Texas Lawmakers File New Casino and Sports Betting Legalization Proposals

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas lawmakers introduced new proposals on November 9 that would allow voters to decide whether to legalize casino gambling and sports betting in November 2027. The measures would establish a framework for a limited number of casinos, set licensing requirements and cap gambling taxes at 15% of gaming revenue.

Republican state Rep. Charlie Geren filed House Joint Resolution 52, while Democratic state Sen. Carol Alvarado introduced a similar measure in the Senate. Both proposals require legislative approval before any constitutional amendment can appear on a statewide ballot.

Texas Gambling Proposal Would Allow up to 10 Casinos

Geren’s House Joint Resolution 52 would amend the Texas Constitution to permit the Legislature to authorize and regulate casino gaming and sports wagering.

Under the proposal, lawmakers would establish which casino games and sports betting activities are permitted, determine where operations can take place and introduce licensing requirements for gambling businesses.

The resolution would limit commercial casino gaming to no more than 10 licensed facilities statewide, with initial license terms of at least 40 years. Casino gambling would be restricted to the physical premises of licensed operators, while lawmakers would determine where and how sports wagering could be conducted.

The measure also proposes a maximum tax rate of 15% on casino gaming and sports betting revenue. It would prohibit additional gambling-specific taxes or fees beyond those authorized under the framework, while allowing taxes generally imposed on other businesses.

Operators would need to obtain licenses and pay application fees, with the Legislature responsible for establishing the regulatory procedures.

The proposal also includes provisions for negotiating gaming compacts with the three federally recognized tribes that have Indian lands in Texas, should those tribes request negotiations.

If lawmakers approve the resolution, voters would consider the constitutional amendment on November 2, 2027. Geren, who has supported similar proposals in previous sessions, said the objective was to let Texans decide whether the state should expand legal gambling.

Senate Proposal Calls for New Texas Gaming Commission

State Sen. Carol Alvarado introduced Senate Joint Resolution 11 on the same day, proposing a similar constitutional amendment covering casinos and sports wagering.

Like the House measure, the Senate proposal would authorize up to 10 casino facilities, provide initial license terms of at least 40 years and limit gambling taxes to 15% of revenue.

However, Alvarado’s resolution includes an additional provision establishing a Texas Gaming Commission with regulatory and law enforcement powers over casino gaming, sports wagering and lotteries.

The proposed commission would oversee licensing, enforce gaming regulations and administer the expanded gambling system. Its funding would come from lottery proceeds and gambling-related taxes and fees.

Both resolutions were introduced on the first day of bill filing for the 90th Texas Legislature, which is scheduled to convene on January 12, 2027.

Texas currently permits certain forms of gambling, including the state lottery, pari-mutuel horse racing and limited tribal gaming. Commercial casino gambling and state-authorized sports betting remain prohibited.

Gambling Expansion Faces Legislative Hurdles

The latest proposals follow the November 3 elections, which changed the political composition of the Texas Legislature and its leadership.

Democrats gained control of the Texas House, while Republicans retained their majority in the Senate. Democrat Vikki Goodwin also defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who had opposed previous gambling expansion proposals.

Goodwin has expressed willingness to allow Texans to vote on legalizing casino gambling and sports betting. However, her position does not guarantee that either resolution will advance through the Republican-controlled Senate.

A proposed constitutional amendment requires support from two-thirds of both legislative chambers, equivalent to at least 100 votes in the 150-member House and 21 votes in the 31-member Senate.

Previous attempts to expand gambling have struggled to advance through the Legislature. In 2023, a sports betting constitutional amendment passed the House but stalled in the Senate. In February 2025, Rep. Sam Harless introduced another sports betting proposal that sought a November 2025 public vote, but the effort did not result in legalization.

The newly filed measures would give lawmakers another opportunity to debate gambling expansion, although neither resolution has received legislative approval.

Should either proposal secure the required support in both chambers, Texas voters would have the final say in November 2027. Until then, the state’s existing restrictions on commercial casinos and sports betting remain unchanged.

RELATED TOPICS: Regulation