Bill introduced to legalize casinos and sports betting in Texas



A legislative push is underway in Texas looking to give voters a say on legalizing sports betting and casino gaming in the state.

State politicians are preparing to head into the next legislative session in 2023. In anticipation, bills are being introduced. One of those is a constitutional amendment to legalize casinos and sports betting. The bill was submitted by state Senator Carol Alvarado out of the Houston area.

The amendment would create the Texas Gaming Commission to be the regulatory agency. It would establish four casino resorts in major Texas cities that have over two million people. The bill specifies there are different levels to gaming licenses and a lower license would allow gambling in smaller cities across Texas.

A couple Corpus Christi City Council members agreed the legalization of gambling could be a benefit to the community.

State politicians are preparing to head into the next legislative session in 2023. In anticipation, bills are being introduced. One of those is a constitutional amendment to legalize casinos and sports betting. The bill was submitted by state Senator Carol Alvarado out of the Houston area.

The amendment would create the Texas Gaming Commission to be the regulatory agency. It would establish four casino resorts in major Texas cities that have over two million people. The bill specifies there are different levels to gaming licenses and a lower license would allow gambling in smaller cities across Texas.

A couple Corpus Christi City Council members agreed the legalization of gambling could be a benefit to the community.

“We’ve always had an issue funding our education," said Barrera. "We’ve had issues funding our roads, a lot of our infrastructure. Right now a big challenge that we’re facing here in Corpus Christi is water.”

“There are a lot of other issues within the city that hopefully could be addressed with it," Martinez said. "Some of our homeless issues that we have here hopefully could be dealt with some of that money. As well as some mental health issues.”

What negatives could be associated with the introduction of gambling?

Barrera said game rooms have always been a problem by attracting criminal behavior. But he believes if there's regulation on gambling, it would cut down on the attraction of crime.

Martinez believes funds raised could be used to address any negative outcomes.

“With the money that we do get, I think that it’s important that the issues that could arise with gambling, gambling addiction, depression, things like that are properly addressed," Martinez said. "And, that there are resources that are available in the event that does happen.”

The earliest you could see something on a ballot is the November 2023 election.

The next legislative session begins Jan. 10, 2023.

This article is a reprint from kristv.com. To view the original story, share and comment, click here.


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