Will Texas Legalize Gambling
LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - A lawmaker in Texas is seeking to legalize gambling in the State of Texas. The bill, proposed by Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas) would open up 21 casinos and create a state-wide gaming commission.
- September 27-29 in Arlington, Texas. As proof, John Kindt cited a 1999 report of the U.S. Gambling Commission connecting the increase of legalized gambling with the increase in addiction, bankruptcies and criminality.
- DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) — A Republican megadonor is behind a new effort to convince the state legislature to legalize casino gambling in Texas. Sheldon Adelson, whose Las Vegas Sands casino empire is among the world’s largest gaming companies, will bankroll what the Texas Tribune calls “a stable of high-powered lobbyists for the upcoming.
Legalize Gambling In Texas
INTRODUCTION:
We have heard of stories where one pilot won lottery twice in a row. We have also heard of stories of greenhorn gamblers winning a thousand U.S. dollars worth in a one night casino stand. There are many advantages and disadvantages of setting up gambling joints. The following paragraphs discusses in detail the advantages and disadvantages of setting up a gambling joint.
BODY:
The article Gambling Industry Wins Big – social impact of gambling(Price, 1999)
Showed that our nation’s gigantic growth of the gambling industry has resulted as an dominant and segregating force in American politics, even as the arguments of both side of the gambling issue strengthens about how legitimized gambling influences and even changes the pervading culture and society.
Evidently, there were only two states that twenty years ago that permitted similar gambling activities. But today, there are only three states that disallow gambling in their community. As proof, Two GOP governors with names of David Beasley in South Carolina and Fob James Jr.
in Alabama had been booted out of their job Last November because they rallied against for the lotteries and other kinds of wagering.
Many people think that gambling is an incurable cure to be given utmost care and time. Whereas, others think that gambling will be a legitimate business that must be given full support or an uncontrollable cancer. Gambling has divided the Republicans and Democrats into half. Research shows that Americans put to chance more than $600 billion annually in legal gambling operations. This represents an amount that is estimated to be $100 billion more than the average American budgets for food, according to industry figures and data from the Department of Commerce. In fact, the gambling industry’s gross revenues totaled nearly $51 billion, up from $10.4 billion only 15 years. Furthermore, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey projects that the betting on Super Bowl XXXIII last month may have reached $4 billion, not counting side bets and office pools.
Furthermore, social conservative James Dobson, head of Colorado Springs-based Focus on the family ministry argues.”The epidemic that is sweeping the nation reflects the enormous power and influence that is held by the gambling kingpins” “Because of their unlimited financial resources … they can influence elections dramatically and entice political leaders to obey many of their wishes.
Gambling makes money, It will make a big dent in terms of impacting Texas needs, i.e. education, shortfall, and health insurance for the uninsured. Many people want to set up gambling joints because they believe there is money in gambling. Statistically, there is more probability that a person will lose money than if a person will win money. If gambling will be allowed, then gambling money can be used to set up schools, contribute to the improvement of the state’s roads, infrastructure, pay for shortfalls and insure some of the citizens. Gambling will also help give employment to show girls/boys, waiters, card dealers, gambling employees and others. There are many studies of gambling in Las Vegas, Atlantic City including the Mississippi River where River Boats park. And, gambling is legal on boats on the water but, not on the land so gambling is on party boats that float in the river but, don’t move. Also, many states around Texas, OK, NM, and LA gladly take Texas money and gambling efforts. Gambling cities do make dollars in terms of taxes generated. These additional taxes will be used to build the roads, bridges and public facilities. Also, these will be used to build school buildings and other
It is also correct to assume that many people prefer to set up a gambling joint because there is money in gambling that will help fund the needs of Texas, set up education, pay shortfalls and provide for health insurance. .
