Chris Boline
For Texas sports betting supporters to get their wish, we’re going to need to see legislation change within the next 12 months. When things were shut down in 2021, it was heartbreaking for so many people out there. That’s why things are already being put in place, as the Texas sports betting supporters going all-in for 2023 legalization is already catching speed, and this is something we’re going to be discussing for a while.
Indeed, 2023 is going to be massive, as it’s when the lawmakers will meet to see if anything will go down here. Keep in mind that Texas only meets once every two years. So, if sports betting doesn’t make its way through in 2023, that means that we’d then have to wait an extra two years to see if anything changes in this case. That would result in 2025 being the earliest the legal wagers could come.
That’d be a disaster. The thought of 2025 being the year for sports betting isn’t ideal. There’s plenty of worry for Florida sports betting fans too, as a recent report indicated that things may be delayed for them too until 2024-2025. Both Texas and Florida go hand in hand here a bit, as they’re two of the biggest and most popular sports states in the USA. Despite this, they’re both waiting for movement for sports betting.
With Texas in particular, countless folks know just how important sports betting could be in terms of revenue. For how big Texas is, you could see billions of dollars worth of bets taking place consistently. However, now, all of those bets are being made illegally or in different states. Politicians like Beto O’Rourke want sports betting in the state as soon as possible. Let’s hope that he gets his way next year in 2023.
Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke calls for the legalization of sports betting and casino gambling, via @JeremySWallace (@HoustonChron). Latest poll shows him just 2% points behind Gov. Abbott and gaining ground. Legislature reconvenes in 2023. https://t.co/gBecT4hc3g
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) April 21, 2022
Texas Sports Betting Alliance is making its voice heard too
As you might have been able to guess, several groups are speaking out in favor of legal wagers, and the Texas Sports Betting Alliance is making its voice heard too. The TSBA has been trying to get things moving in the right direction for a while, and they’re putting their foot on the gas to make sure things go down in 2023. They – along with so many others – don’t want this wait to keep on climbing.
“The state should allow Texans the freedom to decide whether or not to participate in sports betting and protect those who do so,” Spokesperson Cara Gustafson said in a press release discussing the state of sports betting in Texas. “Football will continue to dominate the Lone Star State, and sports betting will only grow along with it. It’s time to honor Texas’ core value of individual freedom and legalize sports betting.”
It’s hard to argue with what Gustafson said there, as the fact of the matter is that football indeed is going to always be popular, and people should be able to bet on the sport. With the NFL season in full swing, folks are going to be checking the best NFL betting odds through the top-rated sportsbooks non-stop the rest of the way. When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, you know that folks would love to make legal wagers on them.
Not only that, but the University of Texas was nearly able to pull off an upset win over No. 1 Alabama this past weekend. That result, despite ending with a loss, has so many people in the state checking the top NCAAF betting odds to see where the Longhorns are checking in. This is why Gustafson wants the betting to come to Texas – because it’s a market that has an unlimited amount of potential for everyone to enjoy.
Bring that same energy Longhorn Nation! See you Saturday 🤘 pic.twitter.com/LOQh5kz1v7
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 15, 2022
Texas citizens continue to travel to make their bets
As we mentioned above, the football season is in full swing. With this, Texas citizens continue to travel to make their bets. This only adds to the frustration of the TSBA and officials. Why should people be spending money and helping local businesses in states like Louisiana and Nevada when the same could be done in Texas. You better believe that businesses in Texas are suffering from no betting.
Once things go down – hopefully in 2023 – you’re going to see a boom in economic growth for Texas. There’s no denying that, as people will take the money they’re using in nearby states and invest that money in the Lone Star State. Once again, however, nothing will change until the people in office step up and make a difference.
From our chair, there’s simply no reason for sports betting to not be made legal by this point next year. Yup, 2023 feels like it could prove to be a historic session for the Texas legislators. If they drop the ball and prevent sports betting from arriving, though, it’s going to be a dark day for the state’s history. We can only hope that doesn’t prove to be the case for everyone in Texas. Only time will tell how this plays out.
