Could legalizing Betting generate additional tax revenue in Texas?
By Orlando Sanchez
AUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) — Money matters, and I’ve spent a good portion of my career ensuring that the hard-earned dollars of Texas taxpayers are safeguarded, valued, and used appropriately. From my time as Harris County Treasurer, to Houston City Council Member, I’ve heard from and seen in action just how important it is to ensure public funds are being used wisely – and that we generate additional revenue to support our communities where we can.
During my time in the U.S. Air Force and Texas Air National Guard, I fought for these very taxpayers and our nation’s freedoms.
By legalizing sports betting in the Lone Star State, we could generate additional tax revenue – that doesn’t include taxing Texans more, which could be used to fund a variety of public projects while keeping Texans safe and giving us the chance to choose whether or not we want to legalize sports betting by putting it on the ballot.
States have the right to choose on this matter, as ruled on by the Supreme Court, and nearly 40 states have already legalized it. In the few years since legalization, other states have already generated more than $6 billion in tax revenue. Texas could receive hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenue annually if we legalized and regulated sports betting.
Some Texans already bet through illegal platforms known to scam consumers and lack appropriate privacy measures and safeguards. These bad actors are also generating revenue from Texans placing bets when we could and should be benefiting from it instead.
As it stands, we’re missing out on significant revenue and the opportunity to protect Texans. The Legislature had the chance last session to give Texans the opportunity to vote on it as a ballot measure. Unfortunately, this legislation did not receive Senate approval after passing in the House. But we have the opportunity this session to give voters a voice and tap into an additional revenue stream that could benefit our state and its people.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t touch on the fact that, as Governor Abbott put it, sports betting is a “form of entertainment.” I have a soft spot for our Texas teams, especially the World Champion Houston Astros, for whom my dad served as broadcaster including the Colt .45s. I want to see our Texans sports teams succeed. Many fans want to bet on the teams they love, but right now Texans have to go to another state to bet on them, turn to illegal apps, or not bet at all.
I’ve fought for taxpayers' freedoms, and I’ve ensured their money is managed appropriately. I’ve advanced conservative values for my entire career.
And, importantly, I’ve gone to more Houston Astros games than I can count.
As a freedom fighter, Texas sports supporter, and someone who wants our state to succeed, legalizing sports betting just makes sense. It will generate more revenue for our state, protect Texans, and help keep folks invested and energized about our sports teams.
I hope that when our legislators head to Austin in 2025, they will keep these same goals in mind by putting sports betting on the ballot so Texans can decide on the matter themselves.
Orlando Sanchez, fleeing Communist oppression in Cuba, came to Houston, Texas with his family as a child and graduated from Houston's Bellaire High School. A graduate of the University of Houston, he is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, and the Texas Air National Guard. He served 6 years on Houston’s City Council, and was elected as Harris County (Houston) Treasurer for 12 years.
