Texas Senator Nathan Johnson defends the gambling legalization proposal, rejecting any influence from Sands PAC.Johnson, who represents parts of Dallas, Garland, and...
The Texas Senate unanimously votes to dissolve the Lottery Commission, transferring oversight to TDLR. The bill moves to the House ahead of the June 2 deadline.
The measure allows the lottery to continue operating but imposes new requirements, including mandatory age verification systems at retail locations. It also includes a two-year sunset clause requiring legislative approval by September 1, 2027, to continue the program.
Sen. Bob Hall, a Republican from Edgewood and the bill’s author, emphasized the need for reform:
“We had an operation that was stealing from the people of Texas. We had an obligation to do something about it, and today we’ve done that.”
The vote follows a 12-year routine review of the Lottery Commission, which will expire on August 31 unless reauthorized. Lawmakers have expressed long-standing concerns about the agency’s performance and oversight.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick praised Hall’s reform efforts:
“They have a two-year lease on life. We’ll see what happens under the new agency.”
The Texas Lottery generated $8.4 billion in sales in 2024, contributing $2 billion to public schools and $267 million to veterans’ programs since 2010. However, critics like Rep. Matt Shaheen, a Republican from Prosper, are calling for the lottery’s complete elimination, and its future now hinges on House approval in the coming days.
