The Lone Star State won't see legal sports betting in 2023 if Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has anything to say about it.
Patrick will prevent the Texas Senate from considering a constitutional amendment to legalize online sports betting. The Lt. Governor decided to take to Twitter and give his thoughts on the matter.
I've said repeatedly there is little to no support for expanding gaming from Senate GOP. I polled members this week. Nothing changed. The senate must focus on issues voters expect us to pass. We don’t waste time on bills without overwhelming GOP support. HB1942 won’t be referred.…
— Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (@LtGovTX) May 13, 2023
As a result, it will be at least another two years before Texans will have the opportunity to bet on sports legally.
This follows up on Thursday's news when the Texas House approved HJR 102, a bill to amend the Texas constitution to allow online sports betting sites in the state. The bill passed with 101 votes, providing the two-thirds majority needed for constitutional amendments. Its companion bill, HB 1942, only needed a simple majority to pass, which it did with 82 votes. Patrick made it clear these will also not be referred.
Texas is a red state. Yet the House vote on sports betting was carried by a Dem majority.
— Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (@LtGovTX) May 14, 2023
The Texas Senate doesn’t pass bills with GOP in the minority. The GOP majority guides our path.
HJR102 also will not be referred.
Can’t waste committee/floor time in the last days. #txlege
The Long Wait
As stated above, if the Senate fails to consider HJR 102 this session it will be a long time before Texas sports betting is legalized. The Texas legislature is biennial, meeting once every two years. This legislative session ends on May 29, with the next session not commencing until January 14, 2025. Since the initiative would require a constitutional amendment, it would still have to go before Texas voters — which would be unlikely to occur before November 2025.
Meanwhile, a number of Republican Senators are likely relieved by Patrick’s stance. A vote against the initiative would have put them at odds with every professional sports team in the state, most Texans, and several business associations. A vote for the initiative would put them at odds with their party leadership. Now, at least, they have cover for another two years.
