What's stopping lawmakers from legalizing sports betting?
Texas Wants to Know · Audacy
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Show Notes
Super Bowl LVII is just over a week away, but Texas residents won't be able to place bets on the game -- at least not legally. Some state lawmakers are working to change that, but they could face political hurdles just to get their bills to a floor vote.
State Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) has filed SJR 17, which would create a Texas Gaming Commission and allow for legalized casino gambling in the state, while a yet-to-be-introduced bill back by the Sports Betting Alliance will focus more specifically on sports betting.
But some experts, like SMU political science professor Cal Jillson, think the bill will face obstacles, particularly in the Texas Senate, while Robert Kohler, a lobbyist and consultant for the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist Convention of Texas said he thinks gambling just isn't high on the list of priorities for Texas voters or lawmakers.