Published on: January 30, 2026, 09:35h.
Updated on: January 30, 2026, 09:42h.
- Las Vegas Sands pushes for casino legalization in Texas
- The organization is urging state officials to support gambling initiatives
Las Vegas Sands and its primary investor, Dr. Miriam Adelson, are investing heavily in Texas politics, aiming to introduce casino gaming in the state.
Despite significant backing for Republican candidate John Huffman in Senate District 9, who failed to secure enough votes in the previous November election, Sands invested $500K in hopes he would advocate for gambling reforms.
According to Texas Scorecard, Las Vegas Sands has allocated nearly $10 million to its Texas political action committee (PAC) in preparation for the upcoming 2026 Republican primaries on March 3.
Incumbent Senator John Cornyn (R) is anticipated to face a primary contest from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. On November 3, Texans will also elect 38 representatives to the U.S. House. Additionally, the state Senate and House, as well as the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general’s positions, are included in the 2026 elections.
Potential Change in Texas Leadership?
Las Vegas Sands has been strategically investing in Texas politics for several years without success so far.
Governor Greg Abbott (R) and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (R) are likely candidates for reelection, yet both have not shown support for casino initiatives. Nevertheless, Sands remains optimistic that they can sway several current and prospective officeholders.
Texas Scorecard states that the Texas Sands PAC is assisting in the reelection efforts of Rep. Angelia Orr (R-District 13) and Rep. Stan Kitzman (R-District 85). The lobbying group is also backing candidate Lisa McEntire, aiming to unseat Rep. Andy Hopper (R-District 64), along with challenger Kyle Morris against Rep. David Lowe (R-District 91).
Although Abbott and Patrick appear to be the frontrunners, their approval ratings are at a historic low. While Texas has no term limits, even some Republicans believe a transition is necessary.
In the previous fall, Vikki Goodwin, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor and current state representative of the 47th district, mentioned to Casino.org that while gaming isn’t the core focus of her campaign, it’s essential to heed public opinion.
“We must hear the voices of Texas voters. There are numerous issues where I believe a significant majority of Texans feel one way while their elected representatives seem to diverge,” Goodwin remarked. “Gambling could very well be one of those matters.”
Many Texans have a passion for gaming, yet to access legal slot machines and table games, they often have to journey to nearby Louisiana and Oklahoma, or take a brief flight to Las Vegas.
Texas Hold’em – A Local Irony
It’s somewhat ironic that Texas Hold’em, the state’s most renowned poker variant, remains illegal within Texas itself. This game is said to have originated in Robstown, Texas, in the early 20th century.
In 2007, the Texas Legislature officially acknowledged Robstown as the birthplace of Texas Hold’em through a formal resolution.