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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of sports wagering; requiring |
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occupational permits; authorizing fees; imposing a tax; |
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decriminalizing wagering on certain sports events; creating |
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criminal offenses; providing administrative penalties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The Legislature finds the following: |
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(1) consistent with a 2018 United States Supreme Court |
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decision authorizing states to exercise their lawful prerogative to |
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license and regulate sports wagering activity, it is in the |
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interest of this state to authorize a strict regulatory model for |
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sports wagering; |
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(2) a legal, regulated sports wagering market will |
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help to deter unlawful sports wagering and provide for more |
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regulatory and law enforcement oversight over sports wagering, |
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while generating state revenue; |
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(3) any sports wagering enforcement and regulatory |
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structure must begin from the bedrock premise that participation in |
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a lawful and licensed sports wagering industry is a privilege and |
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not a right and that strict regulatory oversight is intended to |
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safeguard the integrity of wagering on sporting events and to |
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ensure accountability and the public trust; |
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(4) the most expeditious way to legalize sports |
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wagering in this state and to strictly regulate this activity is to |
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utilize the resources of the Texas Lottery Commission; and |
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(5) sports wagering within this state will be vested |
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in operators acting under authority of state law and will promote |
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trust and integrity in all sports wagering operations. |
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SECTION 2. Subtitle A, Title 13, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 2005 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 2005. SPORTS WAGERING |
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SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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Sec. 2005.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the |
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Texas Sports and Entertainment Recovery Act. |
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Sec. 2005.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Authorized sports entity" means: |
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(A) a sports entity; or |
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(B) a sports entity designee. |
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(2) "Cash equivalent" means an asset that is |
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convertible to cash and approved for use in connection with |
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authorized sports wagering, including the following approved cash |
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equivalents: |
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(A) traveler's checks; |
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(B) foreign currency; |
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(C) certified checks, cashier's checks, and |
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money orders; |
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(D) personal checks and drafts; |
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(E) digital and virtual currencies and |
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cryptocurrencies; |
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(F) online and mobile payment systems that |
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support online money transfers; |
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(G) credit cards and debit cards; |
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(H) electronic devices with prepaid access, as |
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defined by 31 C.F.R. Section 1010.100(ww); and |
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(I) any other form approved by the commission. |
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(3) "Class 1 racetrack" means a class 1 racetrack |
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described by Section 2026.102 that was in existence on January 1, |
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2023. The term includes an entity that operates a class 1 |
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racetrack. |
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(4) "College sport" means an athletic or sporting |
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event in which at least one participant is a team or contestant |
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competing on behalf or under the sponsorship of a public or private |
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institution of higher education, regardless of where the |
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institution is located. |
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(5) "Commission" means the Texas Lottery Commission. |
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(6) "Covered service" means any service that involves |
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the operation, management, or control of wagers authorized by this |
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chapter, including the development or operation of sports wagering |
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platforms and the provision of sports wagering odds and line |
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information and sports wagering risk management information. The |
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term does not include: |
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(A) payment processing and similar financial |
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services; |
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(B) customer identity, age verification, and |
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geolocation services; |
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(C) streaming or other video and data that do not |
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include sports wagering odds or line information; |
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(D) telecommunications, Internet service |
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providers, and other similar services not specifically designed for |
