, disease, war, terrorism, death, criminality and immigration enforcement. It would also set the minimum trading age at 21 and limit advertising directed at people below that age.
Goodwin said she had heard concerns about prediction markets but was not as familiar with them. She said those concerns included their prevalence, ease of access by phone and the possibility of young people going overboard. Goodwin said she wanted to work with senators on the issue and introduce regulation if necessary.
Goodwin defeated Republican incumbent Patrick to become the first Democrat since 1999 and the first woman to take the lieutenant governor's office. In 2025, she expressed support for personal freedom and responsibility, saying friends travelled out of Texas to gamble.
The lieutenant governor presides over the Senate. Some powers of the office come from the constitution and others from chamber rules adopted under Patrick's leadership. After losing his race, Patrick suggested changing those rules to strip some powers from the office; Republicans retained a 19-12 tilt in the state Senate. Goodwin said senators had been cordial in their conversations and none had told her personally that they intended to strip her powers.