The Latest Texas Sports Betting Vote Results Are Extremely Telling

The legalization of Texas sports betting isn’t happening in 2025. We have known that much about The Lone Star State for a while. But the near future is a different story.

Or is it?

Supporters continue to believe sports betting in Texas will get legalized sometime soon. This stance jibes with the overarching trend in the USA. By the end of 2025, 40 of the 50 states will offer some form of sports betting, in addition to the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 

Still, the rest of the country isn’t necessarily a reflection of the sentiment from Texas lawmakers. Opposition among officials in The Lone Star State is both strong and sweeping. For Texas sports betting to cross the finish line in the next couple of years, there needs to be a noticeable shift in beliefs.

This doesn’t necessarily mean a bill has to make it through both the House of Represensatives and Senate immediately. Incremental progress at least proves policymakers are more open to the idea. Really, what you want to see is more votes in favor of Texas sports betting each year. 

So, the question now becomes: Is that what happened during the latest failed attempt to pass Texas sports betting legislation?

Texas Sports Betting May Actually Be Losing Support Among Lawmakers

As it turns out, the answer to the above question is no. The most recent round of voting shows that the number of officials in support of Texas sports betting and casino legislation may actually be on the downswing. Here is more from Jasper Scherer of The Texas Tribune:

“The effort to legalize casinos in Texas has even less wiggle room than the sports betting contingent. Two years ago, a constitutional amendment to authorize “destination resort” casinos received 92 votes in the House, eight shy of the two-thirds mark. Of the 15 signatories on the letter to King, nine are GOP freshmen whose predecessors voted for the casino measure. A returning member who signed the letter, Rep. J.M. Lozano, R-Kingsville, also supported casino legalization — along with sports betting — and is now vowing to oppose both. That represents a net loss of 10 votes from the 92 who backed the casino proposal in 2023.”

Losing support among incoming lawmakers for casino legalization doesn’t portend good things for future Texas sports betting measures. The two issues are inextricably tied together. Many also maintain that The Lone Star State must first rewrite their casino gaming laws. Then, and only then, will they have the infrasctrue in place to properly regulate online sports betting in the United States.

If that speculation proves accurate, it will delay Texas sports betting legalization by a factor of years. As things stand, residents of The Lone Star State must have the opportunity to vote on a measure during a general election. With 2026 out of the question, this leaves 2028 as the earliest option. If a constitutional amendment gets approved, Texas is likely looking at a sports betting launch in 2029.

But again: This all presumes the House and Senate approve an initiative. With the exception of previous years in the House, there is little evidence suggesting that will happen by 2028. And if it doesn’t, Texas sports betting won’t be live before the end of the decade. 

Could Texas Bypass a Constitutional Amendment to Legalize Sports Wagering?

This question crops up often following the legalization of sports betting in Florida. The Sunshine State launched state-wide gambling via a gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe. And after much litigation, the Floridians can now wager on sports anywhere in the state, using the Seminoles’ Hard Rock betting app. 

However, Texas is not in position to mirror that blueprint. Florida already offered expanded casino gaming, exclusive to tribal nations like the Seminole tribe. The Lone Star State has not yet allowed that, which is why casino legislation is such a hot topic. Could Texas eventually go the gaming compact route? Sure. In order to do so, though, they likely need to expand their casino laws first. That throws them back into the delayed scenario we outlined before. 

Beyond that, though, bypassing a constitutional amendment is likely out of the question. Sports betting advocates continue to cite voter support as a driving force for their legalization attempts. Consider what Matt Hirsch, a spokesperson for a coalition pushing to legalize gambling in The Lone Star State, told The Texas Tribune:

“Denying Texans the chance to vote on this matter not only undermines the democratic process, but also disregards the voices of the very people they represent. The voters of Texas know that destination resorts have the potential to bring significant economic benefits, job creation, and increased tourism to Texas while eliminating the scourge of illegal gaming in Texas.”

Attempting to circumvent the very democratic process being used to push the Texas gambling agenda would be…quite the choice. In all likelihood, it would not go over well. It also stands to limit options after the fact. Online gaming has almost universally required constitutional amendments.

Buckle Up, Because It’s Going to be a While for Texas Sports Betting

The long and short of it all is this: The latest round of Texas sports betting discussions should be considered cause for concern among supporters. There is very little evidence pointing toward legalization anytime soon—particularly while a staunch opponent like Lieutenant Govenor Dan Patrick remains in office.

At this rate, it would be a legitimate shocker if Texas legalizes and launches sports betting before 2030. Things can always change. This industry, along with its supporters and opponents, moves incredibly fast.

In Texas’ case, the sheer amount of overhaul required to turn the tide suggests sports betting is more than a half-decade away.

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