1. Why Won't Texas Legalize Gambling Winnings
2. Why Won't Texas Legalize Gambling Laws

OUR VIEW: No casinos in Texas. Our state government might face a budget shortfall, but it is not desperate. The Legislature should again beat back any efforts to legalize casino gambling.

State By State Legal US Gambling Guide For 2020. We've compiled this legal online betting guide for US players arranged by state, to provide accurate and up to date information on the legal online gambling status and gaming options available within each US state. Estimated Gambling Revenue – $4.6 billion. Texas Gambling Age – 18 for lottery and bingo games, 21 for racing, and Kickapoo Casino. Smoking Ban – Texas does not have a statewide smoking ban. Online Gambling Status – Horse racing is the only form of legal online gambling. Types of Online Texas Gambling Allowed. Gambling boats have operated at times out of Texas ports, taking passengers on one-day 'cruises to nowhere' in international waters, where there are no gambling laws. The casino cruise industry developed in other states in the early 1980s, but was a latecomer to Texas because of a state law prohibiting the docking of ships with gambling. In Texas, adding any sort of gambling would likely require a constitutional amendment. And when legislators talk about legalizing gambling, there are enough options to fill up a roulette wheel.

A lawmaker wants to legalize casino gambling in certain South Texas counties and use the profits to help with hurricane relief.

The bill, filled in December by State Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Beaumont, would issue casino licenses in Galveston, Jefferson, Nueces, Bexar and Harris counties.

The bill would instate a casino gaming tax equal to 18 percent of a casino's gross gaming revenue. Half of the revenue from the tax will be allocated to a catastrophe reserve trust fund.

This money would be used for residual windstorm insurance coverage and catastrophic flooding assistance in the coastal areas.

According to the Houston Chronical, even if the bill passes in the Texas Legislature and is signed into law by Gov. Abbott, Texans will vote on whether casino gambling will be allowed as it is currently barred by the Texas Constitution.

Why Won't Texas Legalize Gambling Winnings

State Rep. Deshotel filed a resolution to amend the Texas Constitution allowing the bill to take effect in November 2019 if passed.

Why Won't Texas Legalize Gambling Laws

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