84R5910 GCB-D By: Herrero H.B. No. 4019 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the operation of a sports betting website and the placement of a bet through a sports betting website; creating a criminal offense. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 47, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 47.045 to read as follows: Sec. 47.045. OPERATING SPORTS BETTING WEBSITE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly operates an Internet website that allows the user to make through use of the website a bet on the outcome of a sporting event or on participation in a competition based on the performance of the players in a sporting event or series of sporting events. (b) A person who makes a bet through use of an Internet website described by Subsection (a) commits an offense under Section 47.02(a)(1). (c) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.