Tag Archives: horse racing

One gambling bill makes it out of the House

Posted on May 13, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It will enjoy a brief and beautiful life, like the first snowflake falling onto the street, before dying of starvation and neglect in the Senate. In dramatic fashion, the Texas House on Thursday gave final approval to legislation that would … Continue reading →

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House to vote on doomed casino gambling bill

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

You do you, but remember that we’re living in Dan Patrick’s world, and he’s not going to let this happen. After weeks of uncertainty, legislation authorizing casino gambling in Texas was cleared to come to a vote of the full … Continue reading →

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Now we have a gambling bill filed by a Republican Senator

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe this is the gambling expansion bill that those who want gambling expansion have been waiting for. Advocates for legalizing online sports betting in Texas debuted new bills Monday that take a narrower approach than they did in 2021 — … Continue reading →

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Why the push for casinos failed

Posted on June 20, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a long story with a detailed answer to what is honestly a straightforward and easy to understand question. In its effort to bring casinos to Texas, Las Vegas Sands — the gaming empire started by the late Republican megadonor … Continue reading →

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Bills to allow casinos filed

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Don’t bet on them, that’s my advice. Two Texas lawmakers on Tuesday filed legislation backed by the gaming empire Las Vegas Sands that would legalize casino gambling in Texas. The legislation was filed by Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, in the … Continue reading →

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Gambling has always polled well

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to their self-reported efforts to work together, the pro-gambling expansion forces have released a poll showing public sentiment on their side. A poll paid for by Let Texans Decide, a pro-gambling group made up of interests that wanted … Continue reading →

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One big happy pro-gambling expansion family

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

If the pro-gambling forces in the state all join hands and agree to work together, will this finally be the year that gambling expansion gets a vote? Maybe. John Montford, chairman of Let Texans Decide, a coalition of gaming companies, … Continue reading →

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The racetracks have given up on gambling for this session

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a clear answer for those of you who may have been holding out some hope for an expansion of gambling. Retama Park officials have all but lost hope that lawmakers will act before the end of the regular legislative … Continue reading →

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Horse racing folks feeling good about gambling’s chances this time

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

They always say that, but maybe this time they’re right. The chief executive officer at Retama Park expressed cautious optimism Thursday that the state could one day allow slot machines at horse racetracks, a move that has long been deemed … Continue reading →

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More on SHRP’s investment partner

Posted on October 21, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I mentioned before that Sam Houston Race Park is getting an investor that will help them with the push to expand gambling in Texas. Here’s some more about the investor and the push. The Philadelphia-area company [Penn National] is, at … Continue reading →

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SHRP gets an investor

Posted on October 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

File this under “general gambling news”. Sam Houston Race Park will announce today it has entered into an ownership and operations agreement with racetrack and gaming giant Penn National Gaming Inc. as Texas track owners prepare to push for expanded … Continue reading →

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Retama Park

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s another story about another horse racing track – Retama Park, which is northeast of San Antonio in Selma – hoping to hit the jackpot (as it were) with slot machines. The bit that interests me is this: If slots … Continue reading →

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The state of horse racing in Texas

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

It’s not very bright right now. The Texas Racing Commission faced a packed house Friday in the enclosed confines of the Founder’s Room at Sam Houston Rack Park. They heard a tale of woe from an industry in rapid decline, … Continue reading →

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Poll says people prefer slots to taxes

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t think that’s a great revelation – I’d think many people would claim to prefer a bout of the flu to having their taxes raised – but for obvious reasons, this is a noteworthy finding. A new poll conducted … Continue reading →

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Filling the void

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve heard a number of reasons why we “need” video lottery terminals at horse racing tracks, but this one, espoused by Texas Racing Commission Chair Rolando Pablos, may be the most entertaining. Though he does not gamble, Pablos studied gaming … Continue reading →

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The gambling industry never sleeps

Posted on August 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I confess, I hadn’t realized the Chron had a Horse Racing Notebook column, but they do and this one wants to tell you just how awesome slot machines would be at the racetracks if only we’d let them have them. … Continue reading →

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Response from the racetracks

Posted on March 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

When I wrote my earlier post about how much revenue expanded gambling would generate for Texas, I said I’d be more than happy to do a similar exercise for someone on the pro-gambling side of things. Sure enough, I got … Continue reading →

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How much money would expanded gambling generate?

Posted on March 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Throughout this session, every time the subject of expanded gambling in Texas comes up, along with it comes some kind of projection of how much revenue it might generate. Those estimates always come from the proponent of that form of … Continue reading →

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Two stories about gambling

Posted on March 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron’s David Barron talks to some experts about putting slot machines at horse tracks, which is one of several major proposals to expand gambling in Texas this legislative session. William Eadington, an economics professor at the University of Nevada … Continue reading →

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Reason #437 why I’m skeptical of the gambling industry

Posted on March 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The regulatory agency that oversees horse and dog tracks in Texas is begging for a handout to make it through the end of the fiscal year. Faced with a 14 percent, nearly $678,000 shortfall, the commission that oversees horse and … Continue reading →

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Expanded gambling: It isn’t just for race tracks any more

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an update to the story about the big expanded gambling bill that was filed yesterday. Slot machines also would be allowed at the state’s existing race tracks under the proposal by Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston; Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas; … Continue reading →

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Gambling poll

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Got a press release in the mail on Monday that claims there is broad support for expanded gambling in Texas – in particular, allowing slot machines at existing race tracks and on Indian reservations. I’ll point you to Texas Insider … Continue reading →

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