So Which Way Will Texas Go?

While doing some other research, I stumbled across this Channel 8 story that aired back in November … about illegal 8-liner and video poker rooms in Hunt County. I have long heard of their existence, but have never stepped foot inside one. Interesting — kinda like a poker room, only the patrons seem a bit more pathetic. (At least at a poker table you have a semblance of social interaction going on.)

Anyhow, the Texas Legislature is back in action this month … and according to the story, there are efforts in place to toughen-up Texas’ current gambling laws — making it a felony to run such an establishment. (The gist of the story linked-to above is that law enforcement can’t do much to wipe them out of business when the crime is only a misdemeanor.)

I haven’t seen the bill being championed by Rep. Ron Flynn (R-Canton) yet, and it sounds like he might be trying to tighten the screws just on 8-liners/slots, not worrying about poker. While that’s kinda-sorta a good thing, it also serves as a reminder that the legislative battle is on. Texas’ gambling laws will change. How they will change … is to be determined.

One interesting thing to note is that with the exception of Flynn, there’s no real moral authority spearheading the anti-gambling movement. Instead, you’ve got the Cities of Dallas and Carrollton saying they’d (theoretically) love to have casinos … and people like my Grandmother, who are getting excited about a Church-sponsored bus trip to Shreveport.

So such is the battle. But take a look at how the Channel 8 story ends … and it seems fair to say that some self-righteous political sort will happily jump on the bandwagon and seize the opportunity to establish him- or herself as a real force for the will of Godpeople — making all sorts of assertions that we know are bullshit, but could resonate with voters who see no value in gambling, or at least no direct benefit to them.