Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has issued the following vote notice for February 26th, 2025
Texas House of Representatives
None
Texas Senate
Subject: Senate Bill 28 (SB 28) – Texas Lottery Restrictions
- Author: State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood)
- Caption: Relating to a lottery game played or facilitated for play by telephone or through an Internet or mobile Internet application; creating criminal offenses.
- TFR Position: SUPPORT
- Background:
- Recent hearings and reports have exposed serious concerns with the Texas Lottery, including allegations of money laundering and corruption. These issues reveal a system that defrauds taxpayers and erodes public trust. The lottery has become a drain on taxpayers and a vehicle for financial abuse and criminal activity. This system functions much like a regressive tax. It fuels gambling addictions and disproportionately impacts lower-income families.
- SB 28 takes a critical step in securing the Lottery by criminalizing transactions conducted by telephone, internet, or courier. Though TFR ultimately advocates for completely eliminating the lottery system, which has consistently harmed Texas families, this bill is a pragmatic step toward reducing its detrimental effects and will help bring some accountability to a system that has long been marred by abuse. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 28.
Reminder: Vote Notices are provided to both Texas state lawmakers and the general public, sharing Texans for Fiscal Responsibility’s position on issues to be rated as a part of the Fiscal Responsibility Index. Notices are provided prior to votes being taken in each legislative chamber.
Disclaimer: We reserve the right to consider amendments to legislation that may be introduced without notice as a part of issues to be rated on the Fiscal Responsibility Index. We will make every effort to provide notice on amendments that are pre-filed.
