Texas Sports Betting Gains Momentum as Senate Joint Resolution Filed

Momentum continues to gather in Texas, as a Senate Joint Resolution has been filed which could pave the way for a vote on legalized sports betting.

Senator Hinojosa has filed SJR 65, a companion bill to Rep. Harless’ House Joint Resolution 134, which was filed in February.

How the Proposed Bill Aims to Regulate Sports Betting in Texas

The proposed resolution reads: “proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to legalize wagering in this state on certain sporting events.”

In the first section, it aims to pass that: “the legislature by law may authorize and regulate the placing of wagers on sporting events. A law enacted under this subsection may authorize the conduct of sports wagering.”

If the resolution is passed, it would allow a vote in November on the legalization of sports betting.

Section 2 of the bill reads: “This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held on November 4, 2025. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to legalize wagering in this state on certain sporting events.”

The scope of potential legalized sports betting in the Lone Star State would be limited. Crypto sportsbooks, for example, would not be part of the scope. The establishments that would be permitted to obtain a license are as follows:

• A sports team in existence on 1 January 2025;
• Organizers of annual professional golf tournaments as part of a national tour of professional golfers (established before 1 January 2025);
• A class 1 racetrack in operation on 1 January 2025;
• A designee of the above-listed entities.

Currently, Texas has no form of legalized online wagering. The state permits parimutuel wagering on horse and greyhound racing, charitable bingo and raffles, and three tribes run brick-and-mortar casino properties.

The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), a pro-gambling lobbyist group, suggests that Texans already wager more than $7 billion annually with crypto sportsbooks and other offshore operators. The SBA is comprised of some of the largest regulated gambling companies and an amalgamation of professional sporting outfits.

It further argues that, according to a University of Houston study, 60 percent of the 1,200 people polled in the state supported the legalization of sports betting.

Lottery games are also legal in Texas, and operated by the Texas Lottery. The Texas Lottery Commission recently outlawed lottery couriers from operating in the state.

“Lottery courier services operating in Texas have been a significant concern for many of our stakeholders. Since I became Executive Director less than a year ago, I have been keenly focused on making changes to improve the public’s perception of Texas Lottery games and how they are played and operated,” commented Ryan Mindell, Executive Director of the Texas Lottery Commission.

The ban comes after significant pressure from Lt. Gov Patrick, who raised alarms after the state’s third-largest jackpot in history was won using Jackpocket and purchased from a retail outlet owned by the company.

He said on social media platform X: “Today’s action is an obvious admission that the Texas Lottery Commission had the oversight authority all along and allowed these businesses to creep into Texas and undermine the integrity of the Texas Lottery.”