Texas election results could benefit poker rooms

In the midterm elections held on November 3, Democrat Nathan Johnson defeated Republican Mayes Middleton by 6.5 points and became Texas's new attorney general. Johnson, who was not expected to win, supports a favorable stance on gambling and poker in the state. Middleton, for his part, defended the existing poker regulation.

Texas has some of the strictest gambling laws in the country. Even so, thanks to a regulation known as the "gray area," legal poker rooms operate across the state. The rooms can operate as long as they do not take a rake. Some critics, however, argue that poker is illegal regardless of the business model. Many rooms operate as social clubs, charging membership and table fees. Some clubs, such as The Lodge Card Club in the Austin area, have also faced legal action. The Lodge, Texas Card House and Champions Club are among the state's best-known clubs.

As a state senator, Johnson introduced constitutional amendment proposal SJR 82 in March 2025. The proposal would have allowed Texas voters to decide whether to lift the constitutional ban on regulated forms of gambling. The proposal died in the Senate State Affairs Committee. A significant part of the proposal also aimed to eliminate the gray areas in poker clubs and make the laws clearer.

Johnson's campaign used poker-themed ads and posts, and Middleton was mocked with the phrase "poker face." However, Johnson's receipt of $4,500 from Texas Sands PAC drew criticism. This PAC is linked to Las Vegas Sands Corp, which is now led by Miriam Adelson, the wife of Sheldon Adelson, former owner of the Venetian. Critics note that the company plans to build a casino resort in Texas and that this would require lifting the statewide casino ban. Johnson defended the donation. In an interview with CBS News, he said that even if SJR 82 were adopted, destination casino games would not become legal in Texas. Johnson also said the proposal would lift the constitutional ban on all forms of gambling, no matter how tightly regulated.

Johnson supports legalizing gambling in Texas, including casino and sports betting. In his view, many Texans already go to casinos such as the Choctaw Resort in Oklahoma, so this change would benefit the state. Meanwhile, Democrat Vikki Goodwin defeated former Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick by 6 points and became the new Lieutenant Governor. Goodwin is not a poker expert, but she said the decision on poker laws should be put to the public. Patrick is said to have stood in the way of casino and expanded poker bills.