Photo: Greg Askins
LEAD FEATURE: TEXAS
VENETIAN ON THE BRAZOS? Las Vegas Sands sets its sights on Texas. By David McKee
W
e view Texas as a worldwide destination and one of the top potential markets in the entire world. Texas is considered the biggest plum still waiting … in the history of hospitality and gaming.” So said Las Vegas Sands lobbyist Andy Abboud, speaking to the Texas Taxpayers & Research Association. Considering that Sands had recently passed on Japan, to say that Texas is the big enchilada bespeaks confidence. Abboud’s boss, the late Sheldon Adelson, had tagged it as a $10 billion a year market in the past. sportsbettingoperator.com
Adelson, who poured $4.5 million into the Texas Republican Party’s war chest last year, was calling in his marker. He wanted megaresort casinos legalized in the Lone Star State. There have been sputterings of attempted legalization over the years but they usually run into intransigent resistance from both the horse racing industry and the Religious Right. This time Las Vegas Sands is fielding a crack team of lobbyists that includes Karen Rove. The pitch, which continues unabated under new CEO Rob Goldstein, is for a limited number of “destination resorts” that would “blend into the existing infrastructure.” Abboud says 11