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use in connection with sports wagering; |
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(E) other goods or services designed to support |
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the operation, management, or control of a sports wagering |
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platform; and |
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(F) other goods or services not specifically |
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designed for use in connection with sports wagering. |
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(7) "Executive director" means the executive director |
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of the commission. |
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(8) "Fantasy sports contest" has the meaning assigned |
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by Section 47.01, Penal Code. |
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(9) "Interactive sports wagering" means the conduct of |
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sports wagering through or by means of the Internet, a mobile |
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device, or any other telecommunications service. |
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(10) "Interactive sports wagering operator" means the |
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holder of an interactive sports wagering permit. |
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(11) "Interactive sports wagering permit" means a |
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permit issued by the commission that authorizes the operation of |
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interactive sports wagering under this chapter. |
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(12) "Key person" means an officer or director of an |
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interactive sports wagering operator who: |
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(A) is directly involved in the operation, |
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management, or control of the conduct of sports wagering under this |
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chapter; or |
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(B) exercises substantial influence or control |
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over the interactive sports wagering operator's wagering |
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activities. |
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(13) "Official league data" means statistics, |
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results, outcomes, and other sporting event data obtained for |
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determining the outcome of tier two sports wagers under an |
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agreement between an interactive sports wagering operator and: |
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(A) the relevant sports governing body that |
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authorizes the use of the data for determining the outcome of tier |
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two sports wagers; or |
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(B) an entity expressly authorized by the sports |
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governing body to provide the information described by this |
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subdivision to interactive sports wagering operators. |
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(14) "Permit holder" means a person who holds an |
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interactive sports wagering permit or service provider permit |
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issued under this chapter. |
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(15) "Professional sports" means an athletic or |
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sporting event involving at least two competitors, at least one of |
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whom receives compensation for participating in the event. |
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(16) "Service provider" means the holder of a service |
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provider permit. |
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(17) "Service provider permit" means a permit issued |
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by the commission that authorizes the provision of covered |
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services. |
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(18) "Sporting event" or "sports event" means a |
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professional sports or athletic event, college sports or athletic |
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event, amateur sports or athletic event, motor race event, |
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electronic sports event, competitive video game event, or any other |
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event approved by the commission. |
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(19) "Sports entity" means: |
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(A) a sports team; |
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(B) a sports organization that: |
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(i) holds in this state sanctioned annual |
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professional golf tournaments as part of a national tour of |
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professional golfers; and |
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(ii) held events described by Subparagraph |
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(i) before January 1, 2023; or |
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(C) a class 1 racetrack. |
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(20) "Sports entity designee" means any person, other |
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than an individual, that is designated and authorized by a sports |
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entity to receive an interactive sports wagering permit on behalf |
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of the sports entity. |
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(21) "Sports facility" means: |
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(A) a facility in this state that is the primary |
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host of: |
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(i) a Major League Baseball, National |
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Basketball Association, Women's National Basketball Association, |
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National Football League, Major League Soccer, or National Hockey |
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League professional sports franchise; or |
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(ii) a sanctioned annual professional golf |
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tournament that is part of a national tour of professional golfers; |
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or |
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(B) a class 1 racetrack. |
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(22) "Sports governing body" means the organization |
