The Las Vegas Sands is not playing around when it comes to bringing casinos to Texas. The company recently launched a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign to support the effort. Television and radio ads will begin today in the state, within its biggest markets.

The ads will launch on the same day that a state House committee will be reviewing proposals for gambling expansion. One proposal of course, was submitted by the Las Vegas Sands.

The Campaign

With the ad campaign, the Las Vegas Sands company is trying to help Texans see why gambling needs to expand in the state. The ads discuss how billions of tourism and gambling funds are leaving the state each year. Neighboring states that offer gaming are profiting from citizens of Texas.

The TV ads are just one and a half minutes long and feature a narrator stating that in November, Legislature can allow Texans to vote on the matter. The idea is to bring four world-class destination resorts and casinos to the state. The ad points out further that thousands of jobs will be created along with funds for schools and public safety.

An Extra Push

Las Vegas Sands created the Texas Destination Resort Alliance, and it is under this group that the company is paying for the advertisements. A new website along with social media accounts were created to further push the ad campaign.

The company is fully supportive of a bill that will allow residents to vote on creating casino licensing for four destination resorts. The resorts would be located in the metro areas of Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.

The ads will air in these markets along with other areas to push voters to the polls if the chance to vote on the subject comes about. Lobbyists have also been hired to persuade lawmakers to review a gambling expansion and help with the effort.

So far, the progress of the gambling expansion measure has been slow going. The Senate version of the bill is in committee and has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.

In the House, the gambling expansion talks also include sports betting. Legislation is on the table to legalize the industry in the state, and it has the full support of the Sports Betting Alliance. This is a group consisting of professional sports teams from Texas, along with racetracks and betting operators.

Dade Phelan, the House speaker, is open to expanding the gambling operations in the state. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, the head of the Senate is less open to the idea. Governor Greg Abbott wants lawmakers to see where residents are at on the issue before moving forward.