In March, bipartisan legislation was filed to legalize sports betting in Texas.
While the bill stalled in the Texas Legislature and won’t be passed into law this year, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is still marveling at the possibilities of if or when it is put into action.
On Monday, Jones was asked on Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket [KTCK-AM] if he could see a day where sports betting in Texas becomes a regularity.
“I certainly know that gambling as it pertains to our games is here. Frankly, it’s been here,” Jones said. “Yes, I do [see gambling being a common thing]... The handwriting’s on the wall. Gambling has been here a long time.”
In what way could Jones see Cowboys fans betting during a game? He gave an example.
“Watch [Tony] Romo. Watch how Romo does a telecast,” Jones said. “Watch him sit there and say, and use the vernacular that he uses, talks about how the safety’s too close to the hash or how the corner’s too far in the middle or over on the hash. And he’ll say the quarterback will see that and you’ll see the ball going in that direction to that guy right there.
“I picture right there millions of people making a wager by hearing that. We’ve got to make sure that the terminology is the kind of terminology that is common, but I can see our game enhanced tremendously by that aspect of it.
“I’m not the least concerned — I’m really not, I know that we would adhere to it — of any abuses that could possibly be involved with that type of thing.”
Jones’ stance is consistent with that of his organization as the Cowboys, along with the Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers and other area pro sports teams helped launch a coalition to legalize sports betting.
The Sports Betting Alliance said it has the backing of several Texas pro teams, including the Dallas Stars and FC Dallas. In exclusive interviews, the alliance, a coalition of these franchises and betting platforms, told The Dallas Morning News it is backing legislation to let Texans vote on whether to undo the state’s ban on sports betting.
“Unregulated and illegal sports gambling is already taking place in the State of Texas,” Charlotte Jones, the Dallas Cowboys’ Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, told The News, according to a statement released by the Sports Betting Alliance. “Legalized sports betting would regulate the industry and generate hundreds of millions of dollars of new revenue for the state which will help fund critical programs without raising taxes.”
In May 2018, the Supreme Court ruled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) conflicted with the Tenth Amendment, which gives each state the right to determine these matters.
Once the door was open, was there any doubt that Jerry Jones would walk through?
Back in May 2009 the NFL owners voted 32-0 to allow teams to partner with state lotteries to put their names and logos on instant tickets. The Cowboys had a deal in place with the Texas Lottery that fall.
Six years later, Jones and New England owner Robert Kraft purchased stakes in DraftKings. In Sept. 2018, the Cowboys became the first NFL franchise to form a partnership with a casino.
The Cowboys are an exclusive partner with WinStar World Casino and Resort, an arrangement that allows the casino to use the franchise’s name and logo in advertising and promotions.
A series of bread crumbs dropped on the way to sports betting. There’s no doubt about Jones’ intention. The only question is when the Cowboys and other clubs in the state will finally reach their destination.
As much as the Cowboys and every other franchise want to tap into this revenue stream to help compensate for losses incurred during the pandemic, it won’t happen immediately. There are too many obstacles to overcome.
But with his comments on Monday, Jones further confirmed he thinks sports betting is in the cards for Texas, it’s just a matter of when.
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