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that: |
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(A) prescribes final rules and enforces codes of |
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conduct with respect to a professional sporting event and |
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participants in the professional sporting event; and |
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(B) has corporate headquarters located in the |
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United States. |
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(23) "Sports team" means a Major League Baseball, |
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National Basketball Association, Women's National Basketball |
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Association, National Football League, Major League Soccer, or |
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National Hockey League professional sports franchise located in |
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this state that: |
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(A) leases, subleases, or exclusively or jointly |
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operates a sports facility; and |
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(B) existed on January 1, 2023. |
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(24) "Sports wagering" means a bet placed on sporting |
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events or portions of sporting events, or on the individual |
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performance statistics of athletes in a sporting event or |
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combination of sporting events. The term includes single-game |
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wagers, teaser wagers, parlays, over-unders, moneylines, pools, |
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exchange wagering, in-game wagering, in-play wagers, proposition |
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wagers, and straight wagers. The term does not include: |
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(A) fantasy sports contests; or |
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(B) horse racing or greyhound racing regulated |
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under Subtitle A-1 (Texas Racing Act). |
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(25) "Sports wagering brand" means the names, logos, |
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and brands by which an interactive sports wagering operator |
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advertises, promotes, or otherwise holds out to the public its |
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sports wagering platform. |
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(26) "Sports wagering platform" means an Internet |
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website, mobile application, or other interactive platform |
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accessible through or by means of the Internet, a mobile device, or |
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any other telecommunications service that sports wagering players |
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may use to place sports wagers and participate in sports wagering |
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authorized under this chapter. |
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(27) "Tier one sports wager" means any sports wager |
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other than a tier two sports wager. |
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(28) "Tier two sports wager" means a sports wager |
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placed after a sporting event begins. |
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(29) "Youth sports" means an athletic or sporting |
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event in which the majority of participants are under the age of 18 |
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or are competing on behalf of or under the sponsorship of one or |
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more public or private preschools or public or private elementary, |
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middle or junior high, or high schools. The term does not include |
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professional sports or events that occur under the sponsorship or |
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oversight of national or international athletic bodies that are not |
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educational institutions and that include participants both over |
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and under the age of 18. |
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Sec. 2005.003. COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAW. (a) |
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All sports wagering authorized under this chapter must be |
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initiated, received, and otherwise placed within the boundaries of |
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this state unless otherwise authorized by commission rule adopted |
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in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. |
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(b) The intermediate routing of electronic data relating to |
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Internet sports wagering authorized under this chapter, including |
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routing across state lines, does not determine the location in |
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which wagers are initiated, received, or otherwise placed, |
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consistent with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of |
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2006 (31 U.S.C. Section 5361, et seq.). |
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Sec. 2005.004. INAPPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER TO CERTAIN |
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EVENTS. This chapter does not to apply to: |
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(1) fantasy sports contests; or |
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(2) pari-mutuel wagering on horse-racing or greyhound |
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racing under Subtitle A-1 (Texas Racing Act). |
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Sec. 2005.005. REVIEW OF COMMISSION ACTION. Except as |
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otherwise provided by this chapter, an action of the commission |
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under this chapter is subject to review under Chapter 2001, |
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Government Code. |
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Sec. 2005.006. ALLOCATION OF EXCESS FEE REVENUE. Any fees |
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collected by the commission under this chapter in amounts that |
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exceed the amount the commission requires to implement this chapter |
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shall be remitted to the comptroller to be deposited as prescribed |
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by Section 2005.258. |
