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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says the Nov. 3 election results could revive legal sports betting in Texas, a proposal that has repeatedly stalled in the Legislature.
Jones, 84, spoke Nov. 6 on Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan. He said he hopes the change in state leadership leads to regulated sports gambling.
Jones makes the case for Texas sports betting regulation
Jones said sports betting already happens in Texas despite the state’s ban. He argued that legalizing it would protect consumers, generate tax revenue and safeguard the integrity of sports.
He describes himself as apolitical and says the Cowboys drive 99% of his political activity. His recent giving has leaned Republican: For the 2026 midterms, he gave $250,000 to Ken Paxton and $500,000 to other state Republican candidates, according to Casino.org. Paxton lost his US Senate race to Democrat James Talarico.
“When I have something that will help the Cowboys, then I’m all in,” Jones said. He added that he wants to make the team entertaining, draw fans to the stadium and boost television viewership.
Patrick’s ouster removes a gambling opponent
Democrats won the state’s top offices. The Associated Press called all three races: In the latest AP count available, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, 52.8% to 45.7%. Democrat Vikki Goodwin beat three-term Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, 51.7% to 45.6%. Talarico topped Paxton, 55.1% to 43.0%.
Hinojosa will be the state’s first Democratic governor since Ann Richards in the early 1990s and its first Latina governor, according to Casino.org.
Democrats also flipped the Texas House, while Republicans kept their Senate majority. Patrick, one of the state’s most influential opponents of gambling expansion, had considerable control over which bills reached the Senate floor. Goodwin has said she supports letting Texans vote on the issue.
Republicans still control the Texas Senate
Texas cannot legalize sports betting without amending its constitution. A proposed amendment needs two-thirds support in both chambers, or at least 100 of 150 House votes and 21 of 31 Senate votes, and then approval from voters. A simple majority of voters would be enough.
Republicans hold 19 Senate seats and Democrats hold 12, so supporters would need GOP votes. Republican senators could also change Senate rules in ways that limit Goodwin’s influence over committees and which bills reach the floor, KPRC in Houston reported.
The path has stalled before. In 2023, the House approved a sports betting amendment, 101-42, but the Senate never voted on it, according to KPRC.
Hinojosa’s position adds uncertainty. As a state representative in 2023, she voted against proposed constitutional amendments on sports betting and casino gambling, and she has not announced a plan to legalize either. Governors cannot veto proposed constitutional amendments, so lawmakers could send one to voters without her signature.
Next stop: the 2027 legislative session
Lawmakers will have another chance when the Legislature convenes in January 2027. Public opinion could help supporters: A 2025 University of Houston survey found 60% of Texans supported legalizing online sports betting.
For now, nothing about Texas gambling law has changed. Whether Jones’ optimism becomes a statewide vote will depend on whether supporters can win over enough Republican senators.
