Texas Pro-Casino Lobby Could Go up in Smoke

This year’s pandemic has left a devastating mark on the state of Texas. Known for its wealth, the region is looking to restabilise itself and fill a $4.6 billion hole blown in its budget. This has allowed democrats to seize the moment and push forward proposals to legalise marijuana in the Great State. It is said that this initiative would bring in hundreds of millions in revenue and create thousands of jobs. 

The tide has already begun to turn in the courtrooms, as laws passed in 2019 legalising Hemp in the state have complicated prosecutions for possession. It is reported that some cities have even eased pursuing small marijuana cases to avoid the disclarity of the law on the subject. 

According to state Rep. Joe Moody, Texas is desperate to bring in additional funds to bolster its economy. He said: 

“As we see a number of states engaging around the country in a retail market, this is no longer an experiment,” Moody said. “It is also no secret that we are heading into some rough economic waters and we need to explore every possible revenue stream.” 

The chairman of Vegas Sands, Sheldon Adelson, may have different plans and has put his money where his mouth is to bring about a change in legislative circles. 

 What is the Motive for the Money? 

Adelson has ploughed $4.5 million into state House races in 2020 and has hired eight high-profile lobbyists to carry out his bidding ahead of the new legislative session in Texas for 2021. 

While gambling punters may see a glimmer of hope in a potential push for legalised commercial casinos in the state, some believe that this may be a rehashing of old endeavours by Adelson. It is said that he may be lobbying to push his anti-drug views and quash any initiatives to legalise the plant. 

He has a history of being an anti-marijuana punter, and actively stepped in to block pro-pot legislation in Florida, Nevada, and Massachusetts. The push in Texas may just be another ‘port of call’ in his anti-drug tirade, which has been fuelled by losing a son to a narcotics overdose in 2015. 

 Ingenious Way to Weed out Marijuana 

Perhaps Mr Adelson is seeking the best of both worlds? Nobody likes a hater, but everyone adores a problem solver. The ideal move to get his way may come in the form of a trade-off. 

The state government needs revenue, and a legalised and regulated gambling industry has a proven track record of being able to provide this.  

Countries across the European Union are seeing massive revenue increases thanks to liberal laws on gambling among many of the countries. The installation of legalised casinos would provide both job creation and potentially bolster the state’s coffers with hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes at the same time.  

In a region the size of Texas, the potential is massive for multiple regulated land-based casino parlours and resorts. 

While lobbyists have failed in passing gambling bills in the past, the vulnerability of the economy at this time may provide the catalyst needed to push for legalised betting in-state and block the need to legalise weed.