Round Top’s Perry Leading Charge on Sports Betting in Texas

Fayette County resident and former Texas Governor Rick Perry wants Texas to legalize mobile sports betting.

Sports Betting Alliance hired Perry as a spokesman during the lead-up to the current Texas Legislative session.

“Legalizing mobile sports betting in Texas will finally allow the state to protect consumers from illegal offshore betting sites while keeping the money generated from betting in Texas to benefit Texans,” Perry said in a promotional video by the Sports Betting Alliance.

The Sports Betting Alliance estimates that about $8.7 billion in illegal bets are placed in Texas each year. The Alliance says those bets could generate more than a quarter billion dollars in taxes for the State annually.

“In this current unregulated environment, there’s no guarantee that folks will see their payout, or if their personal information is safe,” Perry said. “There’s also no legal recourse when these unscrupulous offshore bookies scam consumers.”

Mobile sports betting is legal in 35 states, including Louisiana and Arkansas. The Oklahoma State Legislature will consider legalizing sports betting this year.

“Neighboring states are cashing in on Texas’ bets with none of these potential dollars going to the State of Texas,” Perry said.

Sports betting isn’t the only form of gambling that state lawmakers might legalize this year. A parallel push to open up casino gambling in Texas is also making its way through the Legislature. Gambling is mostly illegal in Texas except for the lottery, horse and greyhound racing and bingo. Texas has three tribal casinos, which are allowed to operate under federal law. The late Sheldon Adelson and his Las Vegas Sands casino empire have pushed the State to legalize casino gambling in Texas for several years.

The Texas Tribune reported this week that Governor Greg Abbott and Texas House Speaker Dave Phelan have expressed support for casinos in Texas. A spokesperson for Abbott told reporters last fall that the Governor was interested in creating a “very professional entertainment option for Texans.”

Phelan outlined his vision for casinos in a media briefing with reporters earlier this month.

“What I don’t want to see is to walk into every convenience store and see 15 slot machines,” Phalen said. “I want to see destination-style casinos that are high quality and that create jobs and that improve the lifestyle of those communities.”