Texas’s Irvinging Last week, lobbyists representing the massive Sands Corporation, which owns casinos, made a presentation to local government leaders proposing the legalization of gambling in North Texas.
The company’s estimate of the economic impact of gambling in Texas, information about its casino site in Singapore, and possible locations for prospective resorts were all included in the presentation.
“They wouldn’t be doing that frivolously, given the level of detail and effort that Sands in particular is putting in,” stated Patrick Brophey, chief operating officer of the North Texas Commission, which assists in planning the presentation event and advocates for North Texas’s public and private interests.
“It’s wise of companies like Sands to start laying the groundwork,” he stated.
According to the presentation, a casino would generate around $6 million in sales tax income and 14,000 employment in North Texas. Local governments want to be ready to receive that funding for their communities.
“If we’re going to have to deal with that anyway, why would we not want to control it through the city of Dallas and also get the tax revenues and benefits associated with it?” stated Oak Cliff representative and Dallas City Council member Chad West, who was present at the meeting. “We’ve got to be prepared for it if it does come.”
He stated that while he didn’t yet have a viewpoint on the subject, he nevertheless wanted to make plans.
Terry Lynne, the mayor of Farmers Branch, who was present for the Sands presentation, stated, “There’s a lot at stake here.” “This is very big business.”
Lynne did not take a stand either, although she did say that she thought legalized gaming would eventually come.
“I really think casino gambling is headed to Texas,” he stated.
However, everyone acknowledges that years will pass before any cards are dealt or bets are won.
“No way you cut it, it’s going to be a long road ahead,” Brophey stated.
According to Brophey, the quickest time frame for a destination casino like the one Sands is proposing to open is at least ten years.
“Some may look at that and say it’s a pipe dream, but others would suggest that you have to start somewhere,” he stated.
The precise location is a crucial inquiry. Although Sands-affiliated companies bought approximately 100 acres of land in Irving last July near Loop 12 and Highway 114, other counties like Rockwall and Somervell were identified on the company’s presentation map as possible places for future resorts.
Google Focuses on Explicit Deepfakes in Search: Quicker Elimination, More Robust Defense for Every User!
highlighted by
West remarked, “I think it’s super preliminary.” “I think there’s something to be said about purchasing land in Irving.”
In any case, according to Brophey, the audience members appeared receptive to the notion of a destination casino resort that is authorized in their neighborhood.
“I’ll put it this way,” he stated. “Everybody thinks they have a great place for a casino.”
A casino company advocates for legalized gambling to legislators in North Texas.
