It seems like no more than a couple weeks can pass without more betting issues arising for Texas betting news. While the majority of the focus has been on sports betting, don't forget that betting as a whole is strongly regulated, with things limited to only a few on tribal lands and slot machine locations. In terms of the latter, the rise of slot machines adds to the Texas gambling drama in the state. Is anyone surprised at this point?

In recent months, we're indeed seeing plenty more of the 'bell-ringing slots' that have made their way to different establishments, particularly in the northern part of the state. While there has been some legal pushback, it has been reported via an article from the Dallas Morning News that no rules are being broken and the spots that have brought them in aren't doing anything that would be deemed illegal. This is of course raising eyebrows across the board.

“They’re kind of waving this in the air now and saying their machines are not gambling devices and therefore legal,” Texas District and County Attorneys Association Director Shannon Edmonds said via an interview with the Dallas Morning News. “They’re going to start pushing more aggressively and putting these machines all over."

Could this indeed lead to many more rolling in as well? It's a bit surprising what we're seeing now, but if word continues to come in that these slots are being allowed to keep popping up, then it could inspire more of them to get purchased and put under operation. It will be interesting to see what happens, but it's surely going to be something to keep a close eye on moving forward, that's for sure.

This gambling issue comes with illegal sports betting on the rise too

Looking at things as a whole, it's safe to say that this gambling issue comes with illegal sports betting on the rise too. We've discussed the impact of the World Cup, but the San Antonio Spurs going through their deep run in the NBA postseason sure has a lot of people talking too. Despite Dallas fans focused on the Mavericks, they're also seeing what San Antonio is getting done on the hardwood.

This keys in with the rise of slot machines in the Dallas area too, which is also hard to ignore. Overall in Texas, between these slot machines and sports bookies working overtime from the NBA action, it's a growing issue for several different reasons. Because of this, it really only adds to the urgency to try and get things legalized in terms of sports betting, but we don't have to remind you that nothing is going right there.

As of this writing on May 25, there are no promising sports betting bills in the works, but the hope is that changes in the near future. However, until something exciting is developed there, the more issues there are going to be with illegal activity. Add in the slot machines and it feels like everyone is working overtime with different betting events. Will there end up being a stop to things, though?

Texas is bracing for World Cup action to be sky-high through the prediction markets

Before we forget too, remember that Texas is bracing for World Cup action to be sky-high through the prediction markets. Once again, the use of prediction markets in the Lone Star State continues to be a major point of discussion, as things are not slowing down there in the slightest. And with Dallas ready to host World Cup games, that won't stop.

When taking a look at the Soccer betting sites, it's safe to say that France, England and Argentina are the main teams that people are putting their money down on in terms of a World Cup Champion for this summer. With the start of the World Cup coming in a few weeks, the expectation is those betting numbers will grow.

In a recent report, it was estimated that more than $30 million will be gambled nationwide on the World Cup through prediction markets. With no legal sports betting in Texas, it's safe to assume that a good chunk of that total number will come from Texas too. We'll have to wait and see what the World Cup betting handle ends up being, but it should be big.