Proposing a constitutional amendment, to be submitted to the voters of Texas for approval, authorizing the legislature to strictly regulate and authorize casino gaming and sports wagering by general law and establishing certain requirements for such law, including imposition of a tax on casino gaming and sports wagering revenue, requiring licensing of casino gaming and sports wagering operators, and requiring license application fees.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Charlie Geren

Texas voters would decide via a constitutional amendment to let the Legislature regulate casino gaming and sports wagering only through general laws, with licensing and taxes.

Referred to State Affairs

#amusements #games #sports(i0034) #gambling(s1232) #nativeamericans(s0441) #occupationalregulation--othertrades&professions(i0541) #resolutions--constitutionalamendments(i0661) #taxation--general(i0815)

Overview

HJR 137 is a proposed Texas constitutional amendment filed February 12, 2025 and referred to the State Affairs Committee. As a joint resolution, it would put before voters a change to the Texas Constitution. If approved by voters, the amendment would authorize the Legislature to regulate and authorize casino gaming and sports wagering through general law, establishing a framework for licensing, taxation, and related requirements.

Introduced: February 12, 2025

Status: Referred to State Affairs (as of March 19, 2025)

Legislative actions: Read first time and referred to State Affairs on March 19, 2025

What the bill would do (core purpose)

Permit the Legislature to strictly regulate and authorize casino gaming and sports wagering, but only through general (statutory) law after voter approval of the constitutional amendment.

Allow the regulation to be implemented via general law, rather than constitutional text itself.

Create a legal framework for licensing, taxation, and other regulatory requirements governing casino gaming and sports wagering.

Key provisions and changes proposed

Constitutional basis for regulation: The amendment would authorize the Legislature to enact general laws governing casino gaming and sports wagering.

Taxation: The general law framework would include the imposition of a tax on casino gaming and sports wagering revenue.

Licensing: The framework would require licensing of casino gaming and sports wagering operators.

License application fees: The regulatory scheme would authorize or require license application fees as part of obtaining a license.

Scope: The subject areas indicate coverage of amusements, games, sports, gambling, with potential implications for Native American gaming interests and occupational regulation related to this activity. The exact design of the regulatory regime would be determined by future general laws enacted under the amendment.

Who would be affected

Casino gaming operators and sports wagering operators seeking licenses under the new regime.

State agencies responsible for gaming regulation (to implement and enforce licensing, taxation, and compliance).

The gambling market in Texas, including potential impacts on consumers and businesses.

Native American gaming interests and tribal-related regulatory considerations (noting the bill’s subject areas include Native Americans).

Local governments that interact with or regulate gaming establishments.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill is a joint resolution, meaning it would require voter approval in a statewide election to amend the Texas Constitution.

If voters approve, the Legislature would then enact general laws to implement the regulatory framework (licensing, taxation, oversight).

Current status indicates initial introduction and referral; substantive policy details would be resolved through future legislative action and comprehensive regulatory drafting.

Potential implications and considerations

A voter-approved constitutional amendment would unlock the ability to create a comprehensive state regulatory structure for casino gaming and sports wagering.

Taxation and licensing provisions could generate state revenue while establishing standards for operators.

The relationship with existing tribal gaming arrangements and compacts would likely be a key consideration in designing the final statutory framework.

Fiscal impacts (revenue, enforcement costs, regulatory infrastructure) would depend on the specifics of the general laws enacted under the amendment.

Bill