Sands Corporation of Las Vegas PAC in Texas Holds Over $9 Million in Cash Reserves
Las Vegas Sands, the gaming organization known for transforming the Las Vegas Strip with the building of The Venetian and Palazzo, has been making efforts to legalize casinos in Texas. However, these attempts have encountered significant setbacks.
In 2023, Sands' push for casino legalization gained initial momentum, with casino legislation even being brought to the Texas House floor. However, the momentum collapsed in the following year, largely due to strong opposition within the Republican Party of Texas. Several Republican lawmakers who supported the casino bills lost their primaries or chose not to seek re-election, signaling substantial party resistance.
The Republican Party of Texas remains strongly opposed to casino legalization, reflecting the state's traditionally conservative stance on gambling. This opposition is evident in blocked bills and Senate resistance, particularly to broader gambling expansions like sports betting. The party's stance aligns with public unease about gambling and concerns over potential social harms.
Currently, online and retail casino gambling remains illegal in Texas, with limited exceptions for tribal casinos and state lotteries. Despite mounting public interest and economic pressure due to neighboring states' gambling revenues, the legislature has not enacted reforms.
Dr. Miriam Adelson, the controlling shareholder of Las Vegas Sands and the lone individual contributor to the Texas Sands PAC, donated $9.1 million to the PAC in June, making her the primary contributor. The Texas Sands PAC, the political action committee of the Las Vegas-based gaming organization, has over $9.3 million in cash on hand according to recent financial disclosures. The PAC lobbies state lawmakers to support slot machines and table games.
The next legislative opportunity for considering gambling changes, including casino legalization, will be the 2027 session due to Texas's biennial legislative calendar. Mark Cuban, former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, confirmed that Sands wants to build a casino resort in Texas.
This reflects an ongoing standoff where economic arguments for legalization face entrenched political opposition from the Texas GOP and conservative constituencies. The November 2026 election in Texas will include elections for the gubernatorial position, all 150 seats in the state House of Representatives, and 16 seats in the Senate. It remains to be seen whether the political landscape will shift enough to allow for casino legalization in Texas.
| Aspect | Status | |----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Las Vegas Sands' push for casino legalization | Initial momentum in 2023 but major setbacks after primary defeats of supporters in 2024 | | Republican Party of Texas | Strong opposition to casino legalization and online gambling; blocked bills in Senate | | Current legal gambling in Texas | Only tribal casinos and state lottery legal; online and retail casinos illegal | | Next legislative opportunity | 2027 session | | Financial influence | Sands spent millions supporting lawmakers but failed to protect casino bill proponents |
- The gaming organization, Las Vegas Sands, is renowned for constructing iconic buildings such as The Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas.
- In 2023, Las Vegas Sands kick-started a push for casino legalization in Texas, with the gambling legislation even making it to the Texas House floor.
- However, the following year, the momentum dissipated significantly due to resistance within the Republican Party of Texas.
- Dr. Miriam Adelson, a controlling shareholder of Las Vegas Sands, donated a substantial amount to the Texas Sands PAC in June 2023, making her the primary contributor.
- Despite ongoing efforts, casino gambling remains illegal in Texas, with only tribal casinos and state lotteries allowed, and limited exceptions.
- Mark Cuban, a former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has confirmed that Las Vegas Sands plans to establish a casino resort in Texas.
- The political landscape in Texas seems to be resistant to casino legalization, with the November 2026 election offering a potential opportunity for a shift.
- The Republican Party of Texas's stance against casino legalization and broader gambling expansions like sports betting is rooted in conservative views on gambling and concerns about potential social harms.
