Texas Lt. Gov.-Elect Vikki Goodwin Signals Support for Casinos

When interviewed by Casino.org in September 2025, Texas state Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Travis County) was considered an underdog candidate for lieutenant governor. At the time, she indicated plans to challenge three-term incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick by taking contrasting policy positions, including a potential openness to resort casinos and sports betting.

A little more than a year after her interview, Goodwin upset Patrick on Election Day to become the first Democratic lieutenant governor of Texas in nearly three decades. With Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseating three-term incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott (R)—another longtime roadblock to gambling—the odds of Texas ending its ban on commercial gambling outside of the state-run lottery and parimutuel wagering could be shorter than ever.  

Goodwin cited the state’s THC ban as another state law that’s unpopular with the public.

“The same goes for the THC ban. Let’s put in some regulations, and then let people live their lives. If the majority of Texans say they want to open the state to casino gambling, then let’s put in some regulations and allow it,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin says she isn’t a gambler but lawmakers should allow “voters to have the say.”

Texas Casino Push

Hinojosa made history as the first Hispanic governor of Texas and the first Democrat to win the state’s highest office since Ann Richards in 1990. While the Travis County state representative has not been as explicit as Goodwin on casinos and gambling, she will face increasing pressure to address the issue as state lobbying mounts ahead of her Jan. 19 inauguration.

Prominent Texas business figures, including billionaires Mark Cuban and Tilman Fertitta, have called for state lawmakers to legalize casino resorts.

Cuban argues Texas needs new attractions to capture out-of-state leisure travelers. Fertitta, who owns Golden Nugget Casinos and has an agreement in place to acquire Caesars Entertainment, contends that destination casinos would bring tourism, business travel, and convention dollars to Texas.  

Legalization in Texas would directly impact Fertitta’s regional operations. He currently owns Golden Nugget Lake Charles, while Caesars operates the Horseshoe in the same southwestern Louisiana market.  

Joining Cuban and Fertitta is Las Vegas Sands, the world’s largest casino operator by market capitalization, as it continues aggressive lobbying efforts in Austin. Sands principal owner Dr. Miriam Adelson and her son-in-law, Sands Chairman and CEO Patrick Dumont, hold majority ownership of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, with Cuban retaining a minority interest. Fertitta owns the NBA’s Houston Rockets.

Public Polling

The people of Texas spoke in wanting a clean slate of lawmakers. Along with the governor and lieutenant governor’s offices, Texans voted in James Talarico, the state’s first Democratic U.S. senator since Lloyd Bentsen won in 1988.

Texans also spoke about casinos and gambling through a 2025 public opinion poll conducted by the University of Houston.

The survey found that 73% of Texans support casino resorts, including 74% of Democrats and 72% of Republicans. The poll reported that 60% of Texas voters would back online sports betting.