Playing against the House

Good Thursday morning. Anyone else hungry for steak all the time lately?

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Today's Top Narrative

PLAYING AGAINST THE HOUSE. We've heard from Governor Abbott: "I don't have a problem with online sports betting." We have a pretty good idea of where Lt. Gov. Patrick stands: "The Texas Lottery cannot continue unless the people of Texas have faith that the game is not rigged." And now, in a new interview, we've heard from Speaker Burrows: "I don’t think that’s gonna be happening this session.”

What changed? The House, long the smoldering embers of hope for gambling advocates, seems now to be a bucket of cold water. A letter Tuesday from 15 Republican lawmakers to Rep. Ken King, chair of the House State Affairs Committee, drives the point home: “We are confident this legislation does not have the votes necessary to pass the Texas House this session." Two years ago, a casino amendment garnered 92 votes—eight shy of the two-thirds needed. This session? 12 of those 15 members are replacing aye votes from previous sessions. The math really ain't mathing now.

Not Helping: Texas Lottery Commission’s ongoing saga is not helping anyone in favor of gambling expansion. Rule changes, bills passing, committee grillings, and Ranger investigations. If Texas cannot manage a lottery without scandal, the thinking goes, how can it handle casinos or sports betting? I had previously argued that the Lottery Commission scandal could actually clear the way for gambling expansion. But with the Speaker's new comments, I may have to eat those words.