Texas representative Sam Harless filed the first gambling bill of the session on Wednesday (12 February). The constitutional amendment would send the decision to legalise sports betting to state voters in November.
HJR 134 appears to call only for retail sports betting, although it does not explicitly prohibit digital wagering. It would allow for professional sports teams, PGA Tour stops and Class I racetracks to become licensed. The proposal requires that any potential licensees be in existence as of 1 January 2025. Licensees would be able to work with management service providers to operate sportsbooks.
There is no framework in the constitutional amendment and the language is vague:
The constitutional amendment authorising the legislature to legalise wagering in this state on certain sporting events.
Other state legislatures, including Louisiana and Maryland, have gone down similar pathways. Should voters approve in Texas as they did in those states, the legislature would then..