“It’s about the state potentially reaping in an enormous amount of revenue off of these folks that decide that they want to go bet.”
Austin, TX (November 26, 2024) — In an interview with talk show host Chad Hasty, John Scott, former Texas Secretary of State on behalf of the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, discussed the need for Texas lawmakers to pass sports betting legislation that allows Texas voters to decide on the issue for themselves.
During the interview, Scott noted that Missouri recently became the 39th state to legalize sports betting, making Texas part of just a handful of states missing out on the benefits of legalization and forcing many Texans to turn to illegal operators to place bets. As Scott noted, in October, more than 1.1 million attempts were made to log in to legal sports betting platforms in the Lone Star State. However, when blocked, many Texans were forced to turn to illegal offshore sites.
Scott went on to urge lawmakers to prioritize public safety and pass legislation that protects consumers. Scott also noted the economic benefits of sports betting legalization, saying, “It’s about the state potentially reaping in an enormous amount of revenue off of these folks that decide that they want to go bet.” Other states, like New York, have brought billions in revenue to their state through legalization and similar benefits are expected in Texas. These funds could be used to pay down property taxes, among other opportunities, said Scott.
This comes as FOX Business reports that a new study found “Texas would benefit from over $2.6 billion annually in economic output, adding non-gaming tax revenues generated from legal sports betting are expected to total $24.3 million per year” if sports betting is legalized. These funds could be used to pay down property taxes, among other opportunities, continued Scott.
By legalizing and regulating sports betting, Texas can prioritize public safety, boost economic growth, and allow all voters to determine the future of this growing industry. Scott’s message was clear: it’s time give Texans the opportunity to vote for a safer, more transparent, and economically beneficial approach to sports betting.
“That’s all we want to do is let the voters decide. Let Texans get to play… Let the voters use their commonsense to decide what’s in the best interest of the state of Texas,” concluded Scott.
Listen to the full interview here.