Texas House Calls For Study On Expanded Gambling

Lawmakers in Texas have been debating back and forth this legislative session on whether or not expanded gambling would be good for the state. In the end, they were not able to come to a resolution on the issue.

Now, after all of the debating, Representative Edmund Kuempel is the sponsor of a resolution that was passed in the House that authorizes a study on the gambling issue. The study would try and answer outstanding questions that lawmakers still have.

"What we have seen in many other states is that these studies are done to reinforce what lawmakers already believe," said observer Joseph Randon, "casino gambling has been economically beneficial to just about every area of the country where expansion has taken place."

The economy has been the fuel behind the gambling discussion in various states. Laws have been changed at a rapid pace since the recession has hit, with lawmakers scrambling to balance budgets that have severe deficits.

One of the reasons that casino gambling expansion has worked so well is because the casinos have created employment opportunities. Temporary work has come from the construction of the casinos, and permanent jobs have been created when the casinos are finally built.

The vote in the House was overwhelming in favor of the study. It passed 98-36, and now the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house will have the responsibility of creating a joint interim committee.

May 31, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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