Texas Casinos and Sports Betting Could Go to Voters in 2027: Geren and Houston's Alvarado File Matching Amendments Capping Casinos at 10
House Joint Resolution 52 and Senate Joint Resolution 11, both filed November 9, would put a constitutional amendment on the November 2, 2027 ballot: up to 10 licensed casinos with 40-year initial terms, a tax capped at 15 percent, and tribal compacts. First they need two-thirds of both chambers - the bar the 2023 casino push missed at 92 House votes.
Texas's casino fight has its 2027 paperwork. On November 9 - the first day bills could be filed for the 90th Legislature - Republican Rep. Charlie Geren of Fort Worth filed House Joint Resolution 52 and Democratic Sen. Carol Alvarado of Houston filed Senate Joint Resolution 11, companion constitutional amendments that would let voters decide whether Texas legalises casino gaming and sports wagering. Both measures are introduced only: no committee has taken them up, and the session itself does not convene until January 12, 2027.
The two texts agree on the skeleton. Each amends Article III, Section 47 of the Texas Constitution to let the Legislature, by general law, authorise and strictly regulate casino gaming and sports wagering. Casino gaming would happen only on site at a licensed operator's physical premises; the number of casino licences is capped at 10 statewide, with initial license terms of at least 40 years; operators would pay licence and application fees and a tax on gaming and wagering revenue capped at 15 percent. The Senate version adds a gaming commission to regulate the industry; the House leaves the details to the statute itself. Both direct the state to negotiate Class III gaming compacts with Texas's three federally recognised tribes - the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.
If two-thirds of each chamber - at least 100 House votes and 21 Senate votes - sends an amendment forward, Section 2 of each resolution puts it to the voters on November 2, 2027. The House ballot sentence asks Texans to approve an amendment 'to permit the Legislature, by general law, to authorize and regulate casino gaming and sports wagering at a limited number of locations in this state, require licenses and license application fees for operators, and impose a tax on casino gaming and sports wagering revenue'. KPRC's coverage of the filings notes Galveston could be among the first places to benefit if voters say yes.
The history says the House is the easy chamber and it still was not easy. In 2023 an online sports betting measure passed the House with 101 votes, while Geren's casino resolution reached only 92 - eight short of the constitutional threshold. Geren has framed the statewide vote itself as the point: put the question to Texans, and a rejection at the ballot box closes the debate. The Senate, which must also reach two-thirds, opens its work in January; the session is scheduled to adjourn May 31, 2027. Until a chamber votes, Texas remains what it has been - a state where commercial casinos and sports books are illegal, and where the argument now has a bill number again.
