Casino backers have grand plans for Texas

April 14, 2009

AUSTIN – The first House committee hearing on multiple casino gambling bills convened today amid a packed room at the Capitol.

“If we’re going to do this, let’s do it on such a scale that we get the best bang, the best value, for Texas dollars,” said Democratic Rep. Jose Menendez of San Antonio. Menendez and other lawmakers proposed a major resort casino plan to allow slot machines at race tracks and on Native American lands.

Sheldon G. Adelson, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., was the first witness to testify before the House Licensing and Administration Procedures Committee regarding several gaming bills being considered by the Legislature.

Adelson supports a comprehensive bill backed by the Texas Gaming Association that would create 12 Las Vegas-style resort casinos, allow slot machines at horse and dog tracks, and return casino gaming to Indian reservations

“Not all casinos are created equal, destination resort is the way to go,”
said Sheldon Adelson, chairman and chief executive of the Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Adelson told legislators that Texas can be a prime market for large casino resorts that attract convention business with entertainment, restaurants, and shopping. He illustrated his points with large photos of his company’s properties including the Venetian and the Palazzo in Las Vegas.
His company and others would be interested in bidding for casino licenses in Texas and said construction money would be available despite the economy.

The Tigua tribe of El Paso and the Alabama-Coushatta tribe of Livingston are both looking to reopen casinos that the state closed in 2002 after a federal court decision. The tribes are supporting their own legislation to reopen their casinos, and they also want to be included in any major bill that includes legalization of their casinos.

House gambling bills in this session include HB1724, HJR70, HB3239, HJR99, HB3235, HB4018.

Return to Texas Casinos.