Texas Files Gaming Amendment Bill Ahead of 2027 Legislative Session

Texas is poised to join a growing wave of states reconsidering gaming legalization, as state Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) filed House Joint Resolution 52 on November 10, 2026, ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The proposed constitutional amendment would ask Texas voters to authorize the Legislature to legalize and regulate both casino gaming and sports wagering.

The timing of this filing reflects a significant shift in the state's political landscape. Just days before the resolution was submitted, Democrats won the governor's and lieutenant governor's offices and flipped control of the state House, weakening long-standing opposition to gaming expansion. This electoral realignment removes a critical procedural obstacle: outgoing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) had repeatedly vowed to kill any gambling legalization proposals, famously stating in 2023 that such measures would not "see the light of day." His successor, Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin (D), expressed openness to the issue, telling Casino.org that while she is not a personal gambler, Texans should have the opportunity to decide the matter themselves.

Under the terms proposed by Geren's resolution, the amendment would establish a framework allowing up to 10 casinos statewide, impose a 15% cap on state taxes applied to gross gaming revenue, and require negotiation of Class III tribal gaming compacts with Texas' three federally recognized tribes. The resolution notably does not specify whether sports betting would be restricted to casino locations or whether online wagering would be permitted, leaving those details for future legislative action.

The path to a voter referendum in Texas involves specific procedural requirements. Unlike 24 states that permit citizen-initiated ballot measures, Texas restricts constitutional amendments to legislative referrals. The resolution must secure a two-thirds supermajority in both the House and the Senate to advance to a voter ballot. While the measure does not require gubernatorial signature, the incoming divided legislature presents a strategic puzzle: Democrats will control the House while Republicans maintain the Senate, necessitating cross-party cooperation to meet the two-thirds threshold.

Geren proposes that voters be presented with the following ballot language on November 2, 2027: "The constitutional amendment to permit the Legislature, by general law, to authorize and regulate casino gaming and sports wagering at a limited number of locations in this state, require licenses and license application fees for operators, and impose a tax on casino gaming and sports wagering revenue."

From a regional perspective, Texas' potential entry into the commercial gaming market would represent a significant competitive and economic development milestone. The state's population and geographic scope position it as a substantial opportunity within the broader North American gaming landscape. However, the legislative path remains uncertain. While the new Democratic House majority and sympathetic lieutenant governor remove previous vetoes, assembling a two-thirds Senate supermajority among a Republican-controlled chamber will require substantial persuasion and likely necessitate addressing concerns from conservative colleagues skeptical of expanded gaming.