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Texas Legislators consider benefits of expanded gambling in state

Posted on July 10th, 2010

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Texas legislators recently listed the economic benefits of offering expanded gambling in the state. The state currently have at least half a dozen Vegas-style casino project proposals, and if all of those were given licenses, the revenues the state will earn will easily compare to Nevada’s $10 billion yearly profits. In this time of great economic crisis, that amount of money can be a tremendous help for any state. Rate of unemployed locals, especially to the Indian reservations have also been listed at above 30%. The jobs that will be created from opening more casino projects will likely help lower the said rating. These facts are according to industry officials during a hearing made on Thursday, pertaining to members of the Native American population currently residing in the state.

On Thursday, the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee met and heard from supporters of expanded gambling proposals in Texas. “With one of three people unemployed, a median household of about $10,000 per year and a reservation with extremely limited access to health care, we look to our state leaders not for a hand-out, but a hand-up” this is according Livingston-based Alabama- Coushatta Tribe of Texas chairman Carlos Bullock. He further explained to a 9 member panel that the the opening of tribal casinos will allow them the opportunity to help themselves. State legislators are considering the benefits of expanded gambling, a projected $18 million is to be earned by the state from casino revenues. Such amount will help the state in its ever growing budget deficit. Currently, the only forms of gambling the state allows is the state lottery and 13 racetracks.

Chairman of the Texas Gaming Association, Bullock and Jack Pratt, pointed out to the panel that every year, Texas loses out huge amounts of money to neighboring states where in expanded gambling such as slot machines and legalized casinos are in place. Executive director of the Texas Greyhound Association, Diane Whiteley says “We’re asking for help from the Legislature so that we can be on equal footing with other states.” Representative Jose Menendez, together with Sen Rodney Ellis are the two lawmakers that introduced the gambling proposal in legislative sessions last year, and both say they will try for another go next year. “This would be tremendously beneficial for the entire state and particularly for big metropolitan areas like San Antonio,” said Menendez.

Contradicting this however is Chief Revenue estimator John Heleman of the State Comptroller’s office. He said that even if lawmakers were to approve expanded gambling, a long period of time will still be needed before the state start generating that much casino revenues. This is for a number of reasons: One, A state wide vote will still be needed. Two, racetracks on the state may not have enough space to accommodate slots machines as well, and three, because a lot of legislators and Governor Rick Perry is against expanded gambling.

“I’m pretty much a conservative guy and I just think that gambling is a poor way to finance a government, … I didn’t hear anything that convinced me” said panel member Representative Warren Chisun. Senator Kel Seliger is also wondering why a forum such that was conferred was done when many lawmakers are known to oppose expanded gambling. A 100 House vote and 21 Senate vote is required to form a constitutional amendment for gambling legislation. Opponents of the cause are vowing to fight any bill in this nature that will be filed next year. Rob Kohler, consultant of Christian Life Commision disagrees saying that casino revenues is not a “good, long-term economic policy for the state.” The commission is also affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Ed Kuempel, Chairman of House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee says it will be a lengthy process before anything will be decided on matters involving any gambling bill. However, in the coming years, the state may be encountering more serious financial problems and more creative sources of income must be taken into thought already. Expanded may have it chance after all. What I read shows that 2013 won’t be a heck of a lot better than 2011,” Kuempel said. “(Thus) it might be a good idea to get started.”