AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is hinting at support for sports betting.
In an interview with the Houston Chronicle’s Texas Take podcast, Abbott said he has “no problem” with people betting on sports, going as far to say that he’d be “shocked” if there weren’t people in the state who already do it.
“I don’t have a problem with sports betting,” Abbott said. “The reality is that I’d be shocked if there were not some Texans that do it already.”
Abbott continued, stating that he sees online sports betting as part of the entertainment of watching professional sports.
The governor’s comments come as a growing coalition is ramping up efforts to urge Texas lawmakers to pass legislation that would legalize sports gambling in the state.
During the previous legislative session, the Texas House passed a bill that would’ve allowed an amendment to the Texas Constitution to allow regulated gambling. That bill ultimately failed in the Texas Senate, as most gambling-related bills do in the chamber.