Plans to build a Hard Rock Casino right on the border of The Lone Star State and The Sooner State could lead to a dramatic uptick in Texas sports betting. But not in the way that you might think.
Indeed, technically speaking, sports betting in Texas cannot actually be on the rise. It’s not legal. And the subject has yet to gain any real traction inside the Senate. Many believe it could be years, at best, before Texas legalizes any form of sports gambling.
None of which means Texans aren’t actively partaking in sports betting. On the contrary, they have the ability to bet with online sportsbooks outside the United States. They can also visit nearby states with legal sports gambling. And that’s where the proposed Hard Rock Casino in Texas could eventually come into play.
The Latest Hard Rock Casino is Expected to be Complete by 2026
Let’s begin this discussion by diving into Hard Rock International’s recent announcement that they will begin construction on a “2,700-acre master-planned community” that will feature everything from a casino to golf course and much more. Here’s ABC 8’s Rachel Snyder with more details:
“Hard Rock International says it plans to begin construction on a 189-room hotel and conference center along Lake Texoma near the Texas-Oklahoma border in March in partnership with Pointe Vista Holding Company. The Hard Rock Hotel and Residences is planned within the Pointe Vista development, a 2,700-acre master-planned resort community stretching along 19 miles of shoreline designed to include a casino, golf course, enclosed waterpark, family entertainment center, amphitheater and more.
“Lake Texoma attracts nearly 7 million visitors every year, hosting multiple fishing and golf tournaments at the country's 14th-largest reservoir, according to a news release. The Chickasaw Nation opened West Bay Casino and Resort overlooking Lake Texoma near Kingston last spring. Hard Rock says its planned project, which has targeted a 2026 opening, includes 25 suites and 168 residence rentals, and an 18,000-square-foot conference center and event lawn.”
For our purposes, the question is now: How does this have anything to do with Texas sports betting? The answer might not be clear at first glance. In actuality, though, the future of sports betting in Oklahoma could end up having a massive impact on The Lone Star State.
Here’s How the New Hard Rock Casino Could Impact Texas Sports Betting
As of now, sports betting is not legalized throughout Oklahoma. That puts The Sooner State in the same boat as Texas. However, unlike The Lone Star State, Oklahoma policymakers are aggressively pursuing avenues to legalize sports betting in 2024. Not only has Governor Kevin Stitt made it his mission for years, but the state’s tribes are interested in making the transition, as well. Though there’s no guarantee The Sooner State green lights sports gambling this year, it is on their legislative agenda.
And if they do legalize it, you can bet the Hard Rock Casino near the Texas border will be given an Oklahoma sports betting license. This will be especially true if online sportsbooks in the United States aren’t allowed to enter the market. It’s unclear whether that will be the case. Governor Stitt has pushed for mobile betting sites in Oklahoma as part of his vision. But the push-back from tribes could be strong enough for The Sooner State to look at exclusively legalizing on-site sports betting, as a handful of other places have done.
Regardless, any movement on sports gambling in Oklahoma will lead to a noticeable uptick in Texas sports betting.
The Lake Texoma location is within driving distance for many Texans. There will be plenty of people who cross state lines to place their wagers. There’s a chance the Lake Texoma Hard Rock Casino becomes a go-to destination for Texans who live further away, too. As the announcement states, Lake Texoma is already a fairly popular tourist destination, and the Hard Rock Casino will be built in tandem with a vacation-style resort. Ergo, it will become a destination for Texas sports betting enthusiasts even if they have to make a trip out of it.
Could the Construction of the Hard Rock Casino Lead to More Urgent Discussions About Texas Sports Betting?
This latest development isn’t a huge issue on its face. Texans are already leaving the state to place wagers. But there will be a monumental increase in access if the Hard Rock Casino in Oklahoma includes a sportsbook. And that, in turn, means more and more potential Texas sports betting revenue will be funneled outside the state.
Whether that loss of possible revenue pushes The Lone Star State to more seriously consider the legalization of Texas sports betting remains to be seen. Policymakers have remained fairly ardent in their opposition to sports gambling. But the legalization of sports betting in neighboring states has a way of forcing reconsideration. This may be no different.
To that end, the key to the future of sports betting in Texas may lie with the decision facing Oklahoma lawmakers this year. If they legalize sports betting in 2024, it will, at minimum, make it easier for Texans to bet on sports by 2026. At best, though, it will prompt The Lone Star State to take stock of its own gaming laws and maybe, just maybe, approach the issue of Texas sports betting with more open minds and dialogue.
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