Gambling opponent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick plans on seeking re-election
The already long-shot hopes for legalized casinos and sports betting in Texas have dimmed further after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced his bid for another four-year term. Patrick has long stood against gambling expansion, and his continued presence in office all but guarantees that new proposals will face the same uphill battle they have in recent years.
Patrick wields considerable influence over the Senate agenda, determining which bills reach the floor. He has repeatedly said Republican senators do not support gambling expansion, making it clear that any effort to pass casinos or online sports betting lacks the necessary votes. His firm stance has been cited by both supporters and opponents as one of the central barriers preventing progress.
Industry stakeholders, including Las Vegas Sands and the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, have closely monitored Patrick’s position. Sands declined to comment on his re-election race, while the Alliance indicated it would continue negotiating with lawmakers in hopes of a breakthrough. However, those familiar with the Senate’s makeup argue that resistance runs much deeper than Patrick alone, with many Republicans citing moral objections and concerns tied to regulatory oversight.
Efforts to amend the Texas Constitution to allow casinos and sports betting have repeatedly faltered. This year, no measures advanced to a Senate hearing, and House proposals also stalled under Speaker Dustin Burrows, who showed little interest in pushing the issue forward.
Analysts note that skepticism toward gambling has persisted in part due to controversies involving the state lottery, which have made lawmakers wary of adding new forms of wagering. For now, with Patrick seeking another term, casino operators and sports betting advocates face yet another cycle of frustration in their bid to crack open one of the largest untapped gambling markets in the United States.
