Lawmakers Don’t Want to Waste Time
In the letter sent to Rep. King, the Republican lawmakers argued that gambling legislation’s lost support means it is destined to fail. Therefore, they say that the state shouldn’t waste time and resources on them during the final stretch of the 2025 legislative session.
“We are confident this legislation does not have the votes necessary to pass the Texas House this session,” the letter reads. “Given the certainty of its failure, I urge you not to waste valuable committee time on an issue that is dead on arrival.”
Industry Support Trending the Wrong Way
Legalizing sports betting in 2025 was already a long shot, but the letter sent to Rep. King shows that things are worse than they seem. The loss of several key industry supporters in the House shows that legalizing the industry isn’t a top priority.
The question now is, what will happen in November 2026? That is when the mid-term elections will be, giving voters another chance to add or remove sports betting proponents from the state legislature. Given that opposition to the industry is strong and well-funded, proponents will need to find new ways to sway voters.
Governor Continues to Support Sports Betting
One reason industry proponents were hoping sports betting would gain momentum was Governor Greg Abbott's support. The state’s top lawmaker supported the sports betting bills being considered, countering the opposition of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick.
Abbott supported sports betting because he believed many Texans were already betting on sports. Bettors can place wagers using offshore books or other illegal operators, which means problem gambling is rising in Texas despite the industry remaining illegal.
A legal sports betting market would better protect bettors and fund problem gambling resources. With gambling spreading across the US, the Governor believes the problem will only get worse if a regulated market isn’t set up.
