Mobile sports betting resort casino bills pass Texas House committee

AUSTIN — Efforts to legalize resort casinos and digital sports betting passed a Texas House panel on Monday, though they face an uphill battle. The vote marks the first time state lawmakers have passed similar gambling bills out of a legislative committee, but Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s recent public comments make the fate of the legislation in the Senate grim. The House State Affairs Committee passed a proposal by Plano GOP Rep. Jeff Leach to legalize mobile sports betting in Texas, along with a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment election, by identical votes of 9-3. The other legislation approved…