Does Donald Trump Presidential Victory Pave The Way for Legal Texas Sports Betting?

Could Donald Trump winning the 2024 presidential election end up helping the push to legalize Texas sports betting? 

Many believe it just might.

This is a pretty counterintuitive development. Presidential elections are not supposed to have an impact on sports betting in the United States. When the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act back in 2018, they left the fate of legal sports betting to each individual state. That means elections for the Senate and House of Representatives technically have more sway over the future of sports betting in Texas.

Trump beating out Democratic candidate Kamala Harris does not change this reality. The future of sports betting in The Lone Star State remains beholden to interest and collaboration among the House and Senate.

Still, Trump’s second inauguration in 2025 could prompt a development that indirectly influences the Texas sports betting outlook. And it all begins with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.

Here’s Why Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is Inextricably Tied to the Fate of Texas Sports Betting

Before we get into the Donald Trump of it all, let us first explain why Lieutenant Governor Patrick is such a central figure in Texas sports betting debates.

Mr. Patrick carries a ton of influence over the legislative chambers. This is especially true in the Senate. For so long, Republican members of the Texas Senate have often drawn hard-line party stances. This is to say, if you want big-time pieces of legislation to pass, you better hope it’s sponsored by someone from their party. Otherwise, it almost assuredly won’t pass.

This trend holds true for Texas sports betting. Despite multiple attempts to legalize it in the past, a lack of conservative sponsors rendered any initiative hopeless.

However, it seemed like this might change last time around. The most recent Texas sports betting bill was co-sponsored by a Republican. And it was not just any Republican, but someone considered inside or adjacent to Lieutenant Governor Patrick’s inner circle.

As it turns out, none of this matters. Mr. Patrick still claimed there wasn’t enough support inside the Texas Senate to pass a sports betting bill. This support was apparently so scarce, the last proposal never even made it to the floor for an official vote. 

Many have speculated there could, in fact, be enough Senate support to pass a sports betting bill. Those same people tend to believe Mr. Patrick’s influence over his peers is just too strong. Others simply believe he’s delaying the inevitable because he’s a noted opponent of Texas sports betting and casino expansion. 

Whatever Patrick’s  motives or views on sports betting might be, one thing is clear: Legalizing it in Texas will be difficult so long as he retains his current position of power. It is here that we arrive at the significance of Donald Trump’s victory.

Could Donald Trump Add Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick to His Administration?

If Mr. Patrick remains the primary obstacle impeding Texas sports betting legalization, his departure could prompt a wholesale shift. And while his current term is not up until 2026, he may leave much sooner if Trump invites him into his administration. As Legal Sports Report’s Pat Evans writes:

“The possibility of a significant roadblock to Texas sports betting being removed increased Tuesday with the election of President Donald Trump, but the odds of the issue’s legalization in 2025 likely will not budge too much. In his second administration, Trump could elevate Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to a role in his administration, which would remove TX sports betting’s most vocal opponent. Industry sources have said that is the only avenue that could open the door to the issue in 2025.”

This is a big deal on the surface. Whether it is especially likely qualifies as a separate matter.

Trump has already started releasing his presidential appointments. While Patrick’s name continues to be bandied about, he has not received an official invitation. Not publicly, at least.

If Trump does not add Patrick to his cabinet—or if Patrick declines any offer to—it may spell bad news for Texas sports betting both in the short and long terms. Though many point to 2026 as a fork in the road, it might not be. Patrick announced his plans to run for another term over a year ago. If he gets re-elected, it theoretically sets back Texas sports betting chances even further.

Granted, just because he runs for re-election doesn’t mean he will win. Then again, he probably will. Texas skews heavily conservative, and sports betting doesn’t seem to play a role in voter sentiment. In fact, Patrick ran on a decidedly anti-gambling platform during his last campaign

Texas Sports Betting Ultimately Comes Down to More Than One Person

Portraying Patrick as the primary barrier standing between Texas and legal sports betting is somewhat accurate. But these issues are never about one person’s agenda. 

Members of the Senate have the ability to defy his opposition. For Texas sports betting to be legalized, it will require a fundamental change in how a majority of the state’s lawmakers view the industry. 

Shifts in mentality such as this are not impossible. But they do take time. Things could certainly speed up if the Lieutenant Governor was someone on board with sports betting. That is inarguable. But let’s say Patrick ends up inside the Trump administration. There is no guarantee his successor will support the legalization of Texas sports betting. 

All of which is why the future of gambling in The Lone Star State remains shrouded in mystery. There is a clear interest among many policymakers. As of now, though, it does not seem to have the necessary high-level support to legalize it—regardless of whether Patrick is still in office.

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