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SUBCHAPTER B. COMMISSION POWERS AND DUTIES |
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Sec. 2005.051. SPORTS WAGERING PROGRAM. (a) The commission |
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shall by rule establish an interactive sports wagering program |
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under this chapter and issue permits to operate interactive sports |
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wagering on sporting events as authorized by this chapter and |
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commission rule. |
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(b) The commission may not authorize sports wagering |
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involving youth sports. |
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Sec. 2005.052. RULES. The commission shall adopt all |
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necessary rules to administer this chapter and regulate sports |
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wagering in this state. |
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Sec. 2005.053. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT. The |
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executive director under direction of the commission shall |
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administer and enforce this chapter. |
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Sec. 2005.054. CERTIFICATION OF REVENUES AND EXPENSES. The |
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commission shall: |
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(1) each month certify to the comptroller in the form |
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and manner required by the comptroller a full and complete |
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statement of sports wagering revenue and expenses for the preceding |
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month; and |
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(2) not later than September 30 of each year, provide |
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to the comptroller a full and complete statement of sports wagering |
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revenue and expenses for the preceding state fiscal year and any |
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recommendations for amendments to this chapter that may be |
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warranted and prudent to protect the public interest. |
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Sec. 2005.055. AUDITS. (a) To ensure a proper accounting |
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of all revenue due to this state, the commission and the comptroller |
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each independently shall have the right to audit the books and |
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records of interactive sports wagering operators and service |
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providers that are related to sports wagering activities authorized |
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under this chapter. The commission and comptroller shall |
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coordinate to ensure audits are not duplicative or overly |
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burdensome on the operators or providers. |
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(b) The comptroller may conduct an audit of any taxes or |
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fees imposed under this chapter in the same manner the comptroller |
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conducts an audit of taxes imposed under Title 2, Tax Code. |
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Sec. 2005.056. VOLUNTARY EXCLUSION PROGRAM. (a) The |
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commission by rule shall establish, implement, and administer a |
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voluntary exclusion program. |
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(b) The rules adopted under this section must require: |
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(1) the commission to establish and administer a |
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statewide self-exclusion list that allows an individual to register |
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on the commission's public Internet website for self-exclusion for |
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the period specified in the exclusion registration agreement and |
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requires the commission to regularly distribute the list to each |
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interactive sports wagering operator; |
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(2) each interactive sports wagering operator to |
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provide information on the procedures for individuals to request to |
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be added to the commission's self-exclusion list and for operators |
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to bar individuals on the self-exclusion list from any further |
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participation in sports wagering for the period the individuals are |
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included on the list; |
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(3) except as otherwise provided by commission rule, |
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an individual who participates in the voluntary exclusion program |
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to agree to refrain from participating in sports wagering for the |
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period specified in the exclusion registration agreement; |
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(4) except as otherwise provided by commission rule, |
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an individual who participates in the voluntary exclusion program |
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to agree not to petition the commission for removal from the program |
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for the period specified in the exclusion registration agreement; |
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and |
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(5) a permit holder to make all commercially |
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reasonable attempts and cause its sales agents and others operating |
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on its behalf to make reasonable efforts to cease all direct |
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marketing efforts to individuals participating in the voluntary |
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exclusion program. |
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(c) An individual's registration under the voluntary |
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exclusion program does not prevent a permit holder and its agents |
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and others operating on their behalf from seeking payment of a debt |
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accrued by the individual before the individual entered the |
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program. |
