Texas Considers Legalizing Cash Games - Poker Tournaments Legal in Texas - Clonie Gowan and Lyle Berman Testify

The State of Texas is considering the legalization of poker rooms. The House Committe on Licensing and Administrative Procedures held a hearing a few days ago to discuss the topic. At stake is House Bill 3186, which would legalize "cash games and tournaments".

The law would require licensing from the state for all games. The bill is not unlike gambling laws on the books in California.

The Committee's hearing attracted a number of famous professional pokers players who live in Texas. Among the expert witnesses were Lyle Berman, Clonie Gowan, Michele Lewis and Crandell Addington.

There was only one anti-gambling witness. This unnamed individual testified that poker is a game of luck and not a game of skill.

All in all, the lawmakers at the hearing seemed open to the idea of passing the bill through committee. If that happened, HB3186 would reach the floor of the Texas state legislature towards the end of this session.

Despite its pivotal role in the history of poker, Texas has been a holdout against cash games. But the last fifteen years have seen casinos spring up along the borders of Texas, specifically in Louisiana and Oklahoma. It's obvious that Texans love to gamble.

Texas lawmakers have taken notice. They see potential tax revenues go to neighboring states, while their hard line stance has robbed Texas state coffers of much-needed funds.

This bill proposes using gambling revenues for funding homeless programs. The kicker is, the bill allows for a vast expansion into other programs in later years.

I can't wait to see how this turns out. Texas lawmakers don't want to look like they are writing immoral laws. But they understand it's stupid to let Texas money flow across the border to neighboring jurisdictions. It's time for a legislative showdown.

Texas Considers Legalizing Cash Games - Poker Tournaments Legal in Texas - Clonie Gowan and Lyle Berman Testify