After Democrats won the 2026 Texas midterm elections, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said political turnover creates an opportunity to legalize sports gambling in Texas. Jones has long supported legalizing sports betting and expressed this view on his team's radio station.
Where
Texas
When
Nov. 8, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
Jerry JonesDallas Cowboys owner
James TalaricoDemocrat elected to Texas Senate
Gina HinojosaDemocrat elected Texas Governor
Dan PatrickOutgoing Texas Lieutenant Governor
Vikki GoodwinIncoming Texas Lieutenant Governor
Nathan JohnsonDemocrat assuming role of Texas Attorney General
The facts
Texas is one of 11 states that completely ban sports gambling.1
Democrats won Texas 2026 midterm elections, leaving one statewide elected Republican.2
Legalizing sports betting in Texas requires amending the state constitution.2
Two-thirds of each legislative chamber must support sports betting legislation.2
Democrats secured a majority in the Texas House; Republicans maintained Senate control.2
Republicans hold 19 Senate seats to Democrats' 12 in Texas.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Jerry Jones Political turnover might help legalize sports gambling in Texas.1
Jerry Jones Texas is the best place in the world for sports and should have legal gaming.1
Dan Patrick A legal gambling bill would not see the light of day.2
Nathan Johnson He is a staunch supporter of legal casinos and sports wagering.2
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Jerry Jones sees new opening for legal sports betting in Texas
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
As the 2027 legislative session filing period begins, Greater Houston lawmakers have announced proposals to regulate data center development and address infrastructure costs. The San Antonio Water System is also considering policy changes for data centers following local council action.
State Rep. Cody Vasut, Republican from Angleton; Sen. Paul Bettencourt, Houston-area Republican senator; Rep. Senfronia Thompson, Houston Democratic representative and 5 more
Texas elected its first Latina governor, Gina Hinojosa, and first female lieutenant governor, Vikki Goodwin, on Tuesday. State Rep. Senfronia Thompson announced Friday she had the votes to become House speaker when the Legislature convenes in January under the first Democratic House majority since 2003.
Gina Hinojosa, Elected governor, first Latina governor of Texas; Vikki Goodwin, Elected lieutenant governor, first female lieutenant governor of Texas; Senfronia Thompson, State Representative; announced she has votes to become House speaker and 3 more
State Rep. Senfronia Thompson announced she has pledged support from a majority of House members to become the next Texas House speaker. The formal vote will occur when the Legislature convenes on Jan. 12, 2027.
Senfronia Thompson, State Rep., Houston Democrat, candidate for House speaker; Al Green, U.S. Rep., Houston Democrat, attended announcement; Rafael Anchia, State Rep., Dallas Democrat, spoke at announcement and 3 more
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A woman died after being stabbed on North Akard Street in downtown Dallas late Friday night. Police arrested and charged Jimmy Spurger Jr., 54, with murder.
Jimmy Spurger Jr., arrested and charged with murder; Dallas Police, arrested suspect and responded to incident; Dallas Fire-Rescue, transported victim to hospital
The Federation of American Scientists examined data center development agreements in 2026, finding many negotiations conducted behind closed doors with non-disclosure agreements limiting public input. Meanwhile, investment analysts expressed concern that Democratic electoral victories in Texas and other states could lead to stricter AI regulations and data center delays.
$Sources note data centers may receive tax breaks that could outweigh financial benefits to communities, and mention new tax revenue as a potential benefit communities consider, but provide no specific tax effect statement.
Federation of American Scientists, organization researching data center agreements and transparency; The Motley Fool, investment analysis firm assessing regulatory impacts
One person died and three others were critically injured Friday morning in a crash involving four motorcycles near the intersection of State Highway 87 and State Highway Loop 108 West in Port Bolivar. The incident occurred during the Lone Star Rally motorcycle event.
Michael Johnson, deceased, 25-year-old from Cedar Hill; Galveston County Sheriff's Office, investigating authorities; Sheriff's Chief Deputy Melencio Villareal, responding official
A study led by scientists at the University of Texas at San Antonio and the National Cancer Institute found that women in South Texas, including San Antonio, have higher rates of endometrial cancer than women elsewhere in the state, with young Latinas facing even higher rates.
Dr. Edward Kost, Study author and board-certified gynecologic oncologist at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio; University of Texas at San Antonio, Study co-leader; National Cancer Institute, Study co-leader