Two significant gambling proposals were filed in the Texas House on February 12, marking an unprecedented push for gaming expansion in the state. Representative Sam Harless introduced House Joint Resolution 134 (HJR 134) a sports betting measure, while Rep Charlie Geren filed HJR 137 a separate constitutional amendment that aims to authorize both casino gaming and sports wagering across Texas.
The dual filing is the biggest push for gaming expansion in Texas history. HJR 137 limits casinos to 10 licenses with 40-year terms and 15% tax for both industries. Both would require voter approval in November 2025 if passed.
The proposals come as support grows from key leaders, including Governor Greg Abbott who recently said he “doesn’t have a problem with online sports betting”. Recent polling from the University of Houston shows 60% of Texans support regulating online sports betting.
Governor Greg Abbott says he backs legalized sports betting in Texas pic.twitter.com/7EWI5eHNDn
— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) February 6, 2025
If passed, the bills need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to reach the voters. But the bills face scrutiny in the Senate where Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has consistently opposed gaming expansion and says there isn’t enough Republican support.
Even if the bills passed and the referendum was favorable for either one, Texans would have to wait at least until June 2026 to place a bet with local operators. Rollouts in other states have taken at least 6 months after legislation has been passed.
Comparing HJR 134 and HJR 137
HJR 134 is focused on sports betting through professional sports teams, certain golf tournament hosts and Class 1 racetracks. HJR 137 proposes a broader expansion by mentioning both sports betting and casino gaming and puts regulations on both under one umbrella.
Key similarities between the two bills include:
- Both require state-issued licenses for operators.
- Both propose a tax on revenue generated from sports wagering.
- Both would require approval from Texas voters in November 2025 before taking effect.
Major differences include:
- HJR 134 allows sports betting through sports franchises, racetracks, and golf tournament hosts, while HJR 137 creates a limited number of full-scale casino gaming licenses (capped at 10 locations statewide).
- HJR 137 includes provisions for tribal gaming compacts, requiring negotiations with federally recognized Texas tribes for casino-style gaming.
- HJR 137 sets a 15% tax cap on both casino gaming and sports wagering revenue, whereas HJR 134 does not specify tax allocations at this stage.
Notably, HJR 134 does not specify how tax revenue generated from sports betting would be allocated. Previous proposals had earmarked significant portions of such revenue for property tax relief, but HJR 134 leaves distribution decisions to future legislative actions.
BREAKING: Separate bills to legalize sports betting (HJR 134) and casino gambling + sports betting (HJR 137) have been filed in the Texas Legislature. HJR 137 would cap casino licenses at 10, and tax casinos and sports betting at 15%. Both measures would go on Nov. 2025 ballot. pic.twitter.com/XoqkThVgrZ
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) February 13, 2025
Historical Context of Sports Betting Legislation in Texas
Texas has had strict gambling laws for a long time. In the early 20th century, the state banned most forms of gambling including sports betting.
Efforts to expand sports betting in Texas have hit roadblocks. In 2023 a bill to regulate online sports betting passed the Texas House but didn’t make it out of the Senate. Opposition from key republican leaders including Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has been a big obstacle to such bills.
Industry estimates suggest Texans currently wager approximately $6 billion annually through external channels.
Sports Betting Across the United States
As of February 2025, 38 states and DC have regulated some form of sports betting. 30 states have done online sports betting specifically. Missouri has already passed legislation and will launch sports betting by December 2025 with 21 digital licenses.
According to recent industry news, other states actively considering legislation in 2025 include:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- South Carolina
The introduction of HJR 134 and HJR 137 is a big step in the sports betting debate in Texas. As the session goes on stakeholders on both sides will be watching closely and mobilizing for their positions.
While the state debate rages on, Texans do have access to the best offshore sportsbooks that operate legally outside of U.S. jurisdiction. Vetted by Rate Sportsbooks, these platforms are a safe and reputable option for Texans to bet while waiting for state expansion.
