At a March 31 press conference in Galveston, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was direct when asked about gambling legalization: “All I can tell you is what the law says, and that is, gambling is unconstitutional in the state of Texas, and I don’t see that changing in the next session.”
The comment reinforces Article III, Section 47 of the Texas Constitution, which requires the Legislature to prohibit most gambling, with narrow statutory exceptions for charitable bingo, raffles, and the state lottery (added in 1991).
Abbott’s remark follows a December 2025 interview in which he voiced concerns about addiction, sports-related scandals, and cultural impacts.
Abbott’s stance means Texas remains a closed, high-value market for casino-style gaming.
