Jerry Jones thinks political shifts in Austin shorten the odds of sports betting becoming legal in Texas.
Last week, Texas shocked the nation as Democrats won key statewide races. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa (D) will become Texas’s first Latina governor and the state’s first Democratic chief executive since Ann Richards served in the early 1990s. Lieutenant Governor-elect Vikki Goodwin (D) pulled off a major upset against three-term incumbent Dan Patrick (R).
James Talarico defeated Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race, putting a Democrat in the seat for the first time in more than three decades. And in the Texas Legislature, Democrats flipped seats across the Dallas suburbs and reclaimed ground in border communities, reversing gains made by Republicans and President Donald Trump in 2024.
The massive GOP losses could be a major win for proponents of legalized sports betting. And Jones, one of Texas’ most influential figures, can be counted among the supporters.
Jones: Time for Texas to Bet on Sports
Jones says he’s apolitical, giving to both Republicans and Democrats. The 84-year-old says his singular focus is the Cowboys, and that the NFL team drives “99%” of his political activity.
Jones’ more recent contributions, however, have leaned heavily Republican. For the 2026 midterms, the billionaire gave $250,000 to Paxton and $500,000 to state Republican candidates.
The blue wave, though, could lead to Texas finally ending its ban on sports betting. Asked about his stance during his weekly Friday interview on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, Jones said he hopes the political turnover results in regulated sports gambling.
Jones said sports betting isn’t legal in Texas, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t occurring. Jones opined that legalizing the activity would protect consumers, generate tax revenue, and protect the integrity of sports.
It has its best result when everybody’s on the same page, and you’re controlling and watching for any of the issues that are involved with gaming. It is a plus in my mind with the best place in the world for sports–Texas–for us to have sports betting,” Jones said.
“When I have something that will help the Cowboys, then I’m all in, and I’ll go all out. I do everything that I can possibly do to make the Cowboys interesting, entertaining, have fans come to the stadium, have people watch us on television,” Jones said.
Texans Have Final Say
State lawmakers in Austin cannot authorize sports betting without first obtaining the people’s support. With the Texas Constitution currently banning sports gambling, the Legislature would first need to pass a bill to initiate a statewide referendum.
If a simple majority of Texans back a sports betting measure, the Legislature would be cleared to set regulations to govern the gambling activity.
Source link
