Getting ahead of gaming expansion in Texas could be a very good reason why the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas recently announced they were planning on building a resort casino on their tribal land in Polk County.
Let’s take a look into the pivotal aspects driving this expansion and explore how it reshapes the landscape for top-rated sportsbooks.
Three’s a Charm
There are only two casinos with Class II gaming licenses in Texas but according to the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, they will be operating the third casino in the very near future. The tribe has announced plans to put their second gaming facility on their land in Polk County while currently operating Naskila Gaming in Livingston, Texas.
“We are incredibly excited to embark on this new chapter,” said Ricky Sylestine, Tribal Council Chairman. “This new casino resort will not only provide significant economic benefits for those living and working in the region, but it will also become a vibrant destination for visitors.”
The Coushatta Tribe has contracted with FFKR Architects and the facility will feature a hotel, gaming rooms housing table games, poker games and slot machines. A variety of dining options will be available and there will also be spa facilities.
Former Governor Wants Gambling in Texas
For a state whose legacy is tied to cowboys and gambling, Texas politicians have a long history of keeping its gaming industry held very much in check. There are no commercial casinos in the state and only two tribal casinos with slot-style machines.
Parimutuel wagering is allowed on horse and dog racing but betting on sports, retail or mobile has not yet come to pass in what would be one of the largest markets in the nation. Even the tribal nations had to take their case to the U.S. Supreme Court to get their federal recognition restored and thus recognized as sovereign nations in the Lone Star State.
Former Governor Rick Perry has become a vocal proponent of legalized and licensed mobile sports betting. In a video posted to X before the Super Bowl, Perry stated, “Texas is built on the core principle of individual freedom and we pride ourselves on being an economic powerhouse in the nation. Legalizing mobile sports betting in Texas will finally allow the state to protect consumers from illegal offshore betting sites while keeping the money generated in Texas to benefit Texans.”
However, it should be known that Perry is now a lobbyist for the Sports Betting Alliance and has a vested interest in getting unlicensed markets like Texas to hop on board the money train. Speaking of which, Perry stated Texas could collect $556 million per year in sports betting taxes once its market matures.
“Given that Texans are already participating in mobile sports betting, legalization would be a home run for all involved,” Perry said.
Perry has repeatedly pointed out that the revenue that should be going back into the Texas economy is either going to offshore sportsbooks or neighboring states that allow sports betting like Louisiana, Arkansas and New Mexico. Nevertheless, efforts to get mobile sports betting passed have repeatedly failed in Texas but some believe it will arrive sooner than later.
