“I’ve said repeatedly there is little to no support for expanding gaming from Senate GOP,” Patrick tweeted Saturday. “I polled members this week. Nothing changed. The Senate must focus on issues voters expect us to pass. We don’t waste time on bills without overwhelming GOP support.”

The next day, he took aim at House Republicans for partnering with Democrats to pass the legislation: “Texas is a red state. Yet the House vote on sports betting was carried by a Dem majority. The Texas Senate doesn’t pass bills with GOP in the minority. The GOP majority guides our path.”

Still, gambling advocates say the bill’s passage in the House shows the potential to advance the legislation in future sessions.