Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones just lately endorsed legalizing on-line Texas sports activities betting. 

The endorsement will not be precisely shocking. The Cowboys are a part of the Texas Sports activities Betting Alliance, a lobbying group comprised of professional sports activities groups and sportsbooks looking for to legalize on-line Texas sports activities betting. 

“I believe it’s actually a factor that must be addressed right now,” Jones mentioned on the Ok&C Masterpiece radio present final week. 

Texas legislative timeline

The Texas state legislative session runs from Jan. 10-Might 29.

A web based sports activities betting invoice should be submitted by March 10. A spokesperson for the SBA informed LSR it hopes to have the ability to make creator and invoice bulletins in early February.

Any change to the state structure requires a two-thirds vote in each legislative chambers, after which easy majority approval by voters in November 2023.

Fanatics Sportsbook just lately turned the most recent entrant into an SBA group that already included:

Why Jones needs Texas sports activities betting

In explaining his reasoning, Jones cited that sports activities betting is already widespread, albeit not legally within the Lone Star State. 

He additionally famous that tax income raised from on-line sports activities betting might imply decrease property taxes and elevated instructional funding. 

“All of these issues might be enhanced by one thing that’s presently occurring in an enormous, large means, and we ought to be getting the good thing about it as residents of Texas,” Jones mentioned. 

“Different states surrounding us are. So it’s a time I believe for us to set the principles up and execute on it and get the advantages of it.” 

Texas sports activities betting affect

In August 2022, Forbes valued the Cowboys at an NFL-best $8 billion.

In the meantime, Bloomberg pegs Jones’ present web price at $11.4 billion. 

The Houston Chronicle reported in November that greater than 300 lobbyists have been registered to work on Texas playing points. 

Lt. Gov. Patrick should be swayed

Nonetheless, any shot at legalization might hinge on whether or not Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick might be swayed to assist a push. The just lately re-elected LG is president of the state Senate.

Up to now, Patrick hasn’t mentioned no within the subject like he has previously. However he additionally hasn’t publicly endorsed authorized on-line sports activities betting both. 

Patrick is considered as probably probably the most vital roadblock within the course of shy of Gov. Greg Abbott, although the Houston Chronicle reported Abbott is open to listening on gaming points.

Patrick mum on Texas sports activities wagering

The Lieutenant Governor pushed again on gaming enlargement efforts in the course of the 2021 state legislative session. 

“I haven’t had anybody point out it to me, that they’re considering doing something,” Patrick informed an Austin TV station about expanded playing. “A variety of speak on the market, however I don’t see any motion on it.” 

One trade supply just lately informed LSR that Patrick might want to present “a transparent sign” that he intends to maneuver on the problem this yr. 

“In any other case you’re going to have a legislature that isn’t considering pursuing one thing that isn’t blessed by the Lieutenant Governor,” the supply mentioned. “I believe extra work must be performed to get a agency dedication.”