AUSTIN, Texas — Lawmakers in the Texas House have filed a bill that could allow Texans to decide whether to legalize sports betting in the state.
On Wednesday, State Rep. Sam Harless (R-Spring) filed House Joint Resolution 134, which if approved would put a constitutional amendment regarding sports betting on the November ballot.
A similar proposal has also been filed in the Texas Senate, but could face significant headwinds as gambling-related bills tend to draw pushback from lawmakers in that chamber, including from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who typically doesn’t bring gambling-oriented bills to the floor.
The governor’s comments came as a coalition is ramping up efforts to urge Texas lawmakers to pass legislation that would legalize sports gambling in the state.
During the previous legislative session, the Texas House passed a bill that would have allowed an amendment to the Texas Constitution to allow regulated gambling. The bill ultimately failed in the Texas Senate.