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A proposed law introduced this week in the Texas State Senate will let voters determine whether 12 new casinos should be built across the Lone Star state.
"Texans are already voting with their feet and going out of state to gamble," said state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston. "It's time for Texas to reap the economic benefits."
If a majority of Texas voters approve the measure, the new Texas Gaming Commission would be able to grant operating licenses to 12 casino projects.
Three of those casinos would be on tribal, Indian land in Texas, including the Tigua's Speaking Rock Casino in El Paso.
"We're all in favor of anything that's going to keep the revenue in Texas," said Tigua Tribal Gov. Art Senclair.
According to State Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, he has long opposed gambling. However, he joined his colleague in filing the casino bill this week. Carona said Texans already spend billions each year gambling in other states, and online, in the state.
"Our legislation will capture the gaming activity, regulate it," Carona said.
Economist Ray Perryman estimated the casino proposal could create up to 400,000 new jobs and generate up to $4.5 billion annually.
"People will spend more of their money in the state if we give them more opportunities," Perryman said.
The $1 billion the proposal would dedicate each year to college financial aid would help more than 200,000 Texas students, Perryman said.
State Rep. Norma Chávez, D-El Paso, has filed bills that would allow the Tiguas to resume gambling at the Speaking Rock Reservation, which was closed in 2002.
The last year Speaking Rock was open, it generated $60 million in revenue. It employed nearly 800 people, who earned annual average wages of $18,000.
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