Published on: December 8, 2025, 10:55 AM.
Updated on: December 8, 2025, 11:06 AM.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott has consistently opposed casinos
- Abbott shows no signs of altering his stance on casinos
- Abbott is preparing for reelection in 2026
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas (R) has been a long-time opponent of casinos throughout his time in office. He currently has no plans to alter his stance on gaming regulations.
Since Abbott assumed office in January 2015, several states historically resistant to casino gambling, including Texas, have legalized commercial casinos, such as Arkansas, Nebraska, and Virginia. Numerous other states have also embraced sports betting, which remains illegal in Texas.
Abbott has consistently rejected calls for casinos in Texas. In light of significant lobbying efforts by Las Vegas Sands and its primary stakeholder, billionaire Dr. Miriam Adelson, Abbott reaffirmed his view that now is not the time to consider casino or sports betting legalization.
“I’m not there yet. I’m simply not there yet,” Abbott stated, speaking to CBS News Texas in Fort Worth.
Repeatedly using the word “yet” might indicate that he could be open to a policy shift in the future.
Lobbying Efforts for Casinos
Abbott states that his opposition to casinos is mainly due to worries about the financial difficulties associated with problem gambling. He also raised concerns that sports gambling could compromise the integrity of sporting events.
“We’ve observed rising issues linked to gambling, whether it’s addiction or issues arising in sporting events involving athletes who may be compromised,” Abbott noted.
“This prompted us to pause and reassess, ensuring that we wouldn’t take any actions harmful to the residents of Texas, our state’s culture, or our sporting events,” Abbott added.
Dr. Adelson, along with billionaire Mark Cuban, who holds a minority stake in the Dallas Mavericks, has suggested building a new arena for the NBA team alongside a Las Vegas-style casino resort. Cuban believes Texas requires new attractions to boost tourism.
Sands has invested millions in lobbying state lawmakers to gain support for gaming. Although their efforts have not yet led to legislative success, Sands is likely to persist.
Sands’ late founder, Sheldon Adelson, aimed to enter Texas, the largest untapped casino market in the U.S. Following his death in January 2021, Dr. Adelson has continued her husband’s agenda, which includes supporting Republican candidates at both the state and federal levels.
Betting Odds on Texas Governor
Abbott stands as the frontrunner for Texas’ 2026 gubernatorial race. However, he faces a Republican primary battle from at least two opponents: Pete Chambers, a former U.S. Army Special Forces lieutenant colonel, and Mark Goloby, a conservative businessman and activist.
Currently, Abbott’s approval rating sits at a low 40%, the weakest of his tenure. While Texas has no term limits for governors, many believe it might be time for a change.
Abbott has received diminishing support in the gubernatorial elections he has participated in. After winning the gubernatorial seat in 2014 with 59.3% of the votes, he secured 55.8% in 2018 and 54.8% in 2022.
Kalshi bettors currently predict that the governor’s office will remain under Republican control, with the latest odds suggesting a 93% likelihood that the 2026 Republican candidate will win. Ann Richards was the last Democrat to hold the governor’s office in Texas during the early 1990s.
A significant factor in Abbott’s declining popularity seems to be Texas’ changing demographics. Despite a drop in birth rates, Texas is experiencing the highest population growth in the nation. Both domestic and international migration have been pivotal in this population boom within Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
Over 320,000 individuals from other countries relocated to Texas between July 2023 and July 2024.