Las Vegas Sands launches $2 million PAC to continue its push to legalize casinos in Texas

by Patrick Svitek, Texas Tribune


Las Vegas Sands is doubling down on its commitment to bringing casinos to Texas with a new political action committee that is starting out with over $2 million to spend.

The group, Texas Sands PAC, formed in January and has already spent over half a million dollars across roughly three dozen races March 1, mostly to help incumbents facing primary competition. The PAC filed its first report Tuesday with the Texas Ethics Commission, revealing the recipients — and initial funding of $2.3 million from Miriam Adelson, Las Vegas Sands' majority shareholder. She is the widow of Sheldon Adelson, a GOP megadonor and former CEO of the Sands.

The company made a high-profile push last year to legalize casino gambling in Texas, though its legislation to let voters decide on the issue did not get far at the Capitol, only receiving a committee hearing in the House. Still, the gaming empire has insisted it is not giving up and says the PAC is part of a "long-term commitment to Texas."

"We appreciate the willingness of these legislators to engage in an open dialogue about the tremendous economic benefits, including the tens of thousands of jobs, these destination resorts will create for Texas," Matt Hirsch, a spokesperson for Sands PAC, said in a statement. "We will continue to actively engage local and state leaders over the course of this year and be prepared to come back next session ready to pass legislation that will ultimately allow voters to decide on this issue."

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/24/las-vegas-sands-texas-pac/