Democratic victories in Texas, including Vikki Goodwin's defeat of longtime gambling opponent Dan Patrick, have drawn attention to the potential implications for gambling legislation.
CNBC reported that multiple gaming CEOs took notice of how the midterm election results have created new opportunities to expand gambling in the US.
As Global Gaming Insider already wrote, Dan Patrick's departure from the Texas Lieutenant Governor position comes as welcome news for the industry. The Lieutenant Governor holds significant influence. Patrick has historically been one of Texas' most prominent opponents of gambling expansion.
Incoming Lieutenant Governor Vikki Goodwin supports putting casino expansion and sports betting to a public vote.
Major operators see Texas as a significant untapped gambling market
Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings noted he sees opportunities in Texas.
“Texas is a fascinating market,” Billings said, noting that many consumers travel to Oklahoma to gamble at tribal casinos. “So it’s kind of a stealth market that is giant.”
At the same time, Penn has been building a position in Texas for years, its CEO Jay Snowden revealed.
Penn operates two of the state's three Class 1 thoroughbred racetracks and has established relationships with local leaders.
Snowden said Penn plans to spend more time in Texas and, if lawmakers move toward legalization, expects the company to be “positioned as well, if not better than really anybody in the sector.”
Tilman Fertitta, owner of Golden Nugget casinos and Wynn Resorts’ largest investor, who is also in the process of buying Caesars to take it private, told CNBC, “Of course I want gaming in Texas!”
Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that Miriam Adelson and Las Vegas Sands have been eyeing Dallas for a while now. The family has spent approximately $29m on Texas political activity related to casino legalization, but its efforts have faced strong opposition, particularly from Patrick.
Constitutional hurdles could slow expansion efforts
Global Gaming Insider examined last week what the political shift could mean for Texas and the prospects of gambling expansion.
When lawmakers return in January 2027, gambling legalization advocates will need to build support among enough lawmakers from both parties. In Texas, expanding gambling would require changing the state constitution. This requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate before the proposal can go to voters.
While it might be a difficult task to secure such a majority with lawmakers in a state where conservative values predominate, the latest political shifts have given gambling expansion advocates renewed momentum and brought some of the industry's biggest players firmly behind the effort.
Goodwin expressed openness to a broader discussion on casino development, without committing to specific locations or operators
