Texas: gambling legislation is unlikely right now

The five-term senator and his staff did not make themselves available to comment on what, if any, gaming-related legislation he might offer during future sessions.

Jim Wortman, director of Gaming Education and Research at the Conrad Hilton College at the University of Houston, said legislation similar to that proposed by Ellis consistently faces a pair of big hurdles every time it comes up.

First, the groups lobbying for gambling in some form all want a different thing – gaming that benefit them specifically. “There is just no exciting parameter for everyone to climb on board with,” Wortman said. “They want slot machines where it will help them.”

In addition, according to the 30-year research on gambling, no one has brought forward a plan that shows how gaming might benefit all of the counties in Texas, rather than just the ones with large metropolitan populations that can support gambling venues.

 “If I’m in the Hill Country, I’m saying ‘What’s in it for me,’” Wortman said, adding the logical conclusion would be lost local revenues once discretionary dollars started being spent on legal gambling outside the county.

The second and perhaps larger obstacle in his view is the inability of proponents to get gambling bills out of committee. Anti-gaming forces have been highly effective in controlling key committee positions for a number of years now, he said

Wortman said he has “no doubt” a gaming referendum would pass, if it made it before voters, however. “They are afraid the general public will say, ‘Let’s do it,’” he said. Meanwhile, the wagering dollars go elsewhere

Each year, Texans spend about US$ 2.5 billion gambling in other states, even by most conservative estimates. Obviously, seeing that money spent at home could mean a boon to both taxing entities and businesses.

“Ok, I’ll go ahead and use the appropriate term. I would bet there will be legislation filed again next session,” said Mike Lavigne, a pro-gaming lobbyist. “This effort has been going on for over a decade in some form.”

Lavigne said track operators will remain vigilant in trying to get legalization allowing slot machines at racing venues – also known as “racinos” – before voters as soon as possible. It is a matter of survival. Many track operators are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with tracks across the state line that has slots and other forms of gaming.

“There will be fewer race tracks this (next) session, one or two less anyway, just because the Legislature does nothing to help the industry,” Lavigne said. “That’s fine, but voters should get a say on how this messes with jobs and property taxes.”

Still, many opposing groups, such as Texans Against Gambling, a coalition of political, religious and law enforcement groups, maintains gambling doesn’t boost revenues over the long haul and leads to crime and bankruptcies. They say those on fixed incomes are hurt the worst.

The group says most of those who place wagers are “convenience gamblers,” who don’t go farther than 30 miles from home to participate. They argue that most of the money is already local money that could have been spent in a better way.