Hopes for Texas to bring the issue of online sports betting to voters in November 2025, aiming for a launch ahead of the 2026 football season, seem to be fading as the State Senate remains a formidable obstacle. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, a Republican, emerges as a significant reason why sports betting might not gain approval in the state until 2027.
Last year, the Texas House of Representatives passed a mobile sports wagering bill, yet it stalled in the staunchly conservative Senate. With this year being a presidential election year, there was initial optimism that lawmakers in the Lone Star State might revisit the subject in 2025. However, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming (EKG) suggests political dynamics make that timeline improbable. The state Republican Party’s platform, published in June, instructs lawmakers to oppose any gambling expansion and any budget that relies on funds from such expansions, according to the research firm.
Legalizing sports betting in Texas necessitates an amendment to the state constitution, requiring two-thirds majorities in both chambers of the legislature before the amendment can be put to voters. Republicans control both houses and the governor’s office, presenting a significant hurdle.
The allure of Texas for the sports betting industry is unmistakable, not just because it is the second-largest state by population. With Florida’s online sports betting dominated by the Seminole Tribe and California likely to adopt a similar tribal-controlled model, Texas stands as the only one among the three largest states poised to offer a competitive commercial sports wagering market. Additionally, Texas is expected to implement a tax regime far more attractive to operators than those in states like Illinois and New York.
Currently, 38 states and Washington, DC, permit some form of sports wagering. Of the states yet to join, only Georgia and Texas are large enough to promise competitive markets. However, legislation related to sports betting failed in Georgia earlier this year. The short-term outlook in Texas appears dim, aggravated by the GOP platform which explicitly opposes efforts from House leadership to pressure members into voting for expanded gambling.
The prospect of legalizing sports betting in Texas by 2027, with a launch the following year, makes sense despite being disappointing to bettors and gaming companies. The 2026 mid-term elections could bring political changes. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who has not publicly commented on the matter, might decide not to seek reelection at the age of 76. As the lieutenant governor, he has substantial control over the State Senate, and if he opposes legislation such as sports wagering, the Senate is unlikely to engage with it.
Governor Greg Abbott has shown increasing openness to gaming expansion, and the Texas House supports sports betting, as do voters according to various polls. This positions Patrick as the pivotal figure whose decision on reelection will significantly influence the future of sports betting in Texas.