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Sec. 2005.057. RISK MANAGEMENT. (a) The commission shall |
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adopt rules allowing interactive sports wagering operators and |
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their service providers to use systems that offset loss or manage |
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risk in the operation of sports wagering under this chapter, |
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including through liquidity pools, exchanges, or similar |
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mechanisms in other approved jurisdictions in which the interactive |
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sports wagering operator, service provider, affiliate of either, or |
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other third party also holds an equivalent permit or license. |
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(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the rules adopted under |
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this section must require that adequate protections be maintained |
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at all times to ensure sufficient funds are available to pay all |
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sports wagering players. |
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Sec. 2005.058. PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION. The |
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commission may not authorize or allow a person to: |
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(1) operate or to allow the operation of a place of |
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public accommodation, a club, or a similar establishment in which |
|
computer terminals or similar access devices are intended or are |
|
made available for the primary use of accessing a sports wagering |
|
platform; or |
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(2) otherwise advertise to the general public that the |
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place of public accommodation, club, or similar establishment is |
|
available to engage in sports wagering. |
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Sec. 2005.059. AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND WAGERING. The |
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commission, as necessary to protect the integrity of a competition |
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or its participants or as described in Section 2005.060, may |
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suspend wagering on any competition, category or type of |
|
competition, or other aspect of a competition. |
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Sec. 2005.060. LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN SPORTS WAGERING FOR |
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GOOD CAUSE. (a) If a sports governing body believes that the type, |
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form, or category of sports wagering on that sports governing |
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body's sporting events has the potential to undermine the integrity |
|
or perceived integrity of the sports governing body or its sporting |
|
events, the sports governing body may submit to the commission a |
|
written request to restrict, limit, or exclude a certain type, |
|
form, or category of sports wagering for that sports governing |
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body's sporting events. The sports governing body shall provide the |
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request in the form and manner prescribed by commission rule. |
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(b) The commission shall request comment from interactive |
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sports wagering operators on each request described by Subsection |
|
(a) before granting the request. |
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(c) After giving due consideration to all comments received |
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under Subsection (b), the commission shall, on a demonstration of |
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good cause from the requestor that the type, form, or category of |
|
sports wagering is likely to undermine the perceived integrity or |
|
the integrity of the sports governing body or its sporting events, |
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grant the request. |
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(d) The commission shall: |
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(1) if feasible, respond to a request under Subsection |
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(a) concerning a particular event before the event begins; or |
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(2) if not feasible, respond not later than the |
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seventh day after the date the request is submitted. |
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(e) If the commission determines the requestor who |
|
submitted a request under Subsection (a) is likely to prevail in |
|
successfully demonstrating good cause for its request, the |
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commission may provisionally grant the request until the commission |
|
issues a final determination on whether the requestor has |
|
demonstrated good cause. Absent a provisional grant by the |
|
commission, an interactive sports wagering operator may continue to |
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offer sports wagering on sporting events that are the subject of a |
|
request under this section during the commission's consideration of |
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the request. |
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Sec. 2005.061. MONITORING PROGRAM. The commission by rule |
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shall adopt and administer a monitoring program sufficient to |
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protect the integrity of all sports wagering regulated under this |
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chapter. The program must provide for the sharing of suspicious |
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activities on wagering with operators and regulators in other |
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states. |
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SUBCHAPTER C. SPORTS WAGERING PERMITS |
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Sec. 2005.101. INTERACTIVE SPORTS WAGERING PERMIT |
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APPLICATION; FEE. (a) The commission shall issue not more than one |
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interactive sports wagering permit for each authorized sports |
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entity under this chapter. Each sports entity may designate only |
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one sports entity designee as an authorized sports entity. |
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(b) The commission shall issue an interactive sports |
|
wagering permit to an authorized sports entity that: |
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(1) submits a completed application to the commission, |
|
on a form prescribed by the commission, containing the information |
|
required by this section; and |
|
(2) pays to the commission a permitting fee in an |
|
