Northern Texas Commission Seeks To Legalize Casino Gambling
The North Texas Commission (NTC) is forming a commission to study the potential impact of legalization of destination resorts and casino gambling in Texas. The plan comes as the state nears legalization, with significant discussions expected in the 2025 legislative session.
NTC Chief Operating Officer Patrick Brophy announced that the exploratory committee will include a diverse group of corporate and community leaders. The committee aims to analyze various aspects, such as economic development, workforce demand, infrastructure, transportation, and the public safety impact of bringing destination games to the region. Members from a wide range of backgrounds, including elected officials, tourism leaders, economic development officials, the Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from religious and religious-based organizations, are invited to participate, and plans to start the committee in the fall.
"This is open to the North Texas Commissioners that we traditionally embrace, but beyond that, we get the full range of our community, including social services, public safety, nonprofits, arts and entertainment, mental health professionals, and business and industry leaders," Brophy explained, according to the Dallas Business Journal. "We want parity across the region."
The plan follows a roundtable discussion hosted by the NTC and the Texas Business Association, which included a presentation from a Las Vegas Sands Corp executive. The benefits of destination games in Texas, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, were highlighted during the discussion.
Constitutional amendment needed
The Las Vegas Sands Company, through its majority shareholder, billionaire Miriam Adelson, has been a major advocate for legalizing casino gambling in Texas. Despite significant lobbying efforts and fiscal spending in recent years, previous legislative attempts have failed. However, Sands continues to push for constitutional amendments to allow Texas voters to decide on the issue.
The proposed constitutional amendment must be approved by two-thirds in both houses of the Texas Legislature and supported by a majority of the state's voters. If passed, the state will issue a limited number of operating licenses through a competitive bidding process, which supporters argue will maximize the destination resort's economic impact.
The developments have raised concerns about potential increases in crime rates and other social issues related to casinos. However, advocates like Las Vegas Sands argue that destination resorts do not necessarily increase crime and can lead to significant economic benefits, including increased tax revenues and job creation.
An economic impact study conducted for Sands estimated that gaming could add $13 billion to the Texas economy and create 70,000 permanent jobs. For the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the study projected a $34.7 million increase in potential tax revenue from continued operations.
As the debate continues, local leaders like Irving Mayor Rick Stopper acknowledge the inevitability of legalization and stress the importance of being prepared. "We can talk about where it goes and what it's going to do and what it's going to be, but the reality of it is ... That's what's going to happen," Stopper said. "So where we're going to be sitting as a metroplex compared to other states, are we going to be ready for that?"
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