Cowboys Owner is Hopeful About Future of Legalized Gambling in Texas – Dallas Weekly

By Logan Landers | on August 04, 2021

Despite seeing a pair of sports betting bills (HB 2070 / SB 736) stalled yet again by the GOP-dominated Texas Legislature, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones still believes in them and the opportunities the bills could offer.

Monday, Jones was speaking with Sports Radio 96.7 FM The Ticket, when he was asked whether he felt sports betting would become a regular occurrence in Texas. He stated that given how gambling has already been in Texas, he believes it can become a common practice. As an example of how it would operate here, he pointed to Cowboys fans betting during a game being telecast by Tony Romo and using sports vernacular.

I picture right there millions of people making a wager by hearing that, he said. Weve got to make sure that the terminology is the kind of terminology that is common, but I can see our game enhanced tremendously by that aspect of it.

The Cowboys, along with the Dallas Mavericks and the Texas Rangers, are a part of the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, which has been advocating for lawmakers to loosen their efforts to keep betting out of Texas. Dallas Cowboys Executive VP and Chief Brand Officer Charlotte Jones stated that with gambling already being such a prominent activity in Texas, legalizing it would be a way to offer restrictions and control.

Unregulated and illegal sports gambling is already taking place in the State of Texas, Jones said. Legalized sports betting would regulate the industry and generate millions of dollars of new revenue for the state which will help fund critical programs without raising taxes.

There appears to be little hope for the advancement of the legislation however, with the bill originally dying in May. In an article by The Texan, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stated that the tax revenue that could be earned is not a real selling point for him. He insisted that the progression of legalized gambling is harmed by competing interests, which is why the bill is likely to never be seen.

Thats why it never goes anywhere, he said, and so its not even an issue thats going to see the light of the day this session.

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Cowboys Owner is Hopeful About Future of Legalized Gambling in Texas - Dallas Weekly