Gambling
LOOK: New Bill Proposed To Legalize Gambling In Texas. Is 2025 The Year It FINALLY Happens?
I have been one of the biggest cheerleaders for legalizing gambling in Texas since I moved here over 10 years ago. Yes, a big reason for it is because I enjoy gambling. Whether it’s hitting the tables, cranking the slots, or placing a parlay, I find great enjoyment in it.
Because I’m unable to legally place bets on sporting events, I have a tendency to immerse myself in DraftKings and other daily fantasy platforms. Look, the chances of winning good money there isn’t great, but again, I use it more for entertainment.
I understand all the reasons why people are against. People can’t control themselves, they blow entire paychecks, they become addicted, etc. I’ve heard it all. What about tobacco? Alcohol maybe? All things people can’t control and become addicted to.
“But gambling could ruin someone’s life”. Yeah it could, but that’s up to the person doing the gambling. Learn limits, know how to control spending, etc.
Each year, there are legislators in Texas who lobby hard for legalizing it in the state. They point out all the potential financial windfalls it could bring to the state, and it would do just that.
One lawmaker pointed out all the Texas license plates you see at casinos in Oklahoma and Louisiana. They aren’t wrong. Another says it’s not even about the money the state could realize, it’s more a “freedom and liberty issue”.
Even Governor Greg Abbot has said he sees sports betting as “just a form of entertainment”.
How can we have horse racing tracks where you can legally bet on races there AND across the country, but can’t do it online? How can we play daily fantasy games for money, but not place a bet on the game itself?
It’s all considered gambling, therefore it should be fully legalized at this point. 39 of the 50 states in the union have legalized it, so why haven’t we?
That could all change in 2025. There is even more growing support for it, and now that casino tycoons own the Dallas Mavericks, there’s an even bigger push behind it.
On November 12, State Sen. Carol Alvarado filed a amendment to the state constitution, Senate Joint Resolution 16 that would legalize all types of gambling in Texas.
Now, this has happened on many different occasions, but this time it feels different. More and more lawmakers are warming up to the idea, and if the Governor views it as just “entertainment”, it’s only a matter of time before it finally gets pushed through.
So stay tuned, because 2025 could be the year we can finally hit the casino in our own state.
LOOK: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Who Made it to Hollywood
The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders are an iconic cultural figure in American pop culture. Most of the cheerleaders can put the experience on their resume but only a few have managed to break into Hollywood.
Below are several of the DCC alumni who you may have seen on the big and little screen.
Gallery Credit: Sarah Clark/TSM
List of Some of the Best Public Golf Courses in Texas
If you love to golf here is a list of some of the best public courses in Texas
Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins