AUSTIN, TX — Earlier this week, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa joined Senator Lois Kolkhorst as joint-author of Senate Bill (SB) 715 and Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 39, that if passed, would legalize sports betting in Texas.
Senator Hinojosa released the following statement:
“Texans are all about freedom of choice. The Legislature should provide our voters the right to decide for themselves if they want to engage in legal sports wagering. Last session, I introduced legislation that would provide voters that choice. This session, I am honored to joint author SB 715 and SJR 39 with Senator Lois Kolkhorst to give voters in November the opportunity to determine if they want to legalize sports betting in Texas. If these bills are passed, the state would be able to regulate, license and tax sports betting activity, which would bring us in line with 36 other states. Texans are already placing illegal bets on sports to the tune of billions of dollars per year – in many cases offshore sports books that offer no protections against bad actors and leave Texans with no legal recourse. The current status quo is unacceptable. It is only right that we give Texans a voice on this important issue.”