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Texas House may consider casino bill

AUSTIN, Texas – As reported by the Dallas Morning News: "Lawmakers may finally be ready to expand gambling in Texas, with the House set to consider a bill this week to allow Indian casinos to reopen.

"But it'll be a modest change at best, because most legislators are still uneasy about backing lucrative resort casinos and slot machines at racetracks.

"Rep. Norma Chavez's bill doesn't legalize gambling outright, a move that would require changing the state constitution. But it gives the Tigua and Alabama-Coushatta tribes a defense against prosecution, allowing them to reopen casinos they were forced to close by a federal court ruling five years ago.

"…Other bills under consideration in House and Senate committees would legalize slot machines at racetracks, open a dozen casinos across the state and everything in between. But casino developers and racetrack operators, some sidelined by infighting, have failed to coalesce behind a single bill.

"Without a budget crisis, there's little financial urgency for lawmakers. And with just a month left in the legislative session, time is running out…"

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