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Sands Corp. already is positioning itself to control any casino development in the Dallas area
Don't tell that to the Tribes, who have long worked behind the scenes to build trust with North Texas lawmakers
For now, powerful GOP members, most notably Lt. Gov Dan Patrick, remain dead set against any gambling expansion in the state
Dallas is considered to be among the nation's most untapped gambling markets.
Aside from the few offshore sportsbooks, prediction markets, daily fantasy sports sites and poker clubs, the access options for gambling in the Dallas area are limited. On the sports betting side, Pay Per Head bookies in the Dallas area are thriving as state politicians have zero appetite for regulated sports gambling.
That all could soon change.
The Sands Corp. has been positioning itself for this big day, even taking a majority stake in the NBA Mavericks franchise.
The Real Deal offered this:
Miriam Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corp. has been dumping millions into the effort to legalize gambling with the ultimate goal of building Dallas’ first casino. However, Sands has yet to get a favorable bill onto the state Senate floor, the primary obstacle being Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a fervent opponent of gambling.
Looking at the effort as a showdown between Adelson and Texas’ conservative politicians who morally object to gambling expansion leaves out a primary player in the race: the Native American tribes who’ve been pushing to build Dallas’ first casino for years. A recent Dallas Morning News report explores the paths to a Dallas casino that may not involve Sands.
(pictured: Miriam Adelson)
Patrick is currently running for Senate and will face off against incumbent GOP Senator John Cornyn in the upcoming runoff. Texas does not require most officeholders to resign just for being a candidate. If he loses to Cornyn, he can seek re-election as lieutenant governor. As long as Patrick is still around, the chances of a Dallas casino are slim to none.
But while Patrick remains the biggest obstacle to a casino development in Texas, he's far from alone when it comes to the opposition.
A significant bloc of Texas Republicans are also against casino expansion including David Lowe, Terri Leo-Wilson, Mark Dorazio and Andy Hopper.
Conservative activists like Cheryl Bean stand in the way as well. Multiple GOP candidates have publicly said they oppose gambling expansion or would strictly enforce current bans. Influential conservative groups like the Texas Public Policy Foundation warn gambling expansion could increase crime and addiction, thus reinforcing GOP resistance.
(pictured: Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick)
Should Patrick be elected Senator, his influence would drop in some significant ways. In his current role, Patrick controls the Senate agenda, appoints committees and chairs and can effectively kill or advance any bill.
As a U.S. senator, he would lose that centralized control, though he still acts as a kingmaker in Texas GOP politics.
Assuming all of these GOP lawmakers and influencers are pushed to the side, the in-fighting among pro-gambling parties will remain.
“We’ve been planning and been prepared for this for years,” Choctaw Chief Gary Batton told the outlet about a Dallas casino.
Tribal influence in Texas politics is real but relatively limited, especially compared to states like California or Florida. We've seen what various agendas among the different tribes in California have done to prevent legalization of online poker in that state over the last two decades. The tribes can still block or reshape the market, essentially complicating any legislation that might arise. They can utilize legal avenues to challenge restrictions should Sands Corp elect to flex their muscles.
From The Dallas Morning News:
The Choctaw and Chickasaw, in particular, have been working behind the scenes to build trust with North Texas leaders and city officials. That effort has been occurring on multiple fronts, where the trend is partly driven organically by the region’s proximity to Oklahoma, one of the nation’s largest tribal gaming markets — and home to some of the nation’s most respected gaming operators.
“I’d put our industry’s innovation and efficiency up against anyone,” said Matthew L. Morgan, special envoy for the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. “We do a really great job.”
It wasn't too long ago The Sands Corp. lobbied to have online casino gambling blocked at the federal level with little success.
They aim to secure a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the Texas legislature to initiate a statewide vote on legalizing casino gaming. If the past is prelude, those efforts are destined to end in disappointment.
- Alejandro Boticelli, Gambling911.com
