The bustling efforts to legalize gaming in Texas are gaining traction as Las Vegas Sands (LVS) makes calculated moves by engaging with North Texas leaders. This casino and hospitality behemoth is shaking the dice, aiming to garner enough backing to finally bring resort-style casinos to the Lone Star State.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Experts forecast the potential creation of a staggering 70,000 new permanent jobs, with an additional wave of construction jobs more than doubling that number. Despite these rosy predictions, some lawmakers remain hesitant to cast their chips in favor of casino resorts.
Texas: The Untapped Gold Mine
Texas, a state known for its conservative stance on gambling, has remained a tough nut to crack. Previous attempts to legalize various gaming ventures have crumbled faster than a house of cards, resulting in little change.
Yet, Las Vegas Sands is doubling down on Texas. As reported by local news, LVS lobbyists recently met with leaders from North Texas, brought together by the North Texas Commission and the Texas Association of Business, to deliberate the matter. The meeting aimed to scrutinize the prospective impact of casino gaming on Texas’s economic landscape.
A new exploratory committee is on the horizon, tasked with gauging the implications of casinos on North Texas. Slated for formation this autumn, this committee will delve deep into gaming’s vast potential and its ripple effects on social services, public safety, charitable organizations, the entertainment sector, business, and the North Texan communities. Patrick Brophey, the COO of the North Texas Commission, elaborated to a business journal representative, “Our goal is to truly grasp how gaming will shape our society, from safety to philanthropy and beyond.”
Chad West, a figure from the Dallas City Council, added an insightful note, suggesting that Texas still has a considerable learning curve when it comes to the art of destination gambling.
LVS and the Texas Casino Quest: A Long-Term Gamble
Las Vegas Sands is no stranger to the arduous journey of trying to legalize casino gaming in Texas. The company has been on this marathon for quite some time, investing millions in hopes of unleashing the latent potential of the second most populated state in the U.S.
LVS has already acquired a valuable 108-acre plot adjacent to where the old Dallas Cowboys stadium once stood. This prime real estate is their ace in the hole, ready and waiting for the green light to develop into grand casino resorts.
According to LVS lobbyist Andy Abboud, the company envisions at least five resorts cropping up in Texas, with two strategically placed in the bustling Dallas-Fort Worth area. Abboud underlined the strategic focus, saying they’d zero in on key areas rather than splashing the pots on every corner.
In 2023, a report indicated that LVS has amassed a formidable cadre of around 72 lobbyists in Texas, dwarfing the lobbying efforts of others in the state. The company has already funneled about $100 million into these lobbying efforts, signifying their undeterred resolve and high stakes in this high-reward gamble.
Texas might just be the next big player in the gaming industry, as long as LVS continues to roll the dice strategically and lawmakers decide to place their bets wisely.
Stay tuned as the cards unfold in this thrilling saga of Texas gambling legalization.
