Texas lawmakers file resolutions for casino and sports betting measures

Two Texas lawmakers filed joint resolutions on 9 November proposing a constitutional amendment on casino gaming and sports betting, with House Joint Resolution 52 from Representative Charlie Geren and Senate Joint Resolution 11 from Senator Carol Alvarado.

What happened

House Joint Resolution 52 was filed by Republican Representative Charlie Geren, while Democratic Senator Carol Alvarado submitted Senate Joint Resolution 11, according to CDC Gaming Reports. Neither had received committee assignments when CDC reported on the filings.

The two texts are broadly similar. Both would:

• limit casinos to 10;
• establish a gaming revenue tax of no more than 15%;
• set a process for the state to negotiate tribal-state compacts for Class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act with any of the three federally recognised tribes: the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas.

iGaming Future noted that the state's previous Lottery Commission was disbanded in 2025.

iGaming Future reported that the sports betting provisions leave open the possibility of online sportsbooks. Later legislation would still have to determine the rules on the places and manner in which online sports wagering could be offered.

The filings follow the midterm elections. CDC Gaming Reports said Democrat Vicki Goodwin defeated Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who has staunchly opposed gaming expansion, and that Goodwin supports letting voters decide. Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated the incumbent Republican governor. Her past voting record includes a vote against a 2023 sports betting amendment, and she did not commit to backing or opposing gaming legislation during her campaign.

Why it matters

Operators and affiliates should not read the filings as a market opening: the resolutions are not about legalising iGaming, and any licensing, tax or marketing rules would depend on later legislation. Compliance and commercial teams could have little to act on beyond monitoring.

The design details are what to track. A cap of 10 casino licences could point to limited licence supply, and the 15% ceiling could set the tax framework if the amendment reached the ballot.

On sports betting, the online format would be left to future lawmaking. Operators and suppliers would need to check any later bill for licence categories, application fees and advertising rules before assessing exposure.

The politics also matter. CDC Gaming Reports said Patrick's defeat could clear a route to the ballot for either resolution, while Republicans will control the Senate and Hinojosa did not commit on gaming during her campaign.

What's next

The Texas legislature returns to Austin on 12 January and is scheduled to adjourn on 31 May. Hinojosa is due to be sworn in on 19 January.

CDC Gaming Reports said a proposed constitutional amendment needs two-thirds majorities in both chambers before reaching the ballot. The House will have a Democratic majority and Republicans will control the Senate, according to CDC.