Las Vegas Sands, now at the helm of the Dallas Mavericks, is amplifying its campaign to legalize casino operations in Texas. The corporation has initiated a funding drive through the Texas Destination Resort Alliance, aiming to bring the legalization issue directly to voters within the state.
The initiative marks a significant push towards integrating casino resorts with major entertainment and sports venues in Texas. This vision aligns with the aspirations of former Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, who, despite selling the majority stake to Sands, remains influential in the team’s basketball operations. Cuban has been a vocal supporter of the idea, envisioning a new arena for the Mavericks that includes a casino resort.
The Texas Destination Resort Alliance, representing a broad spectrum of Texans, is advocating for a state constitutional amendment. This amendment would pave the way for the establishment of destination resorts in Texas’ major cities. “We aim to grant Texans the power to decide on creating destination resorts in our state through a constitutional amendment,” the alliance stated on its platform.
Challenging the Status Quo in Gaming Legislation
Attempts to widen the scope of gaming in Texas have faced resistance within the state legislature for several years. In response, Sands established a political action committee in 2022, seeking to shift the perception of gaming among Texans and lawmakers alike.
One of the significant hurdles has been gaining the support of enough Republican legislators. Moreover, expanding gaming operations in Texas would necessitate a state-wide vote to amend the constitution, making the petition an essential step towards bypassing legislative roadblocks.
The campaign also receives backing from notable entities such as the Chickasaw Nation, which owns Winstar Casino in Oklahoma and Lone Star Park in Dallas. Additionally, efforts to legalize sports betting are gaining traction, with endorsements from figures like former governor Rick Perry of the Texas Sports Betting Alliance and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Jones highlighted the initiative’s goal to “enable Texans to choose whether they want this activity to be regulated safely or to persist in the shadows, managed by betting platforms based outside of Texas.”
In a related development, Dallas city officials are exploring zoning adjustments to accommodate poker clubs, further indicating a growing interest in expanding gambling options within the city. This series of events marks a pivotal moment in Texas’ gambling legislation, potentially transforming the state into a new frontier for casino and sports betting enthusiasts.
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