Miriam Adelson more than quadruples 2022 Texas gambling contributions

The Texas legislature meets only in odd-numbered years. During the 2023 session, the house approved a bill that would have allowed for statewide mobile betting controlled by the state’s professional sports teams and other sports entities, with the tax rate set at 10%. A destination resorts bill that included casinos was withdrawn from the house floor without a vote. Besides that, Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said at that time he wouldn’t call for a vote on legal wagering.

He tweeted, “I’ve said repeatedly there is little to no support for expanding gaming from Senate GOP. I polled members this week. Nothing changed. The senate must focus on issues voters expect us to pass. We don’t waste time on bills without overwhelming GOP support. HB1942 won’t be referred.”

Since then, Patrick’s stance has not changed. In addition, Eilers & Krejcik in August took Texas off its list of states projected to legalise in 2025.

But according to the Dallas Morning News 27 November, Miriam Adelson has made $13.7 million (£10.8 million/€13.1 million) in political donations ahead of the 2025 session. That already more than quadruples 2022’s total of $3.3 million. The legislature is set to meet 14 January 2025-2 June 2025. Lawmakers could prefile bills as early as 11 November. So far, state senator Carol Alvarado has filed SJR 16, a destinations resorts bill that would also allow for wagering.

Political consultant: Don’t bet on Texas expansion

Asked what he thought about the odds on an expansion of gambling in 2025, political consultant Bob Garret told Texas Spectrum News 28 November, “In the next legislative session, probably not good. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick continues to say there are not the votes in the republican caucus in the state senate to pass expanded gambling … for now, Mrs. Adelson, I think, is stalled.”

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to expand gambling lies with voters. Legislators need a two-thirds majority in each chamber to pass a constitutional amendment. If that happens, the decision would go to voters in November 2025.

Adelson, the widow of Las Vegas Sands founder Sheldon Adelson, is also the company’s largest shareholder. According to the Dallas Morning News, she made donations to many republicans. Among them, house Speaker Dade Phelan ($1.02 million) and Patrick ($200,000), through two political action committees.

In addition, an April survey showed that 47% of Texans polled support legalising sports betting and 56% support adding destination resorts.

“Texans want to decide and vote on this issue, and we look forward to working with the Legislature to give them that opportunity this session,” Andy Abboud, Las Vegas Sands SVP for government relations, said in a statement to the Morning News.