SAN ANTONIO — Gov. Greg Abbott is reversing course when it comes to online sports gambling in Texas. Abbott’s changing tune could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for Texas.
The Governor made the comments Tuesday after a new study from the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs shows 60 percent of Texans support legalizing online gambling.
“I’m thrilled about it. I mean, Texas is late to the party. A lot of states are doing this and Texas is just late to the party,” said Joe Reinagel, The Blitz co-host on 94.1 San Antonio Sports Star.
Reinagel has been gambling for close to 15 years. He’s thrilled the governor has done a 180.
“I gamble online. But none of that tax revenue comes to the state of Texas,” Reinagel said. “It goes somewhere else. And I know there’s a lot of people like me that do it as well. And we don’t get any benefit of it as Texas citizens.”
Several major Texas sports franchises like the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros and the San Antonio Spurs have teamed up with sports gaming companies including Draft Kings, FanDuel and BetMGM and the Texas Sports Betting Alliance to push for legalized sports betting.
“Polling has shown that a majority, an overwhelming majority of Texans really want this. They want a regulatory framework put in place where consumers are protected, their information is protected, and that also brings extra revenue to the state,” said Karina Kling, the spokesperson for the Texas Sports Betting Alliance.
The American Gaming Association gross gaming revenue for the U.S. topped $10.9 billion in 2023. That year Americans wagered close to $120 billion with legal sportsbooks. That is up significantly from 2022 when Americans wagered just $93 billion.
Reinagel’s co-host Jason Minnix says get the measure on the ballot.
“Don’t let politicians decide. Let the residents decide. If it got voted no, I’d be disappointed. But at least it went to the voters and the public. And it’s not just a political football,” said Minnix.
In November, Texas State Senator Carol Alvarado introduced Senate Joint Resolution 16, which would allow for legalized sports betting and casinos in Texas.
The Texas Sports Betting Alliance says a new bill is in the works solely for online sports gambling, which they hope will push this forward.