In a weekend interview with CBS News Texas, Gov Abbott said he is “simply not there yet” on legalizing Texas casino resorts or sportsbooks. The remarks he made showed that he now holds a more guarded perspective than he did in the previous year, when he accepted online sports betting without objection.
The interview with Gov Abbott included a direct question about his support for changing the Texas Constitution to let Texas casino gaming. The speaker made multiple statements that he needs more time to prepare for his upcoming responsibilities.
The governor explained that his hesitation comes from concerns linked to Texas gambling. He mentioned rising problems, including addiction and issues affecting sports. Gov Abbott also highlighted risks involving athletes influenced by betting.
He said these problems forced leaders to pause and carefully review the issue. Gov Abbott emphasized that every choice should not hurt people, the Texas way of life, or the honesty of sports. Instead of merely a financial opportunity, his comments presented Texas gaming as a social and ethical issue.
His position will prevent any progress on Texas casino legislation from moving forward. The Texas Legislature will not meet until 2027 because Gov Abbott needs to support legalization for any action to occur. Recent bills have already faced strong opposition. The sports betting legislation was introduced in 2025 but it crashed after a brief period. The Republican House members dubbed the measure "dead on arrival," clearly showing their great opposition.
The present circumstances show a fall from the 2023 performance when the House authorized a bill on sports betting. The proposal sought to empower Texas voters to shape the course of gambling in their state. The proposal faced opposition from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who has consistently resisted all efforts to expand gambling operations throughout Texas.
Patrick announced that the Republican Senate members do not provide enough backing for Texas casino legislation, which he considered unworthy of legislative work because it does not achieve public acceptance. Casino supporters lost their momentum after the special elections held in 2025. The Senate candidate who received backing from casino operators lost the election, which decreased the chances of obtaining better legislative backing. Texas casino resorts, which big casino companies have been promoting for multiple years, will create jobs and enhance tourism, according to their claims.
Some lawmakers suggested a limited resort model. The Texas casino resorts would be permitted to operate their facilities in major urban areas of Texas, which include Dallas and Houston. Gov Abbott did not reject this idea, but he emphasized he is still not ready to approve it.
Gov Abbott conducted the interview to discuss his main focus, which he considered the most important issue. He explained that Texas has the ability to decrease all taxes except for school property taxes. He did not present Texas gambling as a tool for funding these changes.
His comments show the challenges ahead for casino advocates. While Texas gambling is now part of mainstream political discussion, Gov Abbott’s repeated emphasis, saying he is “simply not there yet”, makes clear that Texas casino legalization remains a distant goal.
For now, Gov Abbott’s position sets the stage for cautious debate. The political and social hurdles remain high, and Texas gambling expansion will face scrutiny before any future steps.
