The recent controversies surrounding the lottery have dampened the prospects of Texas casino gambling and sports betting.
If Texas can’t operate a lottery without allegations of mismanagement and corruption, the thinking goes, then how can it handle the complexities surrounding casinos and betting platforms?
Even the most ardent supporters of expanding gambling have discussed the damage the lottery controversy has done to dreams of resort-styled casinos, including a Dallas palace that would include shops, restaurants and — perhaps — the Dallas Mavericks.
“Boy, y’all are sure muddying the waters for some of us who try to expand gaming in this state,” state Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, said during a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing where Texas Lottery officials were heavily criticized for allowing couriers to broker online and mobile ticket requests.
