Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta backs Texas sports betting bills

Two years ago, Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta struck a $1.6-billion partnership with DraftKings that included further expansion options, should Texas legalize sports betting in the state.

Now, in 2023, new legislation officially filed by state legislators (SB 715, SJR 39) aims to take a large step in that direction by legalizing online sports betting in Texas through a constitutional amendment. If approved by Texas lawmakers, that amendment will be placed on the November 2023 general election ballot for approval by state voters.

To no surprise, in a press release announcing the government bills, Fertitta issued a statement in support of their passage:

Sports betting is a very popular form of entertainment. Sports fans enjoy placing bets on their favorite sports because it brings them closer to the team and puts them in the game. No one wins with an illegal market as robust as the one in Texas, and I applaud Senator (Lois) Kolkhorst and Representative (Jeff) Leach for recognizing the need to address the illegal market in Texas.

If approved, the bill would allow for the legalization of online sports betting through Texas professional sports teams. Each franchise will be able to apply for an online sports betting license. If awarded one, they can then partner with up to one online sports betting operator.

Texans’ Cal McNair and Rockets’ Tilman Fertitta also issue statements in support of legalizing mobile sports betting in Texas. pic.twitter.com/5q29eWLxAe

— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) February 6, 2023

In addition to the NBA’s Rockets, the owners of Houston’s other two flagship sports franchises — Jim Crane with Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Astros, and Cal McNair of the NFL’s Texans — also issued statements in support of the proposed legislation.