A survey conducted by the University of Houston shows that the majority of Texans support expanding gambling and bringing casinos to the Lone Star State.

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The state is facing a roughly $1 billion budget deficit and the survey gauged support for different ways of increase the government’s tax revenue. Along with casinos, Texans also supported a tax on e-cigarettes, closing property tax loopholes and legalizing marijuana.

With recent developments, there is a clear pathway to casinos in Texas as the new Speaker of the House, Dade Phelan, made comments that he is at least open to the idea of allowing brick-and-mortar casinos. Although he doesn’t think it will make an immediate impact on the current shortfall.

“It gets brought up in every conversation, and if you want to discuss those two revenue sources, do it through the prism of a long-term commitment because it will not fix the current budget deficit or the ’22-’23 budget issues we have,” said Phelan in an interview with the Texas Tribune about legalizing casinos and marijuana.

Currently, there are many cardrooms located throughout the state, but a change in the laws could allow for Las Vegas-style casinos in a state that is already experiencing a boom as millions have begun to move to the state over the last few years.

These rooms are operating in a bit of a legal grey area. In May 2019, two Houston-area cardrooms were raided by law enforcement. Owners of the clubs were charged with money laundering and engaging in organized crime, but those charges were ultimately dismissed.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. is already in the process of getting a first-mover advantage in the state. Last November, Sheldon Adelson hired a team of lobbyists to push lawmakers in the directions of legal casinos.

Adelson passed away earlier this month, but it appears that the company is still pursuing Adelson’s vision in Texas.

Andy Abboud, the company’s senior vice president of government affairs said as much in a statement. He echoed Phelan’s sentiments, indicating that a long-term business outlook for whatever property is built in the state.

“The possibilities for expanding Texas’ tourism offerings are exciting and we look forward to working with lawmakers this session to present the potential opportunities that exist for robust, long-term economic development and jobs for the state,” said Abboud.

Legalized gambling in Alabama could bring up to $700 million into state coffers annually and create as many as 19,000 new jobs, according to a report released by a gubernatorial committee on Friday.

The Study Group on Gambling, formed by Gov. Kay Ivey earlier this year as legislators appeared ready to tackle the issue, did not make specific recommendations on the issue and acknowledged there could be social costs to gambling.

But former Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange, the chair of the group, said at a press conference on the State Capitol steps that the group concluded the state could absorb the costs.

“Gambling will work in the state of Alabama, and we feel the advantage outweigh the disadvantages in that endeavor,” he said. “There is $600 to $700 million that start and stabilizes growth. There are new jobs created that are twice what the per capita income is on an annual basis.”

The 876-page report adds some new data to an ongoing debate over the size and scope of gambling in Alabama, and whether the state government should get involved with it.

Alabama’s constitution bans gambling, and the state is one of only five in the nation without a state lottery. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, who operate under federal law, operate casinos in Atmore, Montgomery and Wetumpka. Local constitutional amendments allowed electronic bingo at dog tracks like VictoryLand in Macon County and GreeneTrack in Greene County, though the Alabama Supreme Court has narrowed the application of those amendments in recent years.

Attempts to allow a lottery or expand existing gambling in the Alabama Legislature have tripped down an endless flight of M.C. Escher stairs. Several members of the Republican supermajority have moral objections to gambling. The Poarch Band, which has sought a centralized regulatory body for state gambling, has opposed efforts to clarify the legal status of electronic bingo at the dog tracks.

Legislators from communities with dog tracks have opposed a lottery, arguing it could give the Poarch Band access to machines denied to the dog tracks (an assertion experts aren’t certain of).

Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, planned to introduce a gambling bill at the start of the 2020 session. But Ivey said she wanted to get clear data on the impact of a bill before the Legislature passed it.

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“Anytime I ask people how much money the lottery would bring in, they say ‘I think about ….,’' the governor said in February. “We’ve got to have the facts to make a decision.”

More: Gov. Kay Ivey: No tribal compact before she gets 'facts' on gambling

Ivey said in a statement Friday that the group’s research “will be pivotal as gambling policies are being considered, debated and potentially voted on.” But the governor did not endorse any course of action.

“I continue to maintain the final say on gambling belongs to the people of our great state, and if and when I have a recommendation regarding a specific course of action, I will do so in full transparency to the people of Alabama, working hand-in-hand with the Alabama Legislature,” the statement said.

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The report estimated that a lottery would bring in $200 to $300 million a year to state coffers, with tax revenue from five to seven casinos in the state bringing in $300 to $400 million. The report also estimated sports betting would bring in $10 million.

Members of the group also noted that expanded gambling could bring costs, particularly with gambling addiction and potential increases in crime.

“It is important to note, however, that while there are costs associated with gambling, the taxation of regulated gambling activities creates an opportunity to dedicate public funds to gambling treatment, prevention, or education services,” the report said.

The group also recommended the formation of a state regulatory body with the power to enforce laws on gambling, whatever they may be. Strange said they recommended an independent body, with members nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Alabama Senate.

The report laid out five options for lawmakers: do nothing; prohibit gambling but create a state body to enforce existing laws; allow a lottery only; allow a lottery and limited gambling (like sports betting) or allow full gambling. Any move to legalize gambling would require a constitutional amendment, which needs 60% of the support of both legislative chambers to pass, then must win voter approval.

Members of the group did not make recommendations on addressing the legal status of gambling at the dog tracks or how the money generated by gambling should be spent. The money generated would at most be equal to about 10% of the $7.2 billion education budget, and about a third of the $2.3 billion General Fund.

Democrats for years have pushed for a lottery to fund education. Messages seeking comment were left with House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, and Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, on Friday. Clouse’s lottery bill would have split proceeds between pre-kindergarten programs and higher education scholarships.

More: Lottery bill filed in Alabama House, but no date set for vote

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Strange said the Legislature would make those decisions. But he said their research suggested limiting the spending to a handful of areas.

“Some of the more successful situations have only three or four uses of those moneys,” he said. “If you try to nickel and dime to fill holes in general funds, that’s generally not successful.”

Incoming Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, said in a statement Friday he would review any proposed legislation on the matter. Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, a longtime gambling proponent, plans to file a bill this year on the subject.

“I believe it is time to address this issue, and it appears the report from the Governor’s Gaming Commission supports that position,” Marsh said in a statement.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brian Lyman at 334-240-0185 or blyman@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: 'Gambling will work': State panel finds it could bring $700 million a year, 19K new jobs