Texas Lawmaker Expresses Confidence in House Passage of Sports Betting Bill
Texas Lawmaker Expresses Confidence in House Passage of Sports Betting Bill
A Texas lawmaker has expressed confidence that a sports betting bill will pass in the state’s House of Representatives. The bill would legalize sports betting in Texas, allowing residents to place bets on sporting events from their mobile devices or at licensed locations.
State Representative Dan Huberty, who is sponsoring the bill, said he believes it has a good chance of passing in the House. “I think we have a good shot at getting this through,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of support from both sides of the aisle, and I think people understand that this is something that Texans want.”
The bill would allow licensed operators to offer sports betting in Texas, with a tax rate of 6.25% on gross revenue. The state would also collect a licensing fee of $250,000 from each operator.
Supporters of the bill argue that legalizing sports betting would generate significant revenue for the state, while also providing a safe and regulated environment for Texans to place bets. They point to neighboring states like Oklahoma and Louisiana, which have already legalized sports betting and are reaping the benefits.
Opponents of the bill, however, argue that legalizing sports betting could lead to an increase in problem gambling and addiction. They also argue that it could lead to corruption and match-fixing in sports.
Despite these concerns, many Texans are eager to see sports betting legalized in the state. A recent poll found that 57% of Texans support legalizing sports betting, while only 29% oppose it.
If the bill passes in the House, it will still need to be approved by the Senate and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. While Abbott has not yet taken a position on the issue, he has previously expressed opposition to expanding gambling in the state.
Overall, the future of sports betting in Texas remains uncertain. However, with growing support from lawmakers and residents alike, it seems likely that the issue will continue to be debated in the coming months and years.