Community leaders in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex are gearing up to study the potential impact of destination resort casinos on the region, preparing for discussions ahead of the 2025 Texas legislative session. The North Texas Commission (NTC), a public-private partnership focused on enhancing the vibrancy of the North Texas area, is assembling a committee of business and community leaders to explore this issue. Given that Dallas-Fort Worth is the fourth-largest metro area in the U.S. and the largest in Texas, the question of how casinos would shape the region’s economy and culture is gaining urgency.
With Texas still lacking commercial casinos and online gambling, the debate centers on what it will take to sway lawmakers in favor of legalization. Community and business leaders are aiming to build a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits and concerns related to bringing destination resort casinos to the area. The bigger question remains: Can they convince lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow casino development in the Lone Star State?
Sands Corporation Pushes for Destination Resort Casinos in Texas
At a recent North Texas Commission roundtable, Andy Abboud, senior vice president of government affairs for Las Vegas Sands Corp., laid out his vision for destination resort casinos in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Abboud highlighted how Texans frequently travel to neighboring states like Oklahoma to gamble, causing Texas to miss out on significant tax revenue. He argued that a large-scale resort in North Texas, similar to Sands’ Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, could outpace Oklahoma’s tribal giants like Winstar and Choctaw in terms of economic impact.
Las Vegas Sands, led by majority owner Miriam Adelson, is intensifying its efforts to legalize a limited number of resort casinos in Texas. According to Dallas City Council member Chad West, who supports gambling expansion, Sands is eyeing five destination resorts across Texas, with two planned for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The company has already purchased land in Dallas and Irving, signaling its commitment to making Texas a premier destination for both gaming and entertainment.
Sands’ economic impact study, conducted by Rice University professor George Zodrow, estimates that casino development could inject $13 billion into Texas’s economy and create 70,000 permanent jobs. The Dallas-Fort Worth area alone could see a $34.6 million boost in annual tax revenue. Advocates like Mark Cuban believe that integrated resorts combining casinos, entertainment, and sports complexes could make Texas a more attractive destination for out-of-state visitors, further solidifying the state’s appeal on the national and global stage.
While there’s growing support for the idea, getting the Texas Senate on board remains a challenge. Nonetheless, proponents are increasingly framing destination casinos as just one part of a broader vision for integrated resorts, hoping to shift public perception and pave the way for legislative change.
Sourse : https://www.playtexas.com/news/north-texas-commission-explores-destination-resort-casinos/