Comments on: Legalize Poker in Texas, Take 2

By: Lavigne In Austin

Lavigne In Austin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:57:55 +0000

We are working hard to organize the resources to pass this bill in Texas. The budget surplus doesn’t help on its face, but the fact is that most of that money is already spent.

Also, those figures will be re-adjusted for recession come Jan/Feb. We may have a good shot this year. Stay tuned. Pokerati will be a primary source of information about this effort.

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:03:13 +0000

Thanks for information . DanM – how do you think if this bill will pass in texas , will other states legalize poker ?

By: DanM

DanM — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:08:33 +0000

***$11 Billion surplus in the budget. I wonder if this will make it harder***

I think you’re probably right … gambling initiatives tend to have better success during tougher times (and shocking that an oil-state like Texas is one of the few areas that isn’t hurting so much) … but I dunno, the opponents are well skilled at fighting during these times anyways.

I like how this go-round Menendez the legislation around state pride and player safety. So indeed, we’ll have to see how it plays out.

HB 3186 (the predecessor to the current HB 222) had the votes to pass … but it didn’t have the full support of the Speaker, who had the power to give it a better spot on the calendar and make sure the House got to hear the bill and vote on it.

By: DanM

DanM — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:15:23 +0000

here’s the link to Haley’s story in pokernews:

http://www.pokernews.com/news/2008/11/texas-state-poker-legislation-reintroduced.htm

By: DanM

DanM — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:14:41 +0000

***as it appears that the restrictions in the bill open it up for electronic tables***

electronic tables were in the 2007 bill. why do you think Lyle Berman came down to testify?

By: Kevin Mathers

Kevin Mathers — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:29:11 +0000

If I found this right, http://tinyurl.com/pokerintexas is the bill in question.

By: Kevin Mathers

Kevin Mathers — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:24:34 +0000

Pokernews appears to have a more detailed take on the legislation, as it appears that the restrictions in the bill open it up for electronic tables.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:49:00 +0000

The Dallas Morning News reported this morning that Texas anticipates an $11 Billion surplus in the budget. I wonder if this will make it harder to pass any poker legislation, since the state doesn’t need the money.