Relating to the regulation of sports wagering; requiring an occupational permit; authorizing a fee; imposing a tax; creating criminal offenses; decriminalizing wagering on sports events.
If enacted, HB 2070 would amend existing laws under the Occupations Code, specifically adding Chapter 2005 dedicated to sports wagering. This allows for the operation of both retail and interactive sports wagering, significantly altering the legal landscape concerning gambling in Texas. The tax revenues generated from sports wagering operators are earmarked for special education services, further emphasizing the bill's fiscal implications for educational funding within the state. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation is tasked with developing the regulatory framework, including the issuance of permits to eligible sports entities.
House Bill 2070 introduces a comprehensive framework for the regulation of sports wagering in Texas, following a significant 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The bill aims to establish a legal, regulated sports wagering market that is expected to curb illegal betting and provide state oversight, while generating revenue for the state through taxation and licensing. Key provisions include requiring an occupational permit for sports wagering operators, a tax set at ten percent on adjusted gross revenue, and the creation of criminal offenses to deter unlawful activities related to wagering.
While supporters argue that HB 2070 will provide a much-needed regulatory structure that benefits both consumers and the state, critics raise concerns over potential addiction issues and the adequacy of safeguards to prevent underage gambling. There are fears that the accessibility of online and mobile sports wagering could lead to increased gambling-related harms. Additionally, some advocates for local governance question whether the state should impose such detailed regulatory measures without allowing cities and communities to have a say in how sports wagering should be conducted in their jurisdictions.