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Well, it looks like Texas will not be welcoming any new slot machines for the time being.  After a very valiant effort to introduce slot machines to state race tracks and to build all new resort casinos, lawmakers pushing for such legislation in Texas were forced to admit defeat yesterday.  The sand ran out on any such legislation to be considered during this session.

Of the several measures to be voted on in the next two days by the Texas legislation, none of them include any sort of major gambling laws or laws regarding the installation of slot machines at local racetracks.  Simply put, there will be no major gambling legislation consider for this legislative session, short of some sort of creative amendment to existing legislation that is up for consideration.

Lawmakers backing such legislation briefly considered combing casino and horseracing industry proposals.  The gambling legislation being proposed would have created the possibility of 17 all new resort style casinos.  Texas would have also begun operating slot machines from its horse racing venues.  Many states have turned to slot machines in hopes of saving their horse racing industry.  The money making power of slot machines has proven enough to both keep racing venues open and increase racing purses enough to draw big named contenders.

Back in 2002, Indian reservations in Texas were made to shut down their casinos.  The gambling proposals being considered would have allowed tribes to reopen their gambling venues.  The whole plan would require the approval of Taxes residents at the voting polls. 

House lawmakers pushing for resort casinos, racetrack slot machines and gaming at Indian reservations acknowledged defeat Tuesday, when the clock ran out on their legislation.

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