Las Vegas Sands has hired 89 lobbyists in Texas this year, the most ever.
The political action committee of Las Vegas Sands Corp., funded by its largest shareholder, Miriam Adelson, gave more than $2 million to Texas campaigns over the past year. They’ve managed to win over Republican leadership including Governor Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan, who recently expressed openness to considering full-fledged casinos. Proponents have funneled millions into Texas politics over the past year to support gambling legislation and - after failing during the 2021 legislative session - the winds are starting to shift in their favor. The bill, if passed by two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate, would then go to voters in November elections. State lawmakers have filed legislation to legalize gambling and approve the construction of casino resorts in major cities, an initiative that has bipartisan support, a rarity in Texas politics. Texas voters could soon get a chance to decide whether to bring Las Vegas-style resorts to the Lone Star State, thanks to a campaign by deep-pocketed casino operators and sports team owners.
