Tag Archives: gambling

And in case you were wondering about gambling

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

And to complete this impromptu three–parter about the state’s budget situation, we ask the question “What about gambling?” Lawmakers had been warned to expect a shortfall of at least $11 billion in the next two-year budget period. But Appropriations Chairman … Continue reading →

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Dunnam wants Lege to study gambling now

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Jim Dunnam, the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, noting that Speaker Joe Straus has maintained his pledge to stay out of processes that involve gambling-related legislation because of possible conflicts on interest, sent a letter to three … Continue reading →

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The gambling industry is ready for the next legislative session

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Bad budget times are fertile ground for those who want to see an expansion of gambling in Texas. “We are planning to lay out our case again to the Legislature,” said Duane Galligher, a spokesman for the Texas Gaming Association, … Continue reading →

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White: No expansion of gambling

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m okay with this. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White said today he does not support the legalization of slot machines and does not think Texas should legalize casinos across the state. “I don’t think the State of Texas should be … Continue reading →

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Scratch EZ Match

Posted on October 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I can’t say this comes as a surprise. EZ Match is a scratch. The Texas Lottery Commission pulled the plug Friday on the proposed game that would have allowed players to become instant winners by handing their money to a … Continue reading →

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With more gambling comes more problem gambling

Posted on September 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The never asleep gambling industry in Texas likes to point out how much business the casinos in Oklahoma and Louisiana get, which includes a hefty amount from Texans. But as gambling becomes more prevalent, so do gambling addictions. Tribal casinos … Continue reading →

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The gambling industry never sleeps

Posted on August 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I confess, I hadn’t realized the Chron had a Horse Racing Notebook column, but they do and this one wants to tell you just how awesome slot machines would be at the racetracks if only we’d let them have them. … Continue reading →

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Poker bill dies

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Last night at midnight was the first major deadline in the House. Any bill that had not been passed on second reading was officially dead for the session, though some may get reincarnated as amendments to already-approved bills. About three … Continue reading →

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Tuesday Lege roundup

Posted on May 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Some more notes about what has been happening in the Lege… – It looks like the program to test high school athletes for steroids will be scaled back. Texas lawmakers have reached a deal to slash steroid testing of public … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Poker bill coming to a vote

Posted on May 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

HB222, the bill that would legalize poker rooms, is on the House calendar for today, so barring a point of order or some other complication it will get a floor vote. It hadn’t looked too good for the bill’s prospects … Continue reading →

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Omnibus gambling bill gets committee approval

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Brandi Grissom reports. State Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, said today the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee approved the omnibus gambling measure that contains language that would allow the Tigua tribe in El Paso to resume gambling at Speaking … Continue reading →

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The Mayorals and gambling

Posted on April 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

What the Mayoral hopefuls think about expanded gambling in Texas, in particular for the Houston area, is an interesting question, but I’m not sure it’s a relevant one. Three candidates for Houston mayor bobbed and weaved today as they were … Continue reading →

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Seventeen casinos?

Posted on April 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. The chairman of the House committee that oversees gambling said Friday he has strong support for legislation that would open the door for 17 casinos, slot machines at racetracks, and Indian gaming in Texas. Rep. Edmund Kuempel, R-Seguin, said … Continue reading →

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No Tigua casinos

Posted on April 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We may still get some form of expanded gambling in Texas, but at least one form of it is off the table for this session. The Tiguas hopes to restart lucrative gambling operations on their reservation are dead for this … Continue reading →

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CLC gambling update

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Today there will be committee hearings on various gambling-related bills. I am reprinting here an email sent by Suzii Paynter of the Christian Life Coalition, which is one of the leading organizations that are fighting the expansion of gambling in … Continue reading →

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Poker bill passes out of House committee

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I mentioned before that there was a bill to expand legalized poker this session. That bill is HB222 by Rep. Jose Menendez (D, San Antonio). Today it moved a step closer to passage as it was approved by the the … Continue reading →

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“Play to extinction”

Posted on March 31, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In my previous post on gambling, in which I presented the economic case for “racinos” as made by the racetracks, I alluded to the moral case against gambling. Bringing moral arguments into political discussions is fraught with pitfalls, but sometimes … Continue reading →

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How much money would expanded gambling generate?

Posted on March 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Throughout this session, every time the subject of expanded gambling in Texas comes up, along with it comes some kind of projection of how much revenue it might generate. Those estimates always come from the proponent of that form of … Continue reading →

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Two stories about gambling

Posted on March 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron’s David Barron talks to some experts about putting slot machines at horse tracks, which is one of several major proposals to expand gambling in Texas this legislative session. William Eadington, an economics professor at the University of Nevada … Continue reading →

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Reason #437 why I’m skeptical of the gambling industry

Posted on March 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The regulatory agency that oversees horse and dog tracks in Texas is begging for a handout to make it through the end of the fiscal year. Faced with a 14 percent, nearly $678,000 shortfall, the commission that oversees horse and … Continue reading →

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Expanded gambling: It isn’t just for race tracks any more

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an update to the story about the big expanded gambling bill that was filed yesterday. Slot machines also would be allowed at the state’s existing race tracks under the proposal by Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston; Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas; … Continue reading →

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Gambling poll

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Got a press release in the mail on Monday that claims there is broad support for expanded gambling in Texas – in particular, allowing slot machines at existing race tracks and on Indian reservations. I’ll point you to Texas Insider … Continue reading →

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