Austin, TX (WBAP/KLIF) – Two proposed constitutional amendments aimed at expanding gambling in Texas advanced in the House on Wednesday. The move comes amid polls that show over half of Texas residents favor support resort-style casinos and legalized sports betting.
GOP Rep. Charlie Geren’s proposed amendment would let voters decide if they want eight destination casinos in Texas. Two of them would be in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Geren’s amendment tentatively passed, 92-51, though it needs 100 votes to move to the Senate.
Another measure would allow mobile sports betting only. HJR 102 received 97 yeas and 44 nays following the chamber’s second reading of the resolution. It needs 100 votes on Thursday to pass the House and move on to the Senate.
The proposed amendments face an uncertain future in the Senate where Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been resistant to authorizing gaming in Texas.
For constitutional amendments would need to a two-thirds vote in both chambers to make the Nov. 7 ballot.
(Copyright 2023 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News.)