Las Vegas Sands Trying To Expand To Texas

Gaming empire Las Vegas Sands is launching a multimillion-dollar advertising blitz to build support for its campaign to bring casinos to Texas.

According to the Texas Tribune, the company will begin airing TV and radio ads Thursday in the state’s biggest markets. News of the ads comes the same day that a state House committee was set to review proposals. Which is expanding gambling in Texas, including one backed by Las Vegas Sands.

In the ad, Texans that “billions of tourism and gambling dollars” leave the state every year for neighboring states that allow more gaming.

“This November, the Legislature can allow Texans to vote to build four world-class destination resorts and casinos. Bringing those dollars back to Texas,” a narrator says in one of the half-minute TV spots. “Let’s boost our economy, create tens of thousands of jobs and help fund vital services like schools and public safety.”

Las Vegas Sands is backing legislation that would let Texans vote on whether to create special casino licenses for four “destination resorts”. Which is in the state’s Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. The ads will air in those markets as well as some others.

The company has spent millions of dollars to hire dozens of lobbyists this session. Hoping to persuade a Legislature that has been reluctant to expand gambling options in the past.

Despite their efforts, they have made little progress in the Legislature so far. The Senate version to a committee but has not been for a hearing yet.

During Wednesday’s hearing in the House, there will also be a discussion of a bill that would allow sports gambling in the state.