AUSTIN, Texas — A new poll shows there’s support in Texas to legalize casinos and loosen marijuana restrictions.
More than 1,000 Texans were surveyed by the University of Houston recently and found nearly 80% of people supported expanding medical marijuana. Legalizing and decriminalizing recreational use also received bipartisan support.
Meanwhile, nearly 75% of both Republicans and Democrats supported building destination resort casinos, while a majority supported legalizing online and in-person sports betting.
What are the odds gambling legislation will pass?
Texas lawmakers may look into casino gambling as a way to infuse billions into the state if there’s ever a budget deficit. But that’s as far as it might go.
“I don’t think any gambling legislation will pass this session,” Mark Jones a senior research fellow at the University of Houston. “It’s going to be long odds for casino gambling to get passed this session.”
While it appears a majority of lawmakers support online sports betting, the support for casinos is significantly lower. Jones added that any legislation that gets passed may surround online sports betting or casino gambling by itself.
Lawmakers’ support around medical marijuana changing
An industrial hemp bill passed in 2019 to boost the industry has Texas lawmakers claiming it’s being exploited by thousands of retail outlets.
Jones said the best marijuana advocates can hope is a modest expansion of an already very limited medical marijuana law.
“Marijuana advocates are going to face a real uphill struggle in passing any legislation,” Jones said. “Although support for medical marijuana does seem to be creeping up with every passing year.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is just one example of the roadblocks both issues face in Texas. Patrick announced banning the marijuana compound THC is one of his top priorities for this legislative session. He’s also said that legalizing gambling efforts lacks support from Senate Republicans.
