If attempts to expand gambling in Texas failed to pass by close of business yesterday then it is likely to be 2007 before the issue is discussed again by legislators. Casino operators in Louisiana will be glad of the respite. The latest Lake Charles riverboat casino that opened last week in Louisiana has already increased competition in the state, and there will be casinos opening in Oklahoma.

Texas is a big supplier of gamblers to Louisiana’s casino market, which is heavily dependent on out-of-state players. In 2004 74% of casino visitors at Shreveport-Bossier were from other states, and 63% at the Lake Charles riverboats.

Strong conservative opposition to gambling in Texas has contributed to the failure of the draft gambling bills, but it is the lack of an incentive from a huge budget deficit that has taken the heat from the prospective legislation. With no dire need for finding extra funding, Texas has no urgent need to rush through casino laws.

A state lottery was approved in 1991 but so far there is no real movement on expanding gambling in Texas even though the declining horseracing industry would like to have slot machines or video lottery terminals at racetracks, in order to boost prize money for the racing purses.

Many Texans would like to see casinos in their state so that the revenues would boost the Texan economy rather than those of neighbouring states, and in 2007 the likelihood of casino legislation being passed increases. In the meantime the Louisiana operators will continue to benefit from the Texan gambling dollars. (E-05.31.05)

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