Sands launches TV, radio ad campaign in Texas to build support for casinos

Las Vegas Sands is launching a multimillion-dollar advertising blitz to build support for its campaign to bring casinos to Texas.

The casino operator will begin airing TV and radio ads Thursday in the state's biggest markets, the company told The Texas Tribune. The news of the ads came Wednesday, the same day that the House State Affairs Committee was set to review proposals expanding gambling in Texas, including one being backed by Las Vegas Sands, and the legalization of sports betting.

The ads tell Texans that "billions of tourism and gambling dollars" leave the state every year for neighboring states that allow more gaming. "This November, the Legislature can allow Texans to vote to build four world-class destination resorts and casinos, bringing those dollars back to Texas," a narrator says in one of the half-minute TV spots. "Let’s boost our economy, create tens of thousands of jobs and help fund vital services like schools and public safety."

Las Vegas Sands is funding the ads under the banner of its new Texas Destination Resort Alliance, which has unveiled a website and social media accounts to coincide with the ad campaign.

The company is backing legislation that would let Texans vote on whether to create special casino licenses for four "destination resorts" in the state's four largest metropolitan areas: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. The ads will air in those markets as well as some others.

Las Vegas Sands has spent millions of dollars to hire dozens of lobbyists this session, hoping to persuade a Legislature that has been reluctant to expand gambling options in the past. The Senate version of the casino legislation has been referred to a committee but has not been scheduled for a hearing yet.

Wednesday's hearing in the House also included a discussion of a bill that would allow sports gambling in the state. That legislation is being pushed by the Sports Betting Alliance, a coalition of professional Texas sports teams, betting platforms and racetracks. The House speaker, Dade Phelan, has been more open to expanding gambling than has Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate and thrown cold water on the idea. Gov. Greg Abbott has said he wants to hear from lawmakers where their constituents are at on the issue.

The Sands-backed House and Senate proposals have picked up some support since they were filed in early March. The House legislation, House Joint Resolution 133 by Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, has since attracted three joint authors: Reps. Toni Rose, D-Dallas; Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth; and Sam Harless, R-Houston. The Senate proposal, Senate Joint Resolution 49 by Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, has gotten two coauthors since it was filed: Democratic Sens. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa of McAllen and Beverly Powell of Burleson.