Past legislative proposals gave preference to allowing major horse race tracks to convert to full-blown casinos, which would give Grand Prairie the first location in D-FW because it’s home to Lone Star Park race track.
The survey also identified 72% support among Republicans and 69% support among “born-again Christians.” A poll released last week by the University of Houston found that 75% of adult Texans support legislation to let voters decide on legalizing casinos. Rick Perry is a spokesman for the Sports Betting Alliance, a collective that includes prominent sportsbook operators and all of Texas’ major professional teams.Īs the Legislature studies the issue, gambling remains a popular idea with Texans, who frequently take their money to casinos in Oklahoma and Louisiana. The sports betting lobby is also significant. The company pledged to pay its lobbyists up to $5.9 million this year, according to data from the Texas Ethics Commission.
As of the first week of the 2023 session, Sands had brought on at least 63 lobbyists, more than any other company or entity. Democratic lawmakers and candidates received about $603,500. Las Vegas Sands and its associated political action committees gave $3.1 million in campaign donations last year, with at least $1.7 million of that going to Republicans.
