Critics and proponents of legislation to expand gambling in Texas pitted two key conservative tenets against one another as they testified before lawmakers in a House committee hearing Wednesday. Supporters stressed that the efforts would be an economic boon for the state, creating thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue, while opponents appealed to lawmakers’ sense of family values, stressing the immorality of legalizing the potentially addictive gaming.
House Bill 1942, written by Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, would permit regulated sports betting that is already legal in 29 states. House Bill 2843, by Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, would also permit casino gambling in Texas.