Former Houston mayor links Fertitta to potential Astrodome casino development

Former Houston Mayor and current Harris County judge candidate Annise Parker said casino gaming could offer a long-term solution for preserving the historic Astrodome, suggesting billionaire businessman Tilman Fertitta could transform the iconic venue into a massive casino complex if Texas legalizes gambling.

Speaking at a recent event hosted by the Houston Association of Black Journalists, Parker said that private investment tied to casino development could save the long-idle stadium from demolition or continued neglect.

"Tilman Fertitta would put the world’s biggest casino in there in a heartbeat, and then we could save the Astrodome and not worry about it," said Parker, as reported by The Houston Chronicle.

Parker also pointed to Texas’ political leadership as a major barrier to expanding gambling, noting that changes in state leadership could determine whether casino legislation gains traction. In particular, she referenced Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who controls the Texas Senate’s legislative agenda and has historically opposed gambling expansion efforts.

Fertitta, who owns the Houston Rockets and operates the Golden Nugget casino chain, has long been considered a likely player in any future Texas gaming market. He is also reportedly in exclusive talks to acquire Caesars Entertainment, further strengthening speculation about his expanding footprint in the gaming sector.

Separately, Fertitta has been active in other Houston-area sports and entertainment investments, including efforts tied to relocating a WNBA franchise to the city.

The Astrodome, once a landmark sports and entertainment venue, has been closed since 2009 and has remained without a clear redevelopment path. At approximately one million square feet, the structure is significantly larger than existing major casino resorts, including the WinStar World Casino & Resort, cited as the largest gaming facility in the world.

Over the years, proposals for the venue have included redevelopment into a hotel, convention center, entertainment hub, museum, disaster relief center, and even demolition.

Previous rumors suggest that, should Texas approve multiple casino licenses, Fertitta would look to bring a gaming venue to Galveston, where he owns the San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center.