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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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