The debate around the legalization of gambling is heating up in Texas, but four Republican candidates vying to become Texas’ next attorney general are united on supporting strict enforcement of the state’s gambling laws, according to the Texas Scorecard.
With the March 2026 primary approaching, contenders have each voiced opposition to online gambling and any expansion of wagering in the state.
Key Takeaways
- Texas attorney general candidates draw sharp lines on online gambling enforcement.
- All four candidates pledged to uphold Texas’ strict gambling laws.
- The stances come as legalized gambling causes an increase in addiction.
Aaron Reitz, a Marine Corps veteran and former deputy attorney general, has said he would use every tool available to uphold the state’s existing rules, while State Sen. Joan Huffman, who has led several key Senate committees, pledged to continue opposing gambling expansion, emphasizing prosecution of illegal operators.
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, another former assistant attorney general, and State Sen. Mayes Middleton both took a similar stance.
Texas Scorecard research states legalized gambling correlates with surges in addiction and financial harm and that over half of sports betting revenue comes from problem gamblers.
Texas law currently defines gambling as any game of chance for value.
Dan Patrick's re-election bid a blow for gambling reform efforts
Another election decision could be the final blow for attempts to legalize gambling in the state, as Lt. Gen. Dan Patrick announced he will seek another term. He has stated there are not enough Republican votes in the Senate for gambling expansion and has repeatedly blocked Democrat-led
bills from reaching the floor.
Casino and sports betting advocates, including Las Vegas Sands and the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, a coalition of online platforms and professional sports teams, had been hoping for renewed debate in 2025. Yet, Patrick’s re-election launch signaled no shift in his position.
Efforts to allow voters to decide via constitutional amendment failed to gain traction in the 2025 session, and the state GOP platform still firmly opposes any gambling expansion, while new Republican lawmakers seem even less receptive to the idea than their predecessors.
Lottery commission dissolved after scandal, oversight failures
In related gambling news, the Texas Lottery Commission has been officially dissolved, following allegations of money laundering, mismanagement, and illegal online ticket sales. Control of the $8-billion operation now falls to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which inherits nearly 300 employees and oversight of more than 20,000 retailers.
The move was prompted by Senate Bill 3070, which introduced strict limits on ticket sales and banned courier companies that had dominated the market. Lawmakers said couriers’ bulk ticket purchases, including a $95-million jackpot win in 2023, raised red flags over potential fraud.
Under TDLR, the lottery will face tighter scrutiny and new advisory committees, with a state audit scheduled in 2029 to determine whether the operation will continue. But for players and retailers, the immediate concern is declining sales, as revenues for education have dropped 11% this year, marking a second consecutive annual fall.
