written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
29 Mar 2024
Journalist, Editorial Department
Las Vegas Sands has renewed its efforts to legalize commercial casinos in Texas. The Texas Destination Resort Alliance, in which the operator plays a leading role, has submitted a petition for consideration by lawmakers.
This is not the company's first attempt to influence Texas gambling laws. In 2022, it established the Texas Sands political action committee, investing $2 million in an initiative to legalize casinos.
Currently, the state permits lotteries, certain types of betting, and bingo. Casinos are only allowed on tribal reservations and are operated by federally recognized tribes. According to Texas law, a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is required to approve constitutional amendments. Only then can the issue of legalizing commercial casinos be put to a voter referendum.
The petition from the Texas Destination Resort Alliance emphasizes a commitment to providing residents with quality entertainment, luxury resorts, and fine dining. "This measure will bring billions of dollars back to Texas from neighboring states to stimulate the economy. Texans will see several billion dollars invested in local services they rely on," representatives of the Texas Destination Resort Alliance stated.
In December 2023, Las Vegas Sands acquired a controlling stake in the Texas basketball team, the Dallas Mavericks. Around the same time, a company associated with Sands, Village Walk RE 2 LLC, purchased a 108-acre parcel of land in Irving, near Texas Stadium. While the intended use of the land remains unclear, Sands has expressed interest in developing a comprehensive resort in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Notably, the UK Gambling Commission has introduced quarterly regulatory reports for gambling companies.
