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Slot Proponents Make A Pitch To Texas Lawmakers
Racing industry officials want slot machines legalized at horse and dog tracks in Texas.
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(File photo)
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4 Comments 
AUSTIN (June 30, 2010)--Racing industry officials told Texas lawmakers Wednesday they want slot machines legalized at horse and dog tracks to keep the state's racing business vibrant.
The Legislative Study Group, a caucus of the Texas House, held the gambling meeting Wednesday in Austin at which racing officials said neighboring states such as Louisiana have slots at tracks and Texas is losing out as a result.
They said slots draw customers and build larger purses to pay race winners.
Andrea Young, president of Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, said slots at tracks could generate $1 billion a year for state government.
The proposal would also allow slots at three Indian reservations in Texas.
Consultant Rob Kohler with the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission said gambling preys on the poor and doesn't help local economies much, either.
Latest Comments
The time is way over due for our law makers to pass a bill that will legalize gambling in our state. The days of the "MOB" control is long past at its time we keep the millions of dollars that leaves our state every year. For once the law makers need to make a sound move for Texas and do whats right. Enough people will vote to pass this bill so get it done already. Do what the people want and you might get to keep your job for another term. IF NOT, SEE YA!!!!
As usual, our elected officials are against gambling in Texas, even though the lottery is gambling and bingo halls litter the landscape... Yes, bingo is gambling!!! I could understand them being against it if there was only one state in the union that allowed gambling, BUT TEXANS CAN EASILY CROSS THE BORDER AND GAMBLE! Why should other states get our money?
Be Smart - Keep Texas money in Texas providing jobs and stimulus to OUR economy. Everytime we go to Lousiana to gamble 3/4th of the plates we see are from Texas and we comment on it. Legalize slots & allow regular Casino's to also open up in Texas. There are enough rivers / lakes to allow us to do it like Lousiana, it would be a boon to the economy in so many ways. The Legislature needs to wake up and smell the coffee...
