Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Gambling in the Lone Star state?

There's a chance I won't have to drive to Louisiana to blow my money anymore:

This may finally be the year for casino gambling in the Lone Star State, state legislators and tribal leaders said Wednesday.

"It's got a better chance of getting to the voters this time around," Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Beaumont, said of the constitutional amendment required before slot machines start spinning in Texas.

Despite the new revenue's intriguing possibilities, casino gambling proposals have consistently sputtered out.

New this legislative session is a reported union between horse track owners and new casino proponents. Seeing one another as revenue threats previously stopped the groups from supporting the same legislation.

"With them together, there is certainly a stronger possibility of it passing," Deshotel said.

Honestly, I'll be surprised if this actually passes because Texas is so backwoods when it comes to gambling, but I'd vote for it.

Of course, I really don't know if it'd make a difference. Odds are that the nearest casinos would end up in Houston, which is just about as far away as Lake Charles.

But at least my money will be staying in-state.

Crossposted to Through our eyes

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