Many persons are opposed to the setting up of gambling joints for its bad influence. Putting up a gambling joint cost money. Also, crime does go up and welfare Transients to go the gambling towns. Furthermore, social crimes increase which include robbery, prostitution, alcoholism, illegal drugs and indebtedness. For emphasis, in the article If the government wants to stimulate the economy, it should outlaw gambling, a legal policy expert told a gathering of antigambling activists in the Christian Century Journal stated that the government should forbid gambling according to a the expert opinion of legal consultant as he spoke in a gathering of antigambling activists. For emphasis, John Kindt reiterated, professor of commerce and legal policy at the University of Illinois reiterated that “Gambling is a catalyst for economic downturn,”
John Kindt proposed that gambling be made a criminal offense in order fro the 401(k) to return. This band will then divert the gambling investments into consumer spending. He further stated that in his speech in the annual meeting of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling and National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion last
September 27-29 in Arlington, Texas. As proof, John Kindt cited a 1999 report of the U.S. Gambling Commission connecting the increase of legalized gambling with the increase in addiction, bankruptcies and criminality. Consequently, the commission further advocated a suspension on gambling expansion and also the prohibition of “convenience gambling” such as video-gambling machines in stores. These persons are right in opposing the setting up of gambling joints for there more net losses than net gains in gambling
There are many variables to consider whether to allow gambling joints in Texas State. For, the opportunity cost of gambling is that, the funds that will be use to set up gambling centers would have been used for setting up infrastructure and roads that would be conducive to opening of new and bigger businesses. Crime will increase because the many gambling losers may resort to crimes in order to have money to buy another casino token. Also, drinking will double as many of the gambling losers would drink while gambling. Many of the losers will have to undergo proper drug addition treatment. Also, property values will rise when gambling will proceed for many people will visit the gambling joints. Gambling will also increase the sales restaurants and night spots near the gambling areas. Many new hotels will crop up in order to serve the overnight sleeping needs of gamblers. Gasoline prices will rise because many cars will visit the Texas area and car rentals will increase because of the increase in gambling customers.
Based on the study of the Gambling in Las Vegas, There will a precipitation of more net losses than net gain in the net five, ten or fifteen yours.
Many people at first come, and then go all the way to Vegas and Atlantic City?
In the article No candidate opposes gambling Fort Worth Star-Telegram, JOHN MORITZ stated that in the 2006 governor’s race that the principal sponsors of legalizing more gambling opportunities have felt that like they’ve been dealt a pretty strong hand. Republican incumbent Rick Perry has previously proposed allowing Texas’ racetracks and Indian reservations to operate Las Vegas-style slot machines. So has Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, who has been seen by many as is also running as an independent. Democrat Chris Bell stayed he’s “open” to casinos because the tax revenue could help pay for education and social services. And Kinky Friedman, the entertainer and novelist who’s also running as independent, makes no bones about his enthusiasm for legalized casinos. He boasts that on his “fact-finding missions to Las Vegas,” he often meets more Texans than he would at a suburban shopping center. “We invented Texas Hold ’em, and we can’t even play it here,” he has said repeatedly on the campaign trail. The tax revenue, he said, would be plowed into public education
CONCLUSION:
Many people think that gambling is indeed an incurable cure to be given utmost care and time. Also, gambling will be a legitimate business that must be given full support or an uncontrollable cancer. Also, gambling has divided the house between the Republicans and Democrats.
There are many variables to be considered in deciding to allow a gambling joint to be set up in Texas State. For, the opportunity cost of gambling is that, the funds that will be use to set up gambling centers would have been used for setting up infrastructure and roads that would be conducive to opening of new and bigger businesses. Crime will also increase due to the many gambling losers may resort to crimes in order to have money to buy another casino token. Also, drinking will double as many of the gambling losers would drink while gambling. Many of the losers will have to undergo proper drug addition treatment.
In conclusion, there are more disadvantages than disadvantages of setting up a gambling joint in a peaceful community. It would be preferable for a major city like Texas with a population of over 320,000 to allow one casino only and that no slot machines will be operated. As a result, the excess money will go to Nevada and Louisiana that can be successfully be budgeted for good use in Texas. This will make both sides of the argument very happy.
REFERENCES:
Price, J. Gambling Industry Wins Big – social impact of gambling, Insight on the News, March 15, 1999
No author, If the government wants to stimulate the economy, it should outlaw gambling, a legal policy expert told a gathering of antigambling activists, Christian Century, Oct 9, 20002
Moritz, J., No candidate opposes gambling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, October, 2006 by JOHN MORITZ
After New Jersey's Supreme Court victory in May 2018, any state that wishes can legalize sports betting.
At the same time various state lawmakers are considering sports betting legislation, Congress is too. Senators Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and now-retired Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, co-introduced comprehensive sports betting legislation at the end of 2018. On Sept. 27, 2018 the House Judiciary Committee held a formal hearing on the topic.
The dual track of proposals -- state and federal -- have increased in frequency since the start of 2017.
