Las Vegas Sands, the casino and hospitality corporation of American businessman and political donor Sheldon Adelson, is pushing for casino legalization in Texas ahead of the forthcoming legislative session in the Lone Star State. The campaign is part of the corporation’s efforts for global casino expansion in countries like Japan, the US, and Brazil.
The company unveiled its ambitions this week via its most prominent lobbyist, Andy Abboud. Mr. Abboud said at a forum held by the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association the company considers Texas a market with very high potential. He also addressed recent speculations that the corporation was eyeing the Lone Star State.
Mr. Abboud suggested a limited number of casino resort locations in the state, particularly in major cities or in their proximity. The resorts should primarily aim to blend well with the cities’ current infrastructure rather than attempt to mimic the atmosphere of gambling hubs like Las Vegas.
The lobbyist stressed that the introduction of adequate casino regulations is an absolute must. He urged the members of the state legislature to require participants in the bidding process to provide initial investments of $1 to $3 million. This will ensure only the best companies participate in the casino bidding.
Gambling Can Generate Tax Revenue and Create Jobs, Lobbyist Says
Casino resorts, Mr. Abboud proceeded, carry massive potential when it comes to generating tax revenue and creating jobs. However, the lobbyist tried to hold high expectations in check where the financial impact of the casino industry was concerned.
While regulated gambling would generate additional revenue for the Lone Star State, it would not be able to solve all of its economic issues, Mr. Abboud insisted. What it can do is help with the diversification of the local economy and partially offset the volatility of the local gas and oil industries.
Las Vegas Sands’ Texas ambitions were revealed in the wake of reports that Sheldon Adelson and his spouse Miriam were among the most generous donors of the Republicans and helped the party preserve its superiority in the Texas House of Representatives. In September 2020, Mr. Adelson and his wife donated $4.5 million to the Republican State Leadership Committee.
Speculations about Las Vegas Sands’ intentions increased over the past weeks after the corporation recruited several lobbyists with strong connections to the Capitol. Some of the most prominent names on the lobbying roster include Karen Rove, the spouse of Republican political advisor Karl Rove, and Mike Toomey, who formerly worked for governors James Richard Perry and William Clements Junior.
Previous Attempts at Casino Legalization Hit a Snag in Texas
During the previous legislative session, House Representative Joseph Deshotel of the Beaumont District submitted a bill that would have allowed Texans to vote for regulated casino gaming in some areas along the state’s coast. Rep. Deshotel’s idea was to use the extra tax revenue to boost the funds for aiding people who reside in hurricane-prone areas of the state.
The proposal got nowhere but this did not prevent Rep. Deshotel from filing almost the same bill for the forthcoming legislative session. While the politician expressed his pleasure at a major gambling operator like the Sands Corporation being interested in the state, not everyone shares his excitement.
His previous bill faced opposition from several anti-gambling groups, including the Christian Life Commission of the Texas Baptists and the Austin-based Texas Values. Both groups spoke against the idea of a further gambling expansion in individual statements this week.
The Lone Star State has some of the most restrictive gambling laws in the entire country. The only permitted forms of betting include bingo, state-run lotteries, and horse and greyhound racing. Casino gaming can be offered only on the territory of the three formally recognized native tribes in the state.
