AUSTIN, TX — Despite persistent political resistance inside and outside the Legislature, the push to expand gambling options in the state is back on this legislative session, and the various gaming interests — which have often competed against one another in previous sessions — say a renewed focus on collaboration should help in their goal of expanding gambling for the first time in more than two decades.

John Montford, chairman of Let Texans Decide, a coalition of gaming companies, track operators, trade groups and others who want Texas to legalize casinos, has met with groups representing casino and slot machine interests and is optimistic that they could agree on potential legislation that would bring a constitutional amendment on gambling before Texas voters.

“We’re working hard to build coalitions in favor of a referendum,” said Montford, a former state senator from Lubbock and the author of the legislation that created the Texas Lottery. “The members of the Legislature don’t have to be pro- or anti-gaming to support a referendum. We want people to have a fair say so.”
 

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