Goodwin ousts Patrick as Texas sports betting gatekeeper

Goodwin wants voters to decide, but any expansion still needs two-thirds support in both Texas chambers first.

The hit

Texas gambling bills may reach the Senate floor for the first time in a decade after Democrat Vikki Goodwin unseated Lt Gov Dan Patrick, according to Legal Sports Report. Patrick has served as lieutenant governor since 2015 & staunchly opposed legalised gambling. Goodwin says she wants Texans to decide the issue themselves.

Why it matters

Goodwin’s win changes nothing by itself. Any gambling expansion still needs a constitutional amendment, which requires two-thirds backing in both the House & Senate before voters get a say. Texas has no citizen-petition route either, so lawmakers hold the only key. Nebraska voters rejected online sports betting the same night, a reminder that reaching a ballot is no guarantee of a yes.

The record

Patrick’s tenure	Directed a Senate committee to study prediction markets as gambling earlier this year
2023 session	The constitutional amendment & HB 1942 passed the House; Patrick ruled HB 1942 dead
2025 session	Gambling bills declared “dead on arrival” after House Republican pledge
Paxton & Kalshi	Accepted $12,000 from Kalshi, according to Politico
Senate study	Patrick directed a committee to examine prediction markets as gambling

What happens next

Watch whether Texas Senate Republicans, reportedly meeting to discuss it, move to strip powers from the incoming lieutenant governor, & whether any constitutional amendment clears both chambers before reaching voters.

Sources: Texas Gambling Bills Gain Senate Path After Patrick Loss

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