amount equal to $500,000, which the commission must refund if the |
|
applicant's application is denied after deducting the commission's |
|
expenses incurred in considering the application. |
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(c) The commission may issue an interactive sports wagering |
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permit to an authorized sports entity that is a sports entity |
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designee only if the designee is based in the United States. |
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(d) The commission shall prescribe an application form for |
|
an interactive sports wagering permit that requires an applicant to |
|
submit: |
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(1) the applicant's proposed initial business plan, |
|
including the range of contemplated types and modes of sports |
|
wagering; |
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(2) the applicant's proposed measures to address age |
|
and identity verification and geolocation requirements; |
|
(3) the applicant's proposed internal controls, |
|
including controls to ensure that an ineligible person does not |
|
participate in sports wagering; |
|
(4) the applicant's history of preventing problem |
|
gambling, including training programs for its employees; |
|
(5) the applicant's written information security |
|
program, including information security governance and the |
|
designation of a chief security officer or equivalent; |
|
(6) the single sports wagering brand under which an |
|
interactive sports wagering operator plans to hold out its sports |
|
wagering platform to the public; |
|
(7) any personal information the commission by rule |
|
may determine is required for the applicant's key persons; and |
|
(8) any other information the commission considers |
|
necessary. |
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Sec. 2005.102. SERVICE PROVIDER PERMIT APPLICATION; FEE. |
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(a) An applicant for a service provider permit shall: |
|
(1) submit an application to the commission, on a form |
|
prescribed by the commission, containing the information required |
|
by this section; and |
|
(2) pay to the commission an application fee in an |
|
amount equal to $25,000. |
|
(b) An application submitted under this section must |
|
include: |
|
(1) the applicant's background in sports wagering or a |
|
covered service; |
|
(2) the applicant's experience in connection with |
|
sports wagering or other wagering activities in other |
|
jurisdictions, including the applicant's history and reputation of |
|
integrity and compliance, a list of all active or lapsed permits or |
|
licenses for sports wagering or other wagering activities, and the |
|
reason for any lapse; |
|
(3) the applicant's written information security |
|
program, including information security governance and the |
|
designation of a chief security officer or equivalent; |
|
(4) any personal information the commission by rule |
|
determines should be required concerning the applicant's key |
|
persons; and |
|
(5) any other information the commission considers |
|
necessary. |
|
Sec. 2005.103. BACKGROUND CHECK. The commission shall |
|
conduct a background check on each service provider applicant, |
|
including any key persons of the applicant, as required by |
|
commission rule. A background check conducted under this section |
|
must include a credit history check, a tax record check, and a |
|
criminal history record information check. |
|
Sec. 2005.104. GRANT OR DENIAL. (a) The commission shall |
|
grant or deny a completed application under this subchapter not |
|
later than the 90th day after the date the commission receives the |
|
application. The commission's decision is final and not |
|
appealable, except as otherwise required under state law. |
|
(b) The commission may accept a license, permit, or any |
|
other authorization to operate sports wagering issued by another |
|
jurisdiction that the commission specifically determines has |
|
similar permitting requirements as evidence that the applicant |
|
meets the interactive sports wagering operator requirements. The |
|
commission may accept another jurisdiction's or an approved third |
|
party's testing of the interactive sports wagering platform as |
|
evidence that the platform meets any requirements mandated by |
|
commission rule. |
|
(c) The commission shall grant a permit to an applicant for |
|
a service provider permit unless: |
|
(1) the commission reasonably believes: |
|
(A) the applicant will be unable to satisfy the |
|
duties of a service provider under this chapter; |
|
(B) the applicant or a key person of the |
|
applicant is not of good character, honesty, or integrity; or |
|
(C) the applicant's or a key person of the |
|
applicant's prior activities, criminal record, reputation, or |
|
associations are likely to: |
|
(i) pose a threat to the public interest; |
|
(ii) impede the regulation of sports |
|
wagering; or |
|
(iii) promote unfair or illegal activities |
|
in the conduct of sports wagering; |
|
(2) the applicant or a key person of the applicant |
|
knowingly fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter or a |
|
commission rule under this chapter; |
|
(3) the applicant or a key person of the applicant has |
|
been previously convicted of a felony, a crime of moral turpitude, |
|
or any criminal offense involving dishonesty or breach of trust in |
|
the 10 years preceding the date the application is submitted; |
|
(4) the applicant's or a key person of the applicant's |
|
license, registration, or permit to conduct sports wagering, other |
|
forms of gambling activity, or a covered service issued by another |
|
state has been revoked; or |
|
(5) the applicant defaults in payment of any |
|
obligation or debt due to this state. |
|
Sec. 2005.105. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Notwithstanding |
|
any other law, the information an applicant submits under this |
|
subchapter is confidential and exempt from public disclosure. |
|
Sec. 2005.106. PERMIT RENEWAL. (a) Except as provided by |
|
Subsection (b), a permit issued under this chapter expires on the |
|
third anniversary of the date of issuance. |
|
(b) If the permit application is submitted by a designee of |
|
a sports entity or the sports entity's affiliate, a permit under |
|
this chapter expires on the earlier of: |
|
(1) the third anniversary of the date of issuance; or |
|
(2) the expiration date of any contract between the |
|
sports entity or an affiliate of the sports entity and the designee |
|
of the sports entity or affiliate authorizing the designee to |
|
manage and operate the sports entity's or affiliate's sports |
|
wagering activities. |
|
(c) At least 60 days before the expiration date of a permit, |
|
a permit holder may renew a permit by submitting a renewal |
|
application on a form prescribed by the commission. The permit |
|
holder must include a renewal fee in an amount equal to: |
|
(1) $100,000 for renewal of an interactive sports |
|
wagering permit; or |
|
(2) $10,000 for renewal of a service provider permit. |
|
(d) The commission may deny an application for permit |
|
renewal if the commission finds grounds for denial as provided in |
|
Section 2005.101 for an interactive sports wagering permit or |
|
Section 2005.102 for a service provider permit. |
|
SUBCHAPTER D. SPORTS WAGERING OPERATORS |
|
Sec. 2005.151. INTERACTIVE SPORTS WAGERING OPERATOR. An |
|
interactive sports wagering operator or a service provider on |
|
behalf of an interactive sports wagering operator may conduct |
|
statewide interactive sports wagering. |
|
Sