The effort to introduce resort-style casinos to North Texas is gaining momentum. Las Vegas Sands is gearing up for the 2025 Texas Legislative session with renewed push for casino legalization.
House Bill 2843, which aimed to legalize casino gambling by establishing eight licenses for destination resorts, was rejected before reaching Governor Greg Abbott’s desk.
Recently, officials from North Texas cities such as Irving, Arlington, and Dallas met with leaders from Sands.
Dallas City Councilmember Chad West commented, “The Sands Corporation highlighted how Texas is losing billions to neighboring states with legalized gambling. This is the first time I’ve personally heard from them. They are the world’s largest destination resort conglomerate, and their head of government relations discussed this with many regional leaders.”
Though West does not gamble himself, he acknowledges the potential economic benefits, estimated to be in the millions.
“Personally, I’m neutral on gambling, but from a regional perspective, I support it. Dallas should lead the way, shaping the benefits and addressing potential issues,” he added.
Despite the increasing interest, Patrick Brophey from the North Texas Commission, a lobbying and advocacy group, noted that legalization in the 2025 session remains complex and uncertain.
“Amending the state constitution is always challenging. There are many issues to consider, and all concerns are valid,” Brophey said.
West also expressed concerns about the specifics of introducing a casino in North Texas, such as the number of licenses, zoning, taxation, and measures for addressing gambling addiction.
The North Texas Commission plans to conduct a thorough study, engaging industry leaders, nonprofits, and other stakeholders to understand the impact of gaming.
“The committee will include a diverse group representative of the region. Applications are open until the end of September, and we anticipate the study to last 12 to 18 months,” Brophey explained.
The study aims to provide legislators with detailed information on the economic impact and job creation potential of a casino, helping them make an informed decision.
NBC 5 has reached out to Las Vegas Sands for comment and is awaiting a response.
