Dan Patrick’s Gamble: The Complex Landscape of Texas Gambling Legislation
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick recently declared his intention to pursue re-election in 2026, potentially complicating the future of sports betting and casino legalization in the state.
Patrick, who oversees the Texas Senate, has been a consistent roadblock to gambling bills in recent legislative sessions. His position has consistently been that these measures must enjoy a majority support from Republican senators before they can be discussed.
While many in the gambling sector perceive Patrick as a formidable opponent, insights from the Dallas Morning News suggest that his influence might be overstated. Austin-based consultant Mike Lavigne posits that stakeholders should focus more on the overall Senate dynamics rather than solely on Patrick. "If I were the Sands Corporation, I’d be tallying votes in the Senate rather than worrying about Dan Patrick. If they had the necessary votes, Patrick wouldn’t stand in their way," he stated.
As it stands, Patrick is likely to emerge unchallenged in next March’s Republican primary, diminishing expectation for any direct political adversities.
Historical Context of Texas Gambling Initiatives
The Texas legislature convenes biennially, and recent attempts to push through sports betting and casino bills have met swift resistance, largely due to Patrick’s declaration that he wouldn’t entertain these discussions. Earlier this year, a group of twelve House lawmakers explicitly stated their opposition to expanding gambling in any form.
Before this declaration, momentum had appeared to be building for legalizing gambling in 2025, especially following a 2023 effort that saw sports betting pass through the House with a two-thirds majority. Securing gambling expansion, however, hinges on a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers and approval from Texas voters.
After the House’s successful passage in 2023, Patrick swiftly quashed any hopes for sports betting advancement with a statement on Twitter, emphasizing that the Senate would not progress bills where Republicans are in the minority.
"Texas is a red state," he tweeted. "Yet the House vote on sports betting was led by a Democratic majority. The Texas Senate doesn’t pass bills without a GOP majority."
Ongoing Advocacy for Gambling Expansion
Despite the hurdles, Governor Greg Abbott has expressed no reservations about gambling expansion. A University of Houston survey found that approximately 60% of Texans back online sports betting. Should legalization occur, Texas could potentially emerge as the largest legal sports betting market in the nation.
The Texas Sports Betting Alliance, which represents major sportsbook entities and the state’s professional sports franchises, is actively working to shift legislative sentiment. High-profile team owners, including Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, have engaged in efforts to influence Patrick’s stance.
Heading into the current legislative session, substantial financial resources poured into Texas from gambling interests. Notably, Las Vegas Sands owner Miriam Adelson contributed nearly $14 million to legislators in 2024, having acquired a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks the previous year.
Despite these financial contributions, Patrick has reiterated his stance, citing a lack of widespread support and noting that the Texas GOP platform traditionally opposes gambling expansion.
In November 2024, Patrick remarked to WFAA about the millions spent by gambling advocates: "They think it magically happens. It doesn’t."
In summary, while Dan Patrick has positioned himself as a key figure in the fight against gambling expansion, understanding the broader Senate landscape and the fluctuating opinions within Texas may be crucial for those advocating for change.