Las Vegas-based casino giant Sands Corporation is doubling down on its mission to bring legalized casino gambling to the Lone Star State. Following a legislative setback in 2023, the company has shifted gears, adopting a grassroots strategy to build support from the ground up. In collaboration with the Texas Association of Business, Sands is orchestrating a series of community forums aimed at drumming up local backing before the next legislative session convenes in January 2025.
Building Bridges: Sands’ Multi-Pronged Strategy for Texas
A recent gathering in Tarrant County brought together nearly 50 officials and business leaders from major North Texas cities, including Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. This forum represents just one facet of Sands’ comprehensive approach to gaining a foothold in the region. The corporation has made significant moves, including the acquisition of the Dallas Mavericks and a substantial land purchase near the former Texas Stadium site, signaling its long-term commitment to the area.
Sands isn’t putting all its chips on one strategy, however. The company is leveraging a mix of community outreach, political donations, and robust lobbying efforts. While a bill supported by Sands failed to pass the Senate in 2023, the corporation remains optimistic. Glenn Hamer, who heads the Texas Association of Business, notes a growing appetite for casino gambling across the state.
Economic Promises and Political Hurdles: The Road to Legalization
Sands is painting a rosy picture of the potential economic windfall from casino legalization. According to Andy Abboud, the company’s Senior VP for Government Relations, the introduction of high-end casinos could inject $13 billion into the state’s economy, create 70,000 permanent jobs, and generate work for 185,000 construction workers.
However, the path to legalization is far from smooth. Opposition comes from multiple fronts, including religious groups, health advocates worried about gambling addiction, and the Texas Republican Party, which has explicitly rejected gambling expansion in its latest platform.
Chris Wallace, who leads the North Texas Commission, suggests that success may require a marathon rather than a sprint, potentially stretching the fight into 2027 or even 2029. Undeterred, Sands is planning additional forums across Texas, including in Odessa and Taylor, with a virtual event for East Texas in the works.
A High-Stakes Game: Sands’ Long-Term Vision for Texas
Sands Corporation’s renewed push for casino legalization in Texas underscores its unwavering commitment to bringing Las Vegas-style resorts to the state. By engaging local communities, expanding its regional presence, and highlighting potential economic benefits, the company is methodically laying the groundwork for another legislative attempt.
While significant obstacles remain, Sands’ patient, multi-faceted approach could eventually tilt the odds in its favor. As this high-stakes game unfolds, all eyes will be on Texas to see if it’s ready to roll the dice on a new era of gambling.
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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