FINGERS CROSSED!
Texas is oh-so-close to pulling pro sports out of the dark ages
Feb 7, 2023, 3:04 pm
Sports betting in Texas could be just around the corner. Photo by Getty Images, Composite by Brandon Strange.
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, now a spokesperson for parties pushing for legalized sports betting in Texas, told a Channel 11 reporter:
“I'm sure the first time a Christian walked into the Coliseum in Rome, somebody bet on the outcome.”
I'm all in for legalized gambling in Texas, but I challenge Perry's historical accuracy. I visited Rome a couple of years ago and took the Coliseum tour. It's true that back in the day, Christians were fed to the lions (and other beasts) in the Coliseum, but there wasn't a betting window for fans to wager on the outcome. The lions were undefeated in ancient Rome. They had a better winning percentage than the Harlem Globetrotters. In fact, the event wasn't over until the lions won each time.
But I get what Perry is saying and I agree with him. It's whackadoodle that Texas doesn't have legalized sports betting. It's perfectly permitted all around us. Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee are within a day's drive. Why must we continue to make Mattress Mack drive all the way to Louisiana to bet his millions? I wonder, did Mack deduct 62 cents per mile when he went to collect his $75 million on the Astros winning the World Series? Every penny counts.
Bottom line: despite sports betting being illegal in Texas, anybody with minimal computer savvy can get on their laptop or smartphone and bet on sports. It's no wonder that the big online sportsbooks, like DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM, advertise in Texas where their product technically is illegal.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court knocked down a federal ban on sports betting four years ago and left it for states to decide, 35 states have approved some form of sports gambling. Texas is not one of them.
However, something's a-brewing in the Lone Star State. On Monday, two bills were presented in the Texas Legislature, currently in session in Austin, that may lead to legalized sports gambling here. Just may. It's still a longshot, but gamblers know, longshots sometimes win. Past efforts have failed, but this year looks like the best odds ever for legalized gambling in Texas.
That's because one of the bills for legalized sports gambling was presented Monday by state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham, who knows a winner when she represents one. That's where Blue Bell ice cream is made, and even “cows think Brenham's Heaven.” Blue Bell dominates the ice cream market in Texas and one flavor, Homemade Vanilla, accounts for 60-percent of its sales. Note for trivia buffs: Blue Bell's next most popular flavors are Dutch Chocolate and Cookies 'n Cream.
More important, Kolkhorst is a Republican and political ally of Gov. Greg Abbott, who after years of opposing legalized sports gambling appears to have cracked open the door this time.
Kolkhorst is a force in Austin. She chairs the senate's Health and Human Services committee. Probably equally significant, she is a former collegiate athlete. She was a member of the golf team at Texas Christian University. Introducing her bill Monday she said, “I respect the purity of sports and feel (her bill) will promote integrity through transparent licensing, permitting and reporting requirements.”
Legalized sports gambling also would promote many, many millions of dollars in revenue for Texas. The state would take 10-percent off the top of the action. If a proposed bill passes through the Texas Legislature, sports betting could be on the ballot in November, where it would be expected to pass by a wide margin.
Supporting legalized sports gambling in Texas: the Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Astros, Houston Texans and Professional Golf Association.
The main opposition to legalized sports gambling in Texas continues to be Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. He has repeatedly shot down any attempt to bring gambling to Texas. However, that's the thing about gambling, you never know the result until it's over.
As Rocky Balboa sort of said after beating Ivan Drago, “if Gov. Abbott can change, and you can change, everybody can change, even Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.”
Here’s hoping, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
What were the takeaways from the Texans-Panthers preseason game?
We’re getting close to cuts, so the stakes are high with one last chance to make a lasting impression in the final preseason game. In the Texans’ win over Carolina, the biggest takeaway was the offensive line and running game — they looked good. Pass protection held up, and C.J. Stroud put together a nice touchdown drive capped off with a fourth-down throw to Nico Collins. Both rookies Jayden Higgins and Jalen Noel caught passes, and Nick Chubb looked sharp running with the starters.
How did the O-line look?
The line already looks much improved from last season. Pass protection was solid, run blocking was effective, and they were able to grind out yards while giving Stroud a clean pocket. Rookie Aireontae Ersery continues to impress, and there’s a real chance he ends up as the starting left tackle over big ticket free agent Cam Robinson. Robinson is back at practice, but Ersery has looked good with the first unit — and he was drafted to take Laremy Tunsil’s spot anyway, so why not speed up the process?
In practice the starters have been LT Ersery, LG Laken Tomlinson, C Jake Andrews, RG Ed Ingram, and RT Tytus Howard. If Robinson slides back to left tackle, Ersery could move to right tackle with Howard shifting inside to guard. It’ll be interesting to see what combo the Texans roll out against the Rams in Week 1.
Did the running backs impress?
Chubb looked good behind the line, finishing with 5 carries for 25 yards and a reception. He seemed comfortable in the scheme and showed some burst — it’s obvious he knows what he’s doing. If Joe Mixon isn’t ready for the start of the season, Houston should be in good hands with Chubb.
Damien Pierce is still out, which has given rookie Woody Marks more opportunity. He made the most of it with 40 yards on 7 carries against Carolina. He’s also shown he can help on third down with his ability in the passing game, which could earn him a real role.
How did the receivers look?
Rookie receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel both caught passes. Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, and Justin Watson each added a couple of grabs too. Based on last year, Stroud tends to funnel targets to his top two options. A season ago it was Collins and Stefon Diggs before injuries hit. This year, Kirk looks capable of filling that Diggs role out of the slot. He just fits.
Reaction to the John Metchie–Harrison Bryant trade
The Texans needed more tight end depth with Brevin Jordan hurt, and Metchie wasn’t going to make the team. Bryant gives them another option, and it looks like tight ends may play a bigger role in the offense after Irv Smith Jr. led the team in catches and yards against Carolina.
Special teams also factored in. Metchie doesn’t play there, while Braxton Berrios and Justin Watson do, which gives the Texans more flexibility. Collins, Kirk, Higgins, Noel, and Hutchinson all look like locks at receiver, so moving Metchie made sense. It will be interesting to see who the final pieces will be in the Texans receiver room. Will they keep Watson and/or Berrios? We'll find out on Tuesday when the final cuts are made. Stay tuned!
What to watch for against the Lions
It’s all about the offense at this point. The defense is expected to be elite, so the spotlight shifts to Stroud and the rest of the unit. If the offensive line holds up against Detroit and the operation looks sharp, the Texans should be well-positioned to open the regular season on the right foot.
There's so much more to break down! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The NFL season is almost upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Texans on Tap podcast, which drops each Thursday during the preseason! More episodes will ramp up when the regular season begins! We'll go live on YouTube after every regular-season game.
___________________________
*ChatGPT assisted.
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!