The resolution comes as Irving considers a casino and resort project proposed by the owners of the Dallas Mavericks.
DALLAS — Should Texas legalize casino gambling? A state senator from Dallas has filed a resolution to put the question to voters.
State Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, filed the resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 82, last week, which, if passed in November, would allow the state legislature to authorize and regulate casino gambling and sports betting.
“Where there is a disconnect between what the Legislature will do and what the voters want, the issue may best be decided directly by voters. I filed SJR 82 to give the voters the right to decide this one. I sincerely hope my colleagues in the Senate feel the same way,” said Johnson in a press release. “Polls consistently show that more than 80% of Texans want the right to vote to decide this issue. It makes sense for the Legislature to let that happen.”
“I’m not promoting casino gaming with this resolution. I’m promoting the option to have it, along with my belief that – when the Legislature will not act on the issue – Texans should be able decide whether a constitutional prohibition enacted 150 years ago is relevant today,” Johnson added.
He argued Texas is missing out on revenue that Texans currently spend at casinos and resorts in nearby Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and Nevada by not allowing casino gambling.
“The state of Texas receives no benefit from this economic activity, nor do we effectively regulate it to protect consumers. I’m putting to the voters whether we should change that,” Johnson added.
The law also calls for regulating casino gambling, sports betting, the embattled Texas Lottery and bingo via an agency funded by fees and taxes on the industry, requiring licenses, application fees, and a gaming revenue tax on operators of casino gaming and sports betting, among other things.
Johnson says doing away with the state ban on casino gaming would help fund other issues like property tax reductions, teacher pay raises, infrastructure and more.
The resolution was filed as Irving considers a proposed casino and resort development near the former site of the Texas Stadium by the owners of the Dallas Mavericks. Irving’s Zoning Commission approved a zoning change that set the stage for the development earlier this week and the city council is set to consider the issue Thursday night.
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