To measure the change in the landscape, we ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of how likely it is for each jurisdiction to offer full-scale legal sports betting. A brief synopsis for the active states is included, with updates to follow.
Last updated on November 3, 2020.
Already there
1. Nevada
No longer the only state to permit a wide variety of legal sports betting, Nevada is a mature market that has existed for decades. Given its long history in successfully offering regulated sports wagering, many states might look to Nevada for best practices.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 223
Population: 3,034,392 (2,246,259 21+)
2. Delaware
On June 5, 2018, Delaware moved to offer single-game betting on a number of different sports at three casinos in the state. Expanded sports wagering options could take place at additional locations or online. Delaware's authorization of what Gov. John Carney described as 'a full-scale sports gaming operation' happened less than a month after the Supreme Court ruled that the federal law restricting single-game betting to Nevada was unconstitutional.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 3
Population: 967,171 (726,161 21+)
3. New Jersey
On June 11, 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the sports betting bill that had passed the previous week. A William Hill sportsbook at Monmouth Park took the first bets on Thursday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Gov. Murphy was the first customer in line. The Borgata in Atlantic City booked sports bets 30 minutes later. Other sportsbooks in New Jersey opened soon thereafter. For example, FanDuel's first sportsbook at the Meadowlands opened its doors on July 14.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams and collegiate events held within the state
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 9
Population: 8,908,520 (6,634,683 21+)
4. Mississippi
Two casinos owned by MGM Resorts booked their first sports bets in Mississippi on Aug. 1, 2018. Mississippi enacted a new law in 2017 that allowed for sports betting pending a favorable decision by the Supreme Court. In June 2018, the Mississippi Gaming Commission adopted implementing regulations that require all betting to take place in person, with mobile wagering to be considered later.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 29
Population: 2,986,530 (2,153,795 21+)
5. West Virginia
On Aug. 30, 2018, West Virginia became the fifth state to offer legal and regulated sports betting when the Hollywood Casino -- a sportsbook owned by Penn National -- opened its doors. The move came six months after the West Virginia legislature passed a new bill with the West Virginia Lottery Commission serving as the chief regulator.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 5
Population: 1,805,832 (1,375,788 21+)
6. New Mexico
On Oct. 16, 2018, the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel booked its first sports bet in partnership with Nevada-based USBookmaking. Although New Mexico has not passed any new sports betting legislation since the Supreme Court's decision, the move by the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel was made via a gaming compact with the state. According to Nedra Darling, spokeswoman at the Department of the Interior's Office of Indian Affairs -- the federal agency in Washington, DC that oversees tribal gaming compacts -- the New Mexico compacts permit 'any or all forms of Class III Gaming,' a category in the federal regulations that specifically includes '[a]ny sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering.'
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 32
Population: 2,095,428 (1,529,540 21+)
7. Pennsylvania
The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course booked the first legal sports bets in Pennsylvania in mid-November 2018. The move came just over a year after Gov. Tom Wolf signed a new sports betting bill as part of a broad legislation push that included online poker and DFS. The October 2017 bill became effective after the Supreme Court's May 2018 ruling upending the federal ban on single-game betting outside of Nevada.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 12
Population: 12,807,060 (9,645,705 21+)
8. Rhode Island
The Twin River Casino in Lincoln opened its doors for legal sports betting on Nov. 26, 2018. The move came five months after Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the state budget, which included language allowing sports betting. Only two locations would be allowed to offer sports betting under the law, with the state's lottery providing regulatory oversight. In early 2019, the law was tweaked to provide for mobile betting.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 2
Population: 1,057,315 (800,838 21+)
9. Arkansas
On July 1, 2019, the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort booked the first legal sports bets in Arkansas. Two other retail locations opened sportsbooks in the subsequent months. Sports betting is regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 3
Population: 3,013,825 (2,191,256 21+)
10. New York
On July 16, 2019, the first legal sports bets were placed in New York. J. Gary Pretlow -- a New York lawmaker and chair of the state's racing and wagering committee -- was among the first to place a wager at the Rivers Casino in Schenectady. The opening of a legal sportsbook came six years after New York passed a law to allow sports betting at four on-site locations, all in upstate New York. After lying dormant for years, the law was revived after the Supreme Court ruling in 2018 and the issuance of regulations earlier this year. The current law does not allow for mobile wagering.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 28
