Texas Lieutenant Governor Puts Possible Prediction Market Crackdown on Senate ‘To-Do’ List Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a powerful anti-gambling voice in Texas, has raised the possibility of legislative action against prediction markets. One of the more powerful anti-gambling voices in Texas has crafted a"to-do" list for next year's legislative session, which suggests there might be possible legislative action against prediction market operators brewing in the Lone Star State. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has directed a Senate committee to study prediction markets as part of efforts to close gambling loopholes ahead of the 2027 legislative session. Lawmakers will examine how prediction markets may exploit federal law to bypass Texas gambling restrictions, including bets on elections and other events. The move signals likely legislative pushback that, if successful, could significantly impact prediction market operators, especially in a large state without legal sports betting. Those charges, Patrick said, are for committees to study up on before the state's next legislative session begins in January 2027.Patrick wants the committee to “study the sudden inundation of prediction market gambling and the exploitation of federal law to circumvent Texas gambling prohibitions by allowing users to place bets on the outcome of elections and other events,” the charges say. Committee members will also be expected to “examine the relationship between federally regulated derivative markets and state-prohibited gambling” and ultimately “make recommendations to ensure the integrity of Texas elections and Texas sports.”prediction market sitesStill, Texas, the second-most populous state in the U.S., is a few degrees of magnitude more significant for prediction markets than less populous jurisdictions like Nevada,The lieutenant governor has been one of the obstacles to legalizing sports betting in the Lone Star State, and his charges to the Senate committees suggest he is skeptical of prediction markets as well. “When the 90th Regular Legislative Session begins in January 2027, the Texas Senate will move quickly to address these priorities, and many more,” Patrick said in a press release announcing the interim charges. Geoff has been writing about the legalization and regulation of sports betting in Canada and the United States for more than four years. His work has included coverage of launches in New York, Ohio, and Ontario, numerous court proceedings, and the decriminalization of single-game wagering by Canadian lawmakers. As an expert on the growing online gambling industry in North America, Geoff has appeared on and been cited by publications and networks such as Axios, TSN Radio, and VSiN. Prior to joining Covers, he spent 10 years as a journalist reporting on business and politics, including a stint at the Ontario legislature. More recently, Geoff’s work has focused on the pending launch of a competitive iGaming market in Alberta, the evolution of major companies within the gambling industry, and efforts by U.S. state regulators to rein in offshore activity and college player prop betting.Copyright © 1995 - 2026 CS Media Limited All Rights Reserved. If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so.It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly.Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality.Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it.As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.