HOUSTON – Some state lawmakers are renewing their push to bring casino gaming to Texas amid a projected multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall.
“It just strikes me as absurd for us to let Texans spend $6 billion helping schools and roads in other states…as opposed to doing it here,” said State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston.
The expansion of gaming options is also being touted as a way to turn around Texas’ struggling horse-racing industry.
Officials at the Sam Houston Race Park in northwest Houston are hoping the legislature agrees.
Eric Johnston, the park’s vice president of racing, said he’s seeing an 8 to 10 percent drop in revenue each year. He said slot machines would help reverse that trend.
In the meantime, the park is trying desperately to entice customers, offering everything from 50-cent beers to Fathers Day promotions.
"The crowds are dwindling,” said customer Michael Nettles. “It's nothing like it was five years ago."
Nettles said he no longer bets on local races because the purses are too low. Instead, he watches other races throughout the country on televisions set up throughout the track and gambles on those.
He and other customers argue that slot machines will make the Sam Houston Race Park more attractive to horse-racing fans.
"It would put more money in the purse funds to get the better horses here," Nettles said.
Gambling opponents have said more gaming options will breed addiction and crime. They also suggest special interest groups will get the bulk of the money.
Some lawmakers, though, argue Texas just can't afford to lose the money since it faces a projected budget shortfall of $18 billion, according to some estimates.
“I think the timing is right and I think we have a pretty good shot at passing it,” Ellis said. “It’s going to be very difficult to make up that budget shortfall.”
As for the concerns about addiction, Ellis said some money should be set aside for recovery programs.
“Texans are doing it anyway,” Ellis said. “But they’re dropping that money in Lake Charles, they’re dropping that money in new Orleans, in Mexico, in Las Vegas. I want those dollars here.”
