The Lone Star State’s commitment to freedom, pro-business, low-tax incentives and commonsense values has positioned Texas as a global economic powerhouse. Texas also prioritizes the safety, well-being and prosperity of its residents. These are some of the many reasons why I’ve spent my career working for Texas companies and why I’m proud to have been a part of the world champion Texas Rangers. Our state doesn’t just set the baseball standard; we set the standard for growth and opportunity.

However, there is one area where Texas is falling behind: sports betting. States like Florida, Louisiana and Arkansas have received billions of dollars in revenue from sports betting, but the Lone Star State has yet to legalize this increasingly popular activity. And the reality is, Texans are already betting on sports.

Unfortunately, Texas’ failure to legislate on the issue has pushed sports betting into the black market and prevented the state and its residents from capitalizing on a potential source of revenue. By legalizing sports betting, Texas can reap the financial benefits for the state’s taxpayers and put the power back in the hands of the people.

With sports betting on the table, we can keep money right here in Texas, where it belongs, potentially generating up to $648 million in the first five years, according to estimates by the gaming consultant firm Eilers & Krejcik. Other states that have already made the move to legalize sports betting have seen these benefits firsthand. New York, for example, has generated more than $2.3 billion in tax revenue since legalizing the activity in 2019, as reported by Play NY. If we had that new revenue stream in Texas, it could be used for many critical programs and issues important to Texans, such as lowering property taxes, funding education and more without raising taxes elsewhere.

With Texans already engaging in sports betting, its legalization will help us move to a fair and regulated environment that Texas benefits from. In this current environment, there is no guarantee that sports betting is being done in a safe or fair way. The smartphone apps that are illegally operating in Texas are often based in foreign countries to avoid U.S. regulations and law enforcement. As a result, they are incredibly untrustworthy, with some even having unfair betting odds.

We must take control of this issue, let the state benefit from the revenue and prioritize Texans’ needs, safety and prosperity. The Rangers, alongside all other major professional sports franchises in Texas, support the legalization of sports betting. We understand that with proper oversight and smart regulation, we can preserve the integrity of sports while empowering Texans to participate safely and legally.

Thirty-nine states have already chosen to legalize sports betting in some form. Texas lawmakers should do the same by legalizing online sports betting this session.

This isn’t just about dollars and cents. Texans should have the right to decide whether sports betting is allowed. That is why I am encouraging Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other lawmakers in our state to support a ballot question on sports betting, giving citizens the chance to decide for themselves.

Legalizing sports betting aligns with Texas’ values of freedom and economic opportunity. It allows Texans to make their own decisions and improves safety while benefiting from new financial opportunities in our state — and, of course, continuing to support Texas sports teams including the Rangers.

I look forward to seeing sports betting becoming accessible in our state and enhancing entertainment options to cement our status as a world-class economic and sports destination.

Neil Leibman is the president of business operations and chief operating officer for the Texas Rangers.

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