As the U.S. legislative season gains traction, some states are making progress on gambling expansion, while others have folded on bills faster than a bad hand, writes Lauren Harrison in Casino Cabbie’s latest “Letter From America”.
But the real flush?
Amid a political rift in the governor’s office, Texas has joined the fray with not just one, but two new gambling bills seeking validation.
So, without further ado, let’s get stuck into the action:
Texas Shoot-out
Things are heating up in the Lone Star State–the USA’s second-largest by population and territory–as two new gambling bills have hit the legislative floor.
The first House Joint Resolution (HJR) 134 aims to legalise sports betting, while the second, HJR 137, is a more ambitious and, therefore, contentious option, pushing for both legal sports betting and casinos.
If either bill passes, Texans will have their say in November, with the measures appearing on the ballot.
HJR 134 would allow the state’s sports teams and organisations to operate sports betting, though it notably lacks details on taxation.
In contrast, HJR 137 lays its cards on the table, proposing 10 casino establishments, a 15 percent tax rate and provisions for negotiating Class III Tribal Compacts with the state’s federally-recognised tribes.
Both bills still face major opposition.
There is significant religious and public opposition from conservative groups, as well as political hurdles.
Yet, there are signs that things may be changing. A study by the University of Houston has shown that public support for casino resorts is growing, with as many as 70 percent of Texan adults supporting them and 60 percent behind legalised sports betting.
Still, the state’s Lieutenant Governor, Republican Dan Patrick, who controls the Senate, has historically maintained a staunch anti-gambling stance.
But, in a surprising plot twist, Texas’ Republican Governor, Greg Abbott, recently said he has no issue with legal sports betting, suggesting the Lone Star State might be readying to join the fray.
Indiana and Minnesota No-Nos
All bets are off in Indiana as lawmakers have struck down House Bill 1432, which would have legalised online casinos in the “Hoosier State”.
Despite passing the first hurdle, the House Public Policy Committee, the bill failed to be heard by the Ways and Means Committee, meaning it’s dead for this legislative session.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Senate Bill 757, which sought to legalise sports betting, has been put on ice after failing to pass the State Senate and Local Government Committee by a 6:6 vote.
Mississippi Sweeping Clean
Mississippi is stepping out this legislative session as a state ready to take serious action against sweepstake casinos.
Senate Bill 2510–a bi-partisan motion that proposes making sweepstake sites illegal and punishable by fines of up to US$100,000 (some £79,000) and 10-years in prison–sailed through the Senate, passing 51:0 after revisions.
The bill has now been transmitted to the House. If it passes that stage, it will go to the Governor’s office, currently held by Republican Tate Reeves, for the final sign-off before being codified into law.
Michigan Offshore Crackdown
Pathfinders and leaders in the fight against illegal gambling, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), is once again setting the pace in the battle against illegal casinos.
Last week, the MGCB issued nine cease-and-desist orders. Sites added to the state’s blacklist include: BetAnySports, CoolCat Casino, Diamond Sportsbook International, BetDSI, Solar Game, My Dreams Casino, NonStop Casino, Palace of Chance, Xbet Casino and WagerWeb.
The MGCB gave the operators 14-days to cease trading or face legal action.
“These unlicensed operators are not only in violation of Michigan’s laws but also pose significant risks to consumers by offering limited and often unreliable withdrawal options,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.
Casino Cannibalisation Still Cookin’
A new advocacy group–the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG), formed in February 2025 and including the executives from The Cordish Companies, Monarch Casino & Resort, and Churchill Downs Incorporated–has released a report arguing that casino cannibalisation is not just a fable, but alive and kicking.
The report, conducted by The Innovation Group, a top consulting firm for the gaming and leisure industry, argues that iGaming leads to a 16.5 percent “underperformance” in land-based revenue and causes widespread direct and indirect economic issues, including job losses and economic downturns.
The study compares land-based sector growth in iGaming and non-gaming states and reveals stark differences. It states that canalisation does occur, with “22 percent of iGaming revenue coming from the land-based industry”.
Critics have said the report offers an incomplete picture, as its projections do not account for varying factors, like casino expansion in some states and job losses due to COVID in others.
While this holds, the report certainly makes for compelling reading.
Watch this space!
