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Gaming Industry Eyes Texas

TEXAS – As reported by the Dallas Morning News: "Yes, Texas has a lottery. And, yes, it allows betting on horse and dog races. There's even charitable bingo.

"But in the realm of casino-style gaming, the most popular and lucrative type of gambling, it's better to think of Texas as the frontier – perhaps the final big frontier, because Pennsylvania just approved a major gaming expansion.

"Texas is by far the largest state in the country without commercial casinos or major American Indian gaming operations.

"'Clearly, Texas would be a state that would be attractive to anyone in the gaming industry,' said Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., president and chief executive of the American Gaming Association, which represents commercial casinos in the 11 states that allow them.

"…No doubt there's plenty of strong opposition to gambling in the state. But that hasn't deterred lobbyists for the state's racetracks, American Indian groups and casino companies from being active in Austin as lawmakers consider expanded gaming as part of the school finance formula.

"They know that opening up Texas would be a 'gold mine,' says state Sen. Ken Armbrister, D-Victoria, who advocates allowing slot machines at the state's racetracks, on some tribal lands and at other

"…Despite the lack of in-state opportunities, Harrah's says Texas still ranks seventh nationally in the number of casino trips made by its residents each year. Most of those trips are to Louisiana. Texas is the only state among the top 10 without commercial or large Indian casinos…"

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