Pro-gaming lawmakers note that every neighboring state has casinos that siphon tax money out of Texas every year. However, discussions regarding the legalization of casinos hit the Texas legislature every year. Private card rooms also operate in Texas, but those too are under fire and the future of such poker rooms is uncertain. However, both casinos seem to have finally established firm legal footing for the foreseeable future. Texas is also home to two tribal casinos whose legality has been questioned by authorities over the years.
Horse racing betting, the state lottery and limited forms of charitable gaming are the only forms of explicitly legal gambling. As the second-most populous state in the country but with few legal gambling options, Texas is the definition of untapped potential.
