Recently, while the Texas legislature was in a discussion about allowing casinos in Texas,  a bus crashed into the midst of the debate.  The bus did not crash into the legislature itself, but its impact is likely to be felt in the debate.  There is one very common argument for expanding gaming – it is used in nearly every state entering into casino gambling for the first time – “We need casinos to keep our gambling dollars at home and to collect the taxes that are going to another state.”  The argument is being used in the Texas legislature this year and the bus that crashed contained Texans going to Oklahoma to gamble.

Texas like most states without casinos, but with casinos on its borders, send lots of its money and its citizens to neighboring states; Texans are very important to the casino economy in Louisiana and Oklahoma.  Nevada is not a border state, but Texans gamble in Nevada; Texans have reputation for being big-spending, high-rolling, wild and crazy guys in casinos; Texas has always been a good junket market for Nevada casinos.

 New Study: Texans Spend $2.96 Billion Annually; Texans Responsible for 38.6% of Total Gaming Revenue in Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico.  A new study released by a leading Texas-based economic group, TXP, shows neighboring states are taking Texas to the cleaners through legalized gaming. Texans are responsible for $2.96 billion in annual gaming revenue in those three states – up $590 million since a 2009 study — and in both Oklahoma and Louisiana represent more than forty percent of their customers.  “Texans are gambling in large numbers in neighboring states, and especially at casinos and tracks close to the Texas border,” said TXP President Jon Hockenyos. “We compiled facility-specific data when available from neighboring states, along with surveying thousands of license plates, to arrive at our central conclusion: Texas gaming dollars are a lucrative prize for neighboring states.” PRNewsire, 4-2-13

As if on cue from the pro-gambling side of the debate, a bus headed for an Indian casino in Oklahoma crashed killing two of its passengers and injuring dozens of others.  The crash is highly likely to be talked about a great deal in the coming days as lawmakers in favor of gaming make their case; what better way is there to make the point?  Texans spend hundreds of millions of dollars gambling in other states and Texas gets not get a dime in exchange.  Texans do more than just gamble with their money when the leave Texas; they buy food, transportation, lodging and other goods and services on their trips.  And while, it would be rather crass for someone to make the claim that casinos in Texas would save lives, I am willing to lay odds that someone will say it.  After all, don’t politicians have a reputation for saying anything to win an election or pass legislation they favor?

Whether or not anyone says anything as tasteless as that, it would be ironic if a sad event like the deaths of two Texas gamblers resulted in the creation of casinos in the state.  But it is possible; the debate takes place every year – the anti-gambling forces carry the day in the end; but the pro-gambling people always think they are gaining ground and the casino legislation will pass sometime.  As I said yesterday, in a tongue and cheek manner, “maybe this time.”  When I wrote that I did not think it would happen this time, but then I had not anticipated such a graphic illustration of the cross-border gambling phenomenon.  I am not saying that the bus accident should influence the legislator or that it should be used as part of the argument – I am simply saying I think it might.  That bus crash just might be the tipping point that opens the door for casinos in Texas. Indeed, maybe this time.

Note: The bus was headed to Choctaw Casino Resort in Oklahoma;  At least two people were killed and about three dozen were hospitalized after a charter bus careened off a Texas highway and flipped onto its side Thursday, drawing a large emergency response as rescue crews struggled to reach victims inside, authorities said.  The Cardinal Coach Line bus was traveling just east of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Irving when it suddenly weaved across the busy highway, struck a concrete barrier and toppled over into the center median, witnesses said. David Warren & John L. Mone, Associated Press, 4-11-12

 Supporters say Texans already spend $3 billion to gamble outside the state, and that casinos would bring 75,000 new jobs to Texas.  A Texas Senate committee is considering a proposed constitutional amendment that would bring casino gambling to Texas. The Senate Business and Commerce Committee heard testimony Wednesday on a plan to bring 21 casinos to Texas and rebuild the state’s horse racing industry…Texas is one of only 10 states that don’t allow at least a limited amount of casino gambling. Religious and some liberal groups oppose gambling on moral grounds and are expected to fight the measure. Chris Tomlinson, Associated Press, 4-11-13