Will Texas ever get gambling? Isn't everyone tired of driving out of state (Galveston: purchase, construction)

[blueskies49]

I was surprised when I started hearing about Texas Hold 'Em in other states. For many years it was just a back room game in Texas. Guess it became popular and spread.

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by CamaroGuy

It still seems strange though that you cannot play Texas Hold em in Texas.lol

They have it in Texas. It's called Texas, Hold 'em from gambling!

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by C2H (ComingtoHouston)

I think the laws in Texas are what's holding the big cities like Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio from becoming World Class and Entertainment recognized cities. Dallas and Houston could get the status of Chicago or NYC but liquor stores closing at 9pm and no casinos in the state is idiotic IMO. People still find a way to sin regardless.

You are right about that. Texas lawmakers are too judgmental about what they call "sins". Last year, they wanted to add a $5 surcharge to t*tty bar patrons to pay for some new education program. They are constantly adding taxes to liquor, beer, wine and cigarettes too. You cannot buy liquor at a grocery store like you can in other states and cannot even buy liquor in some areas period. I dislike this backwardsness.

[CamaroGuy]

Originally Posted by wehotex

You cannot buy liquor at a grocery store like you can in other states and cannot even buy liquor in some areas period. I dislike this backwardsness.

I remmeber when I visited San Antonio back in 2003 and 2004 that the H-E-B store I went into had liquor. Or at least I remember buying some wine there.

But you're right Texas should adopt a more "Goldwater Libertarian" view on such things.

[blueskies49]

It's not like you can't buy liquor or wine at all. You may have to go to a wet county or city but you CAN get it!

[CamaroGuy]

I have a friend who lives in Dallas and I remember him telling me that you cannot get alcoholic drinks in the city on Sunday until after 5:00 p.m.

[Lucidus]

Originally Posted by teatime

Hey, why are y'all trying to foist this on West Texas? Put it near Laredo so if there's an increase in crime, no one will notice anyway (or they can blame it on illegal immigrants!)

Two different companies tried doing gambling cruises from South Padre Island/Port Isabel. They didn't last very long -- I guess they didn't have enough steady business. The greyhound track in Harlingen went under, too, and reopened a few years later just offering limited, simulcast races. I don't know if it's still open.

Moreover, the airline that offered regular flights to Las Vegas from Abilene left the airport, due to lack of business. I honestly don't think that gambling is a big thing in Texas. Would I go to a casino? Yeah, maybe once or twice to check it out but the change in laws, the infrastructure needed, and maintenance of casinos requires a regular flood of hard-core gamblers to make it financially worthwhile. I don't think we've got that. LOL, and thank God for it!

I for one am not trying to foist it upon West Texas but I would be happy if another economic option was available. Ideally I think the best plan would be to allow individual counties to decide on legalized gambling.

Abilene and Taylor county would most likely keep it illegal. I remember when Abilene had a hockey team but would not allow beer at the games. They had a good team but were still struggling financially. Hockey fans enjoy their beer. Odessa also had a team and still does, and allows beer sales. I can't say that there is a connection but I wouldn't be surprised if there is. I sometimes have to travel on business and I love trips to Vegas, not because I am a big gambler I am not ( I will play some small stakes games just for entertainment), but because there are direct non-stop flights from Midland to Vegas. and generally the hotels are cheap.

I also remember a while back when there was a casino planned for Stanton just outside of Midland, there seemed to be a good amount of support for it. That surprised me because I thought Midland would too conservative for that. But anyway, if West Texas(or actually all of Texas) was given the option of legalization then I think M/O would probably benefit.

At the very least I would say that Texas should allow Texas Hold 'Em at hotels. I need to go now, I have a Monday night Hold 'em game to attend, completely legal of course.

[CamaroGuy]

For starters they ought to re-open the two Indian casinos that they shut down a few years back. Then they should expand Indian gaming in the state.

[pollyrobin]

Thanks for participating in my poll. It's obvious that Texas is split down the middle over gambling. I really like the idea of putting a "Casino Town" somewhere in the state. I think it would work.

[carolmcb]

So what is the big issue in Texas regarding casino style gambling? There are other forms of legalized gambling -- dog racing and horse racing in Texas.