Texas takes first tentative steps towards legalising sports betting

The spread of legalised sports betting around the United States of America has reached the biggest state of them all — Texas.

This week Eddie Lucio III, a Democratic Party member of the Texas House of Representatives, filed a bill that would authorise sports betting in the lone star state.

The move seems like an inevitable one for sports-mad Texas, which has major sporting teams in the MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL.

The proposed bill would include online and mobile betting — as has been the case in the successful implementation across the country in other states.

Getting the bill through to law will prove to be the tricky part.

• Learn more about the gambling laws, history & best bookies for Texans here

Because Texas will need to change its state constitution to allow legalised gambling, citizens will have to vote in a referendum to be held at some stage before November.

What makes matters worse is, that in a state run by Republicans, the bill has been introduced by a Democrat — one in which Republicans will naturally oppose, whether they agree or not.

Further to that, existing Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, has shown no sign of being swayed on his strong anti-sports betting stance in recent years. He has been a vocal opponent to expanding any kind of gambling legislation since coming into office in January of 2015.

Texans may absolutely love their sport, but the road to legalised sports betting may be a tough one to travel.

It’s no surprise there are politicians who see the potential of the move, eyeing off a huge new taxable income. Texas has already been estimated to become the second-largest sports betting market in the entire USA.

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