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Texas race tracks may get their slot machines if
the state Legislature files a bill this that would make slot machines
legal. The bill could be filed as early as this week. The presence of
slot machines at these venues would create what is known as racinos.
Lobbying groups are pushing for the state to pass a
measure that would allow operators to install slot machines in Texas
tribal casinos, horse tracks, and dog racing tracks. Gambling
proponents would like to keep more gambling dollars inside the state.
“We're losing $2 billion a year across the border,” said Mike Lavigne,
spokesperson for Texans for Economic Development.
“We believe we can reclaim a lot of that.”
The president of Lone Star Park already has big
plans for the racing venue located in Grand Prairie. If Texas legalizes
slot machnes, Lone Star Park intends to add thousands of slot machines
with a $100 million expansion project.
“We think this would be great for Texas,” said Shubeck.
“It would create 53,000 permanent jobs... And
what's wrong with that?”
As usual, there are groups that are completely
against bringing slot machines into the state and they are fighting just
as hard to keep gambling machines out.
“This is about making big money for a few people and taking it out of
the pocket of the sucker,” said the legislative director for Texans
Against Gambling, Weston Warehome.
This is not the first time slot machines have been
proposed for Texas, but with the state government more desperate for
revenues than ever before, slot machines have a great chance this time
around.
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