AUSTIN — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s announcement to seek another four-year term poses a setback for those advocating for casino gambling and sports betting in Texas.
While Patrick hasn’t publicly expressed his personal or political stance on whether Texas should modify its strict gambling regulations to include casinos and mobile sports betting, he has consistently asserted that there aren’t enough Republican votes in the Senate to support such initiatives.
Similar to other key issues, Patrick will prevent any gambling bill backed by Democrats from advancing to the Senate floor. Mike Lavigne, a veteran gambling consultant based in Austin, remarked, “It’s groundhog day. The situation has not changed.”
Patrick has often been seen as an adversary to proponents of casino gambling. Many attribute stalled 2023 efforts to him, claiming he is the reason for the lack of progress heading into the 2025 session, although various other factors also contribute.
Despite Patrick’s influence, there is considerable Senate opposition to expanding gaming, fueled by moral reservations and ongoing issues with the state’s existing lottery system, which recently faced scrutiny resulting in the dissolution of the Lottery Commission.
The chances for casino gaming appear even more unlikely following Patrick’s official reelection campaign launch on August 19, where he stood alongside several endorsed Senate candidates. He doesn’t anticipate significant opposition in the upcoming March GOP primary and is favored to retain his seat against the Democratic challenger, State Rep. Vikki Goodwin from Austin.
While Patrick did not address the issue of gambling expansion during a press conference post-campaign launch, he expressed support for legislation aligned with Christian values. As the Senate President, Patrick maintains control over which bills are presented in the Senate, a firm grip analysts believe will persist for another term.
