Casino gambling and sports betting on North Texas agenda

Lea Hogg July 29, 2024

The North Texas Commission (NTC) has formed a committee to examine the potential consequences of legalizing casino gambling and sports betting before the start of the legislative season. The committee, comprising business and community leaders, will assess the impact of destination gaming on various sectors, including economic development, workforce requirements, infrastructure, transportation, and public safety.

NTC’s Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Brophey, stated the importance of wide community representation in the committee. It will include elected officials, tourism leaders, economic development officials, and representatives from religious and faith-based organizations. Brophey stated, “We want parity across the region,” indicating the committee’s intent to encompass a diverse range of community sectors.

The formation of the committee follows a roundtable discussion hosted by the NTC and the Texas Association of Business. During this event, an executive from Las Vegas Sands extolled the virtues of destination gaming for Texas, particularly the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region. Sands, under the leadership of billionaire Miriam Adelson, has been a strong advocate for the legalization of casino gambling in Texas, investing $6.7 million in lobbying efforts in 2021 alone.

Broad spectrum of representation

Adelson’s influence extends beyond lobbying, with significant political contributions made in Texas elections, totalling over $13 million this year. Furthermore, her family recently acquired a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks, with team owner Mark Cuban hinting at the prospect of a resort casino anchored by a new arena in Dallas.

Sands and NTC leaders are pushing for a bill that would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, allowing voters to decide on casino gambling. This amendment would necessitate two-thirds approval in both legislative chambers and majority support from state voters.

During the roundtable, Sands’ senior executive Andy Abboud emphasized the economic benefits of destination resorts. He compared the limited number of casino licenses to NFL or MLB teams, arguing that diluting the market would diminish the investment and its economic impact.

Abboud also highlighted the potential for DFW to benefit from increased convention space, akin to Las Vegas. A study by Rice University estimated that gaming could contribute $13 billion to Texas’s economy and create 70,000 permanent jobs. DFW could see a tax revenue increase of $34.7 million.

Addressing safety and crime concerns, Abboud refuted claims that casinos lead to higher crime rates, citing decreased crime in areas like Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where Sands developed a resort.

Despite some skepticism, local leaders increasingly believe that the legalization of casino gambling is inevitable. Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer stated, “It is going to happen,” emphasizing the need for the metroplex to be prepared compared to the rest of the state.