Texas Gambling Gets a New Hand as Lawmakers Push for 2027 Vote

^{Republican Rep. Charlie Geren of Fort Worth, left, and Democratic Sen. Carol Alvarado of Houston are the faces of the push to legalize casinos and sports betting in Texas, and casino interests are expected to court lawmakers like them with campaign donations. (Photos: Bob Daemmrich / Alamy; Eric Gay / AP)}

Will Texas lawmakers finally get regulated casino gambling and sports betting across the finish line?

Texas lawmakers are wasting little time renewing their push to legalize casinos and sports betting following a major shift in the state's political landscape. Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) and Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) filed separate constitutional amendment proposals on Nov. 9, the first day of prefiling for the 2027 legislative session.

Geren's House Joint Resolution 52 (HJR 52) and Alvarado's Senate Joint Resolution 11 (SJR 11) would allow Texas voters to decide whether lawmakers should have the authority to legalize and regulate casino gaming and sports betting. Both resolutions propose a statewide referendum on Nov. 2, 2027.

While the proposals share many provisions, Alvarado's resolution would also establish a gaming commission with broader regulatory and enforcement powers. The filings come after November's elections removed several political obstacles that have complicated previous attempts to expand gambling in Texas.

What Would the Texas Gambling Proposals Allow?

Both resolutions would amend the Texas Constitution to permit lawmakers to authorize commercial casino gaming and sports wagering through subsequent legislation.

The proposals share several major provisions:

• A maximum of 10 licensed casino facilities statewide.
• Casino licenses with terms of at least 40 years.
• A tax of no more than 15% on casino gaming and sports wagering revenue.
• Operator licensing requirements and application fees, with amounts to be established later.
• Casino gaming restricted to licensed physical locations.
• A process for negotiating Class III gaming compacts with Texas' three federally recognized tribes.

If passed, neither resolution would immediately establish a legal gambling market. The voter referendum would need to pass, and subsequent legislation would be needed to establish where casinos could operate, what activities would qualify as casino gaming and sports wagering, and how operators would obtain licenses.

The proposals also leave an important question about online sports betting unanswered. While both resolutions would restrict casino gaming to physical locations, neither specifically addresses mobile sports betting. HJR 52 would leave decisions about where sports wagering could occur to subsequent legislation, while SJR 11 would assign that authority to the proposed gaming commission.

Key Differences Between HJR 52 and SJR 11

The most significant difference between the proposals involves how Texas regulates expanded gambling. Geren's HJR 52 requires lawmakers to establish a regulatory framework, including licensing requirements, permitted locations, and gaming taxes. It does not require creating a new gaming commission.

Alvarado's SJR 11 goes further by requiring a state gaming commission funded through lottery proceeds, gaming taxes, and operator licensing fees. The commission would administer licensing, determine where casino gaming and sports wagering could take place, and exercise investigative, enforcement, and auditing authority.

SJR 11 would also give the proposed commission authority to determine whether a lottery or gift enterprise is authorized under Texas law and enforce prohibitions against unauthorized operations. That provision could potentially impact sweepstakes casinos, which operate “promotional gaming models.”

Otherwise, both resolutions establish similar limits on casino locations, taxation, and tribal gaming agreements.

What Happens Next for Texas Casino Legalization?

The Texas Legislature is scheduled to convene Jan. 12, 2027. For either resolution to reach voters, both chambers must approve it by a two-thirds vote. That requires at least 100 votes in the 150-member House and 21 votes in the 31-member Senate, requiring support across party lines.

Geren previously introduced a similar proposal, HJR 137, during the 2025 legislative session. That resolution did not advance beyond committee referral. If lawmakers approve a constitutional amendment in 2027, Texas voters would have the opportunity to decide the issue during the Nov. 2 election.

For now, HJR 52 and SJR 11 mark another attempt to bring commercial casino gaming and sports betting before Texas voters, this time under a substantially different political landscape.