Texas Sports Betting Alliance Thanks Governor Greg Abbott For Support

Governor Greg Abbott expressed measured support for sports betting in Texas during a recent podcast appearance. And the Texas sports betting Alliance seems pretty happy about it.

President of the Sports Betting Alliance Jeremy Kudon released a statement thanking Abbott for his endorsement. “[It] echoes what we’re hearing from Texans,” he said (via Esports Insider’s Brett Curtis). “They want the opportunity to vote on legalizing sports betting and putting in place a strong, regulatory framework that protects consumers and boosts revenue in the state.”

Important people seem to be saying encouraging things about sports betting in Texas. On its face, this seems like a big deal. After all, Governor Abbott is the official who must sign any Texas sports betting bill into law. 

Still, as always, we must ask a simple yet defining question: How much does any of this matter?

How Strong is Governor Abbott’s Support for Texas Sports Betting

We have already covered Governor Abbott’s Texas sports betting comments. But it bears revisiting to them in light of the Texas Sports Betting Alliance’s strong response. 

“I don't have a problem with online sports betting,’ Abbott told Texas Take podcast hosts Jeremy Wallace and Scott Braddock (via ABC 8). “I would be shocked if there's not some Texans who do it already. It's a very common practice and it seems to be part of the entertainment that goes along when you're watching a football game, especially pro football, or other types of sports.”

Whether you can call this a pro-gambling stance is debatable. It is far from a ringing endorsement. And it is also not like Governor Abbott uses overwhelmingly strong language. Officials in other states deliver far more definitive opinions on a regular basis.

At the same time, this represents a fundamental shift in Abbott’s philosophy. Before the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act back in 2018, he was pretty clearly against the legalization of Texas sports betting. 

These podcast comments still read like someone who understands the financial benefits of sports gambling. In this case, though, it has to qualify as illustrative support. It is too much of a wholesale departure from previous thinking. 

And even if this is not the strongest vote of support, Abbott’s comments do show how perception of sports betting can evolve over time.

Are Texans In Support of Sports Betting Legalization?

Both Governor Abbott and the Texas Sports Betting Alliance tangentially mention or allude to residents of The Lone Star State already wagering on events. This implies a level of support among constituents. And that pro-gambling sentiment is considered debatable.

Part of why Texas sports betting legislation routinely gets gummed up in the Senate boils down to a lack of conviction that the voting population actually wants it. Other factors are involved, too. But this doubt is front and center as well.

Well, a recent Texas sports betting poll calls that skepticism into question. Rice University political science professor Mark Jones recently told ABC News their study about 75 percent of Texans favored legalization of destination casinos. It also apparently found that around 60 percent favored the legalization of online sports betting in the United States. 

These are pretty convincing figures. They suggest that if sports betting measures ever make it onto the electoral ballot, they will in turn be approved. 

Of course, it is impossible to know for sure. Surveys always have a margin for error. But this study touts a pretty sizable majority. Even if it’s not totally accurate, it’ll need to be off by quite a lot for reality to reflect the exact opposite sentiment.

Where Does the Push for Sports Betting in Texas Stand?

With all of this said, voter support means only so much if the Texas House of Representatives and Senate do not build and approve casino and sports betting legislation. And since the legislature convened in January 2025, there has been little chatter about a bill that would legalize sports betting or casino commercialization.

To be sure, there is still time for this to change. The subject is clearly on the minds of state officials. Texas’ state legislature also will not adjourn until June 2025. A Texas sports betting bill must be drawn up and approved well before then. But even then, this gives the House and Senate time to find common ground.

Now whether they can find that happy medium is a separate matter. There is quite a big gap between supporters and opponents.

On the bright side, the House of Representatives previously approved a sports betting bill. And they seem willing to do so again. But Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has repeatedly hinted that any Texas sports betting bill will be dead on arrival in the Senate. 

So far, this holds true. The Senate never voted on the previous piece of sports betting legislation. It isn’t clear whether the status quo has changed. Support from Governor Abbott might help. Ditto for the continued efforts of the Texas sports betting alliance. However, going from “not discussing it at all” to “voting and approving a gambling bill” is quite the leap. And frankly, it does not seem like one the Senate is ready to make. One way or another, though, we’ll know for sure in no more than a few months’ time.

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