The executives of Las Vegas Sands Corp. shared that earlier in May, everyone who works at the company’s new headquarters in southwest Las Vegas did everything possible to mitigate the potential negative effect of the news that the proposed piece of legislation seeking casino gambling expansion in Texas was officially shelved.
As CasinoGamesPro already reported, the proposed casino gambling amendment to the Texas Constitution failed to gather enough support in the Senate. The piece of legislation, called House Joint Resolution 155, was seeking to allow legalized casino services in the state but it was withdrawn by supporters after they determined they were unable to gather the necessary number of votes to ensure a passage. According to market experts, the measure could return at the time when Texas lawmakers gather again.
People familiar with the situation have noted that legalization of gambling in Texas will not be easy as long as the Senate is controlled by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, an avid opponent of gambling.
Despite that, for now, it seems that the Las Vegas Sands, which no longer operates a commercial casino in the territory of the US, has enough issues to work on.
The Senior Vice President of government relations at Las Vegas Sands, Andy Abboud, shared that the company’s executives were still encouraged by the progress on the matter since the 2021 session of the Texan Legislature. Ahead of the beginning of the legislative session, the Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban also seemed hopeful that the proposed gambling expansion would be given the green light by the Legislature.
Las Vegas Sands to Face Stiff Competition of Other Gambling Giants Applying for New York Casino Licenses
Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s executives, however, still have big plans, although Texas’ gambling expansion is now out of the picture. Only about a week ago, the company made a major step toward its goal of getting a gaming license in the state of New York – another long-term project that is likely to see an outcome much sooner than the one in Texas.
With an overwhelming majority, the Nassau County Legislature decided to transfer a lease to Las Vegas Sands for a 72-acre piece of land that hosts the Nassau Coliseum. Getting such approval was important for the company because it is now eligible to apply for one of the three gaming licenses in New York that are set to be monitored by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board.
Some proponents of the Las Vegas Sands project in New York were present at the public hearing and were allowed to share their concerns but the competent authorities stated there would be a gambling expansion, no matter if the State Legislature approved or rejected the proposed land transfer. Local officials have also noted that, in case Las Vegas Sands gets the gaming operation permit, the casino would become the centerpiece of the planned $4-billion integrated resort’s development.
As previously reported, the New York Gaming Commission is set to ultimately approve three downstate casino licenses. Some market analysts have noted that does not necessarily mean Las Vegas Sands Corp. would be successful in winning one of those licenses, especially considering the rivalry of three other gambling giants, including Caesars Entertainment Inc., Wynn Resorts Ltd., and Genting Group’s Resorts World brand.