Population: 19,542,209 (14,724,807 21+)
11. Iowa
Legal sports betting arrived in Iowa on Aug. 15, with multiple operators all opening their doors to customers on the first day. The move came three months after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into a law a comprehensive bill to legalize sports betting in the Hawkeye State. Operators must pay a $45,000 licensing fee and there is a 6.75 percent tax on revenue. The new law permits mobile wagering. Betting on college sports is permitted, but certain kinds of in-game prop bets involving college games are banned. The new law bestows the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission with authority to regulate sports betting.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No prop betting on in-state college athletics
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 23
Population: 3,156,145 (2,286,374 21+)
12. Oregon
Legal sports betting returned to Oregon on Aug. 27 after a long hiatus, with the first bets booked on-site at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. Oregon is one of a small number of states that already had a law on the books permitting some forms of sports betting, so the resumption of wagering did not require the legislature to pass any new law or have the governor amend an existing tribal-state compact. In mid-October, mobile sports betting arrived in Oregon too, with the state-run lottery overseeing the launch of a new website and app.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort, but sportsbook operated by the Oregon Lottery does not permit betting on games involving in-state colleges
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 10
Population: 4,190,713 (3,167,912 21+)
13. Indiana
Legal sports betting opened up at a number of locations in Indiana on Sept. 1. The Indiana Gaming Commission oversees all sports betting regulations and has issued licenses to operators across the state. Wagering on both college and pro sports is permitted, but betting on esports and high school sports is banned. Indiana's new law allows for both mobile and in-person wagering. Regulations permit sports leagues or colleges to request 'to utilize a geofence to prohibit wagers at the location of a particular sporting event.'
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No prop betting on in-state college athletics
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 14
Population: 6,691,878 (4,842,337 21+)
14. New Hampshire
Governor Chris Sununo placed the ceremonial first legal sports wager -- on the New England Patriots -- in New Hampshire on Dec. 30, 2019. The state's lottery is in charge of regulatory of regulatory oversight. Both retail and mobile sports betting will be permitted on a wide variety of sports, although no betting on New Hampshire's in-state colleges is allowed.
Type of wagering permitted: Mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on in-state colleges
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 0
Population: 1,356,458 (1,042,882 21+)
15. Illinois
Legal sports betting arrived in Illinois on March 9, 2020. The move came less than a year after the Illinois legislature passed a broad gaming bill that allowed for both online and in-person sports betting. With Governor J.B. Pritzker's signature, the new law also provided for betting on-location at venues such as Wrigley Field. Operators and certain data providers are required to obtain a license under the new law.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No wagering on minor leagues or Illinois college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 10
Population: 12,741,080 (9,391,158 21+)
16. Michigan
Legal sports betting in Michigan commenced on March 11, 2020, with two Detroit-area casinos launching on the same day. The move came less than three months after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the 'Lawful Sports Betting Act' into law. The new law provides for wagering on a wide variety of sports, including college contests.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 27
Population: 9.995,915 (7,428,72721+)
17. Montana
Legal sports betting arrived in Montana in March 2020. The move came after Governor Steve Bullock formally signed into law a 28-page bill that brought sports wagering to Big Sky country via the state's lottery. Governor Bullock cited the Montana Lottery's 'proven track record of responsibility and integrity' when signing the bill.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 13
Population: 1,062,305 (793,151 21+)
18. Colorado
May 1, 2020 marked the launch of legal sports betting in Colorado, with multiple operators allowing residents to open accounts online and place wagers. The move came less than six months after Colorado voters -- by a narrow margin -- approved a ballot measure that would provide 'for the regulation of sports betting through licensed casinos.' Both mobile and retail sports betting are permitted. Tax revenue from sports betting will help fund various state water projects.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 35
Population: 5,695,564 (4,210,663.00 21+)
19. Washington, D.C.
In June 2020, the D.C. Lottery launched its 'GameBetDC' platform allowing consumers 'to wager while in the District on major sports worldwide' via computer or mobile device. Sports betting in nation's capital followed the passage of the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 and a Congressional review period during which time Congress did not formally object. The Office of Lottery and Gaming provides regulatory oversight of all sports wagering in D.C.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions:No betting on games involving colleges located in D.C.
