Texas Casino Push Faces Republican Roadblock in 2025 Senate

As Texas approaches its 2025 legislative session, efforts to legalize commercial casinos face significant resistance, especially in the state Senate. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently shared his perspective on the issue, suggesting that support for casino legalization is far from substantial among Senate Republicans—a crucial hurdle given the GOP’s control of the chamber.

 

The Legislative Landscape: Skepticism from Key Leaders

Lieutenant Governor Patrick, a staunch conservative who presides over the Senate, has often dismissed gambling-related bills, but this year, he provided a stark assessment of casino prospects in the Senate. Speaking on the WFAA podcast Y’all-tics, Patrick estimated that only three or four Republican Senators out of the chamber’s 20 GOP members would support casino legalization. Given that a constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds Senate majority (21 votes), Republican support would need to grow significantly for any bill to pass.

In Texas, proposed constitutional amendments, like those involving casino legalization, must clear the legislature before going to voters. So even if a casino bill manages to pass the House—a feat achieved by sports betting legislation last session—it still faces an uphill journey in the Senate, where partisan divisions and strategic opposition have kept such bills from advancing.

In the last legislative session in 2023, gaming bills including casino and sports betting were presented in the House, where they made notable progress before being blocked in the Senate. A proposed sports betting constitutional amendment managed to secure the 100 votes needed in the House, but was effectively halted after Patrick announced that it would not be considered by the Senate. Meanwhile, a bill authorizing eight resort casinos failed by a slim margin on a House vote.

This cycle underscores a critical difference between the House and Senate on gambling issues: While House Speaker Dade Phelan is willing to call bills for a vote even if they attract bipartisan support, Patrick only brings bills to the floor if they align heavily with his party’s majority. Patrick noted that the House vote relied on Democratic support and just a minority of Republican votes, a tactic he rejects for the Senate.

 

Who’s Advocating for Casinos in Texas?

Industry heavyweights like Las Vegas Sands have invested millions into lobbying Texas lawmakers for casino legalization, arguing that it would provide Texans an economic boost and bring new tourism. At the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) last month, Sands SVP of Government Relations Andy Abboud confirmed that any casino bill would have to originate in the Senate for 2025, adding that there is “better than 50%” confidence in a favorable outcome.

Yet despite industry optimism, Patrick’s comments reflect the opposite view. He challenged casino proponents to increase advocacy efforts, citing a lack of constituent-driven demand for legalization. He maintained that while some Texans support the measure, it does not rank high on their legislative priorities, nor is it a popular stance among Republican primary voters.

To bring a casino legalization bill to a vote, Patrick has set a high bar: approximately 15 or 16 Republican Senators, or three-quarters of the GOP caucus, would need to support it. Although 11 Democrats could theoretically back a casino amendment, Patrick stated that he won’t bring the issue to the floor without this supermajority within his own party.

Republican priorities could complicate the legislative strategy even further. Rep. Jeff Leach, a leading sponsor of past sports betting legislation, mentioned that future gaming bills would have to start in the Senate. This approach aims to ensure that the issue has enough traction before re-entering the House, where last-minute disappointments have left lawmakers hesitant to invest in another uncertain bid.

 

The Broader Context: Casinos, Sports Betting, and the Texas Divide

The debate over casinos isn’t the only gaming issue in Texas. Sports betting advocates, including prominent stakeholders represented at G2E, have been considering whether to consolidate efforts with the casino lobby to push a combined ballot measure in 2025. This proposal could simplify the legislative effort but also complicate it by expanding the scope of opposition from groups concerned about the social impact of expanded gambling.

Lt. Gov. Patrick suggested that any significant movement on the casino issue could provoke opposition from various constituencies, such as pastors and conservative community organizations, who have yet to organize formally against it.

 

Conclusion: Will 2025 Bring a Turning Point?

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s reluctance to advance casino legislation in the Senate places a major roadblock for Texas gaming advocates, signaling another potentially unproductive session. While there’s a strong push from industry leaders and moderate optimism in the House, the Senate’s conservative stronghold remains a powerful force against expanding gaming. For now, Texans hoping for casinos will likely continue waiting, as legislative roadblocks persist under the current political climate.