Legislative Watch: Are Casinos Coming to Texas?

Back in January, we brought you the story of Preston Hollow resident Jack Pratt. The founding chairman of the Texas Gaming Association has been working to bring casinos and “Las Vegas-style gambling” to the Lone Star State since the ’80s to no avail. But he thinks the budget woes of 2011 are just what the Black Jack dealer ordered. The Bill (House Joint Resolution 28) has been filed, read, and considered in a public hearing. It is now pending in committee. You can follow the bill’s progress at the Texas Legislature Online.

According to the latest survey from the Texas Gaming Association, 67 percent of registered voters approve of destination resort casinos. Democrats lead the charge, with 75 percent in favor, but Republicans support change to the tune of 65 percent.

“These polling numbers are very encouraging.  They demonstrate that even the most conservative voters want Texans to decide whether and what kind of expanded gambling options should be legal in our state,” Pratt said. “This is the message the legislature needs to hear.”

By Claire St. Amant Apr. 5, 2011 | 8:00 am | 4 Comments | Comments RSS
4 comments to "Legislative Watch: Are Casinos Coming to Texas?"
  1. Carolyn @ June 13, 2011 at 5:53 pm
    Hi, I live in Wise County. There are alot of us here in Texas, go to other states because we have to, not because we want to! My friends and I spend over $10,000 a month going out of state. We are not alone. Yes for Casinos in Texas this year.

  2. Mel @ October 17, 2011 at 4:58 pm
    just look in the parking lot of the casinos just across the state line they are full of Texas tags that tax money needs to stay here in Texas plus think of the jobs and I don’t mean just Indian think if local communities opened casinos the benefits wow what a win fall.

  3. James Rodgers @ April 2, 2012 at 1:31 pm
    I have written to Gov. Perry several times suggesting that Texas should not be forcing citizens to go out of state to Casinos . I told him that it is obvious that
    ” rivers of Texas money ” are flowing to other states needlessly and that fuel consumption is a big negative result as well for not having Casinos locally . I also told Gov. Perry that , if he wants to speak with some good Baptists regarding Casinos in Texas , he will have to go to Okla. or Shreveport to find them !!

    The Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells would be absolutely ideal and I predict the nice small town of Mineral Wells , Texas shall someday be the Las Vegas of Texas .
    Thanks ,
    James Rodgers

  4. Are You Willing to Bet on Casinos? | Oak Cliff People @ May 29, 2012 at 5:19 pm
    [...] !important; } // Preston Hollow resident Jack Pratt has been fighting to bring casinos to Texas for about 30 years. Today, you can bring that fight one step closer to entering the ring of public opinion. As D [...]

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