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019):None
Population: 705,749
20. Tennessee
Regulated sports wagering -- all online -- launched on November 1, 2020 in Tennessee with four licensed operators offering a wide variety of options. The 'Tennessee Sports Gaming Act' permits statewide mobile sports betting without any brick-and-mortar anchor. As such, there are no in-person retail sports betting locations in the state. Subject to an exception, Tennessee's new law requires all licensed operators to 'exclusively use official league data for purposes of live betting.'
Will Texas Ever Legalize Gambling
Type of wagering permitted: Mobile only
Notable prohibitions:None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019):None
Population: 6,829,174
On-deck circle
21. North Carolina
On July 26, 2019, Governor Roy Cooper signed into a law a bill to 'allow sports and horse race wagering on tribal lands,' with such betting designated as a 'Class III' gaming activity under the state compact. The new law permits betting on both college and professional sports, but all bettors must place their wagers in-person at one of two retail locations.
22. Washington
Governor Jay Inslee signed Washington's sports betting bill into law on March 25, 2020. The new law permits sports wagering at Class III tribal casinos in the state. Mobile sports wagering is not allowed statewide, but is permitted when on-site at a licensed tribal casino. Betting on an 'esports competition or event' is allowed, but the new law bans wagering on games involving in-state colleges or minor league professional events. The new bill delegates regulatory oversight to the Washington State Gambling Commission.
23. Virginia
After some back-and-forth between Governor Ralph Northam and the legislature, legalized sports wagering was approved in the Commonwealth of Virginia in April 2020. Online betting is allowed, but wagering is not permitted on Virginia-based college sports or certain youth sports.
24. Maryland
In November 2020, Maryland voters approved 'sports and events betting for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education' by about a 2-1 margin. A regulatory framework must be created by Maryland lawmakers before any sports wagering takes place. The Maryland referendum would potentially allow for both in-person and mobile sports betting throughout the state.
25. South Dakota
On November 3, 2020, voters in South Dakota approved a ballot measure permitting 'sports wagering in Deadwood.' Other tribal locations in South Dakota could see the arrival of regulated sports betting too. State lawmakers must now establish a regulatory apparatus and tax rate for legalized sports wagering.
26. Louisiana
In November 2020, voters in the vast majority of Louisiana's 64 parishes approved a ballot measure permitting 'sports wagering activities and operations.' As a result, regulated sports wagering could come to New Orleans and certain other cities as early as 2021. Lawmakers will be tasked with setting up a regulatory scheme during an upcoming state legislative session.
Moving toward legalization
All of these states have seen some degree of legislative activity towards the legalization of sports betting the past few years.
27. Oklahoma
In April 2020, two federally-recognized tribes reached agreement with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt on new gaming compacts that include sports betting. On June 8, 2020, Governor Stitt announced that the Department of the Interior had approved the compacts, paving the way for sports betting to start in Oklahoma as soon as the 'compacts are published in the Federal Register.' A bipartisan group of state lawmakers, along with Oklahoma's attorney general, have expressed opposition to the expansion of sports betting in Oklahoma and the prospect of legalized sports wagering remains uncertain.
28. Maine
On the last day of the state's 2019 legislative session -- June 19 -- Maine lawmakers passed 'An Act to Ensure Proper Oversight of Sports Betting in the State.' Shortly thereafter, the governor vetoed the bill. The legislature could re-introduce the bill later.
29. Nebraska
On November 3, 2020, Nebraska voters approved certain amendments to its state constitution legalizing 'all games of chance.' If the new constitutional amendments are construed to include wagering on sporting events, legalized sports betting could arrive in Nebraska upon the establishment of certain regulations.
30. Connecticut
31. Kentucky
32. Massachusetts
33. Minnesota
34. Missouri
35. Kansas
36. South Carolina
37. California
39. Ohio
Is Texas Legalizing Gambling
40. Arizona
41. Hawaii
Will Texas Ever Legalize Gambling
42. Texas
43. Georgia
Does Texas Have Legalized Gambling
44. Vermont
45. Alabama
46. Florida
47. Alaska
When Did Texas Legalize Gambling
48. Wyoming
No legalization activity ... yet
When Will Texas Legalize Gambling
49-50. Idaho and Wisconsin
These states have not had any publicly-announced bills devoted to sports betting legalization.
Unlikely
51. Utah
Utah's anti-gambling stance is written into the state's constitution. Any change to existing state policy toward gambling would be a massive departure from decades of opposition to any form of gambling, including lottery tickets, table games and sports betting.