This former Republican Texas governor will push for sports betting in state
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry wants mobile sports betting legalized in Texas and will be the face of a group playing the odds when lawmakers meet in January.
The Texas Sports Betting Alliance, which advocates for sports betting in Texas, announced Thursday that Perry will join the organization as a spokesperson. Perry is the former Secretary of Energy, serving in the Trump administration, and was governor from 2000 to 2015.
The alliance worked to bring sports betting to voters when lawmakers met in 2021, but the efforts did not gain momentum. Now, with the 2023 session starting on Jan. 10, the alliance is continuing its push to legalize the form of gambling. Alliance partners include a number of North Texas professional sports teams—The Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks, FC Dallas and Texas Rangers — as well as Texas Motor Speedway and BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, Perry said legalizing mobile sports betting would protect customers from illegal, offshore betting sites and keep money generated from betting within the state for Texans’ benefit.
“The reason that I think it will be successful this time is that thoughtful Texans, whether they are pro-sports betting or not look at this and go, ‘This is going to be happening in the state of Texas. Let’s make sure that it’s regulated and that Texans wont be ripped off by any unscrupulous outlets that could be out there,’ ” Perry told the Star-Telegram Thursday.
Spokesperson Cara Gustafson previously told the Star-Telegram the group has focused on talking with lawmakers and educating them ahead of their return to the Texas Capitol. The Nov. 8 election paved the way for a new class of freshman legislators in the state House and Senate. The alliance also had booths at both the Republican and Democratic state conventions.
Political science experts have been skeptical about the chances of expanded gambling. Thousands of bills are filed each legislative session, but most do not become law. Any change would have to go to voters as a constitutional amendment after passing by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate.
A bill separate from the alliance has been filed by Sen. Carol Alvarado that focuses on bringing limited casino gambling and sports wagering to the state. Las Vegas Sands through the Destination Resort Alliance has advocated for some destination resort-style casinos in the state.
“We remain focused on legalizing mobile sports betting,” Gustafson said.
Perry confirmed he’s a paid spokesperson, but declined say to how much he’s earning in the role. Gustafson said Perry is not a lobbyist for the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, but said the group does not comment on people’s compensation.
Ahead of the general election, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressed openness to “a professional entertainment option for Texans” but didn’t specify if or how sports betting fits in those parameters. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in a February 2021 radio interview on “The Chad Hasty Show” said pitches for casinos and sports books should be made through the lens of jobs and tourism. His chief strategist Allen Blakemore is a lobbyist for the Sports Betting Alliance.
Perry, who has in the past opposed expanded gambling, said he has not had conversations with the governor or lieutenant governor about sports betting.
“Having the governor for it is good, but I was reminded regularly when I was the governor that constitutional amendments don’t come to you, governor. You don’t get to make a decision on whether you like them or not from the standpoint of signing them or vetoing them,“ Perry said.
Sports betting is legal in more than 30 states, according to the American Gaming Association. Texas’ bordering states of New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana have legal sportsbooks. Arkansas and Louisiana also have legal online sports betting.
California voters rejected online sports betting on Election Day.
“I can tongue-in-cheek and say whatever California does, Texas wants to do the opposite, but I won’t do that,” Perry said, adding that he understands there was “misinformation,” “competing interests” and opposition from Native American tribes.
He was confident in the chances of mobile sports betting passing the Texas Legislature.
“I think there’s a very good chance for it to pass the legislature, and when it passes the legislature, I think the public will overwhelmingly support the concept,” he said.
So has Perry ever bet on a team himself? Perry said he’s not a big gambler, but he wagered $25 dollars while in Las Vegas “some years back” that Texas A&M would win the national championship in football.
“Not a good bet,” the A&M alumnus said.
This story was originally published November 17, 2022 at 8:13 AM.
