Last month, Texas legislators were leaning toward combining the dozen or more competing gaming bills into an omnibus bill with something for everybody, even though the bill would not satisfy everyone and passage of any gaming legislation was looking less and less likely this year.

The House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee, which has jurisdiction over gaming in that chamber, moved to include elements of several bills that seek to set up resort-style casinos and racinos, and will allow casinos to reopen on two Native American reservations.

Racetrack owners pitched the idea that slot machines at their operations could raise as much as $1 billion in state taxes. They argue that the racetracks won’t survive long without something to pump up their purses and help them compete against racinos in neighboring states—and to lure back trainers and top horses that have left the state or soon will.

Another bill would ask voters to amend the state constitution to allow 12 destination gaming resorts, racinos and tribal gaming operations. This, supporters say, could generate $4.5 billion each year in state taxes, with almost half going to roads and secondary education.

A cheerleader for this option was billionaire Sheldon Adelson, chairman and CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., who said that such resorts don’t just attract gamblers—they have something for everyone. He said that 86 percent of those who visit Las Vegas do so for something other than gambling.

Adelson said he would be interested in building one of the 12 resort casinos in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“A destination resort is the right way to go… I would applaud whoever thought of this,” he said.

By Casino Connection Staff