As has been the case for quite a long time, Texas betting news has been mostly negative. However, is there a glimmer of hope on the way for people who are ready for history to be made? That could be the case depending on how things go for the next election for Governor. As things stand, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is looking for his fourth term in the position, but Vikki Goodwin surging in the Governor race is big for Texas betting. Why's that?

Because for a long time now, few people in the state of Texas have voiced more opposition for Texas betting that Patrick. Straight up, he has essentially done everything in his power to make sure that things don't move forward. He has claimed that it would send a bad message to the youth, while claiming gambling addiction would skyrocket in the state. However, a new poll shows that Goodwin might actually be the favorite, which could ultimately help with the betting efforts.

Texas needs to amend its constitution to legalize sports betting," Reporter Dan Angell wrote in a new piece for The Lines. "That’s a multi-step process, which first requires a bill to pass both the state House and Senate with two-thirds support. If that support is achieved, the question goes on the ballot at the next election. Patrick, a fierce opponent of gambling, has used his position to block the question. Previously, he has said that he’s not going to pass anything that isn’t a Republican-led effort."

That just confirms to us that Patrick is not going to do anything to help get things over the line, but someone like Goodwin might enter and provide different opinions on things. This will all come down to the voters, but the early signs seem to indicate Patrick could be in trouble of getting that extra term. If that ends up being the case, betting proponents will be ready to celebrate.

World Cup betting gave Texas officials something serious to think about

Looking at things as a whole too, it's safe to say that World Cup betting gave Texas officials something serious to think about. Per multiple reports, betting, through prediction markets, skyrocketed in Texas from start to finish, which is not a surprise at all. AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, played host to some fantastic games throughout the tournament.

And with that, people were fired up to load up their prediction markets accounts and place some futures bets. With so much activity during that month of soccer action, it raised eye-brows to how much money and potential tax revenue Texas is missing out on. This of course isn't a new issue, but it was highlighted because of the World Cup.

In the end, Spain won it all, taking down Argentina in the final. This was just one of many big-time events the Lone Star State couldn't capitalize on from a betting standpoint. The hope is that by the time the next World Cup gets here in 2030, legal betting will be on the table and people in the state will be able to put money down on their favorite teams. You never know, someone like Goodwin could help steer things in that direction.

The next legislative session will be key for the Texas betting push

It goes without saying, but the next legislative session will be key for the Texas betting push. Plenty of people surely have their calendars marked for January 2027, as that's when things could potentially start heating up. A reminder too that the state legislature meets in odd years, which means that trying to get the green light for things in 2026 was simply out of the question.

Now, though, once '27 gets here, the door will be swung open for lawmakers to meet and see if they can meet somewhere in the middle for sports betting. If Patrick does get his fourth term, not a ton of confidence will be in place for things to be changed - that's how strongly he is against things.

Despite that, you just never know what might go down if he is no longer in office. It will be interesting to see what happens with that race, but one way or the other it's going to have a huge say in how things go down. Texas needs sports betting, and it needs it soon. Might 2027 be the year where history is made? We sure hope so.