Two Texas sports betting bills pass House approval 

Sports Betting

Two Texas sports betting bills have been passed through the House State Affairs Committee, but odds that either bill eventually cross the finish line are slimmer than the Houston Texans chances at a Super Bowl championship next season.

The House State Affairs Committee approved bills from Rep. Jeff Leach (R-67), HB 1942 and HJR 102, which seek to legalize Texas online sports betting through a constitutional amendment, and HJR 155 from Rep. Charlie Geren (R-99) and its enabling legislation HB 2843 from Rep. John Kuempel (R-44), which seek to allow “destination resort” casinos in the state and legalize sports betting.

The bills now head to the House Calendars committee. If approved, the legislation will then head to the House for a possible vote.

However, odds are stacked against the legislation’s approval, as each bill seeks a constitutional amendment for legalization, which requires a two-thirds majority in both Texas legislative chambers and approval by state voters in the Nov. 7 general election.

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