North Texas Commission Forming Gambling Study Committee

Residents of Texas do not have access to our best sports betting sites, as sports betting is not legal in the state. But the belief is that will eventually change, and questions are already being asked about how that might look.

The North Texas Commission (NTC) will form an “exploratory committee” to study how destination gaming will impact the area. The committee will consider critical areas, including workforce demands, public safety, economic development, and transportation and infrastructure requirements. 

NTC Chief Operating Officer Patrick Brophey said, “This is open to North Texas Commission members who we traditionally cater to, but well beyond that as well to get the full scope of our community, including social services, public safety, nonprofits, arts and entertainment, mental health professionals and business and industry leaders. We want parity across the region.”

Further explaining the committee's makeup, Brophy explained that the NTC wants the committee to include people with a wide range of opinions on gambling, from supporters of casino gambling to those actively opposed. 

Formation of committee

The decision to form the committee comes after a roundtable discussion on July 24 hosted by the NTC and Texas Association of Business. The Senior Vice President of Government Relations for Las Vegas Sands Corp., Andy Abboud, gave a presentation in which he illustrated the difference between “destination resorts” and casinos, using Sands resorts as an example. He highlighted that these locations provide gaming, entertainment, and business travel in one location. 

Another part of his argument was that introducing destination resorts benefits nearby businesses economically. "The basic concept here is that when you build something really spectacular that becomes an iconic tourist destination, then a rising tide lifts all boats,” Abboud explained. 

Abboud’s proposal limited the number of licenses awarded to keep things competitive. He proposed that each major metropolitan area in Texas receive some licenses and a few other destinations in the Lone Star State.

“It doesn't need to be everywhere. It's like NFL teams or MLB teams. ... It doesn't need to be on every corner. If you diminish the market, you diminish the investment and you're just diminishing the economic impact that it can have,” Abboud said.

Abboud and the CEO of the NTC, Chris Wallace, suggested during the roundtable that they wanted Texas lawmakers to pass a casino bill. As gambling is illegal through the state constitution, this would put the issue on the ballot, allowing voters to vote in favor or against such a motion. The motion would need a two-thirds majority to pass and alter the state constitution.

Continued push for Texas gambling

This isn’t the first time that Las Vegas Sands Corp. and its owner, Miriam Adelson, have tried to bring gambling to Texas. In 2021, Sands spent more than $6.7 million and hired 76 lobbyists to get lawmakers to pass casino legislation. However, this effort failed. 

A Sands-backed political committee committed to more than $2.5 million supporting candidates in 2024, including House Speaker Dade Phelan. Additionally, Adelson has spent a further $13 million on candidates during primary and run-off elections. 

Adelson and her family also purchased a majority stake in the local NBA franchise, the Dallas Mavericks, from former owner Mark Cuban. Cuban still holds a 27% stake in the Mavericks and has previously suggested building a casino in Dallas.