Bringing Texas Hold’em Back to Texas

Tuesday, 13 March 2007

State rep. Jose Menendez, along with Senators John Corona (R-Dallas) and Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) have introduced a bipartisan bill to regulate gambling in Texas. Church groups are expected to be vocal opponents, and others hoping the bill will fail

State rep. Jose Menendez, along with Senators John Corona (R-Dallas) and Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) have introduced a bipartisan bill to regulate gambling in Texas. Church groups are expected to be vocal opponents, and others hoping the bill will fail include Louisiana, since Texans spend millions of dollars a year gambling in neighbouring states.
Three of the proposed twelve new casinos would be operated by Native Americans and the bill would also permit limited operation of slot machines at the State’s horse and dog tracks. Charity poker tournaments would also be legalised.
“This legislation could raise over a billion dollars over the next biennium for state coffers while bringing the game out of legal limbo and into the light,” said Mike Lavigne, treasurer of the Texas Poker PAC.
If it passes the State Legislature, the amendment would go to state residents. After that communities could vote for or against a casino in their area. People may be persuaded by promises that billions of dollars of expected revenue would be used to provide college education for local people. With a portion of Texas on the Gulf coast, a boost to tourism is also anticipated.



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