Las Vegas Sands is making a concerted effort to gain support for the legalization of gambling and the creation of destination resorts in North Texas. This push comes as the company gears up for the 2025 legislative session. The move is part of a broader strategy to enhance lobbying efforts and secure favorable legislation for their ambitious projects.
Las Vegas Sands, known for owning the Dallas Mavericks, is actively seeking endorsements from key business and city leaders across North Texas. The company’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Andy Abboud, recently met with representatives from major cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Arlington, Farmers Branch, and Visit Dallas. The meeting, organized by the North Texas Commission and the Texas Association of Business, aimed to build a coalition in favor of gambling expansion.
During this gathering, Abboud emphasized the potential economic benefits of legalized gambling and destination resorts. Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer, and Dallas City Council Member Chad West were among the notable attendees. Although Council Member West expressed personal reservations about gambling, he acknowledged the economic impact it could bring. “I’m personally not a gambler, and I don’t really want to be. But I do think it’s an industry that has an incredible economic impact opportunity. I unequivocally believe Texas will legalize gambling, and, because of that, I think we have a fiduciary duty as representatives to be prepared for that,” West stated.
Economic Impact and Future Plans
Sands has already made a significant investment in the region by acquiring 108 acres in Irving, near the former Dallas Cowboys stadium. This acquisition signals the company’s commitment to developing major resorts if gambling is legalized.
The North Texas Commission is forming an exploratory committee to assess the impact of gambling. This committee will include a wide range of stakeholders, such as social services, public safety experts, and business leaders. Patrick Brophey, the Commission’s Chief Operating Officer, highlighted that the committee will be open to all significant regional stakeholders, including those opposed to gambling.
Sands projects that legalized gambling could generate a $13 billion increase in Texas’s GDP, create 70,000 permanent jobs, and 185,000 construction jobs. The Dallas-Fort Worth area alone could see a $34.7 million boost in tax revenue, including $5.9 million from sales tax and $28 million from property taxes.
Looking ahead, Sands envisions establishing two destination resorts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and up to five more locations across the state if the amendment passes. The company has invested heavily in this initiative, with Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont, owners of the Dallas Mavericks, spending millions to support gambling legislation. Adelson has already invested at least $13 million in Texas this year, advocating for pro-gambling groups like the Texas Destination Resort Alliance.
Despite strong public support for gambling, previous legislative efforts have stalled. Legalization would require a constitutional amendment and voter approval, marking a significant hurdle for Sands’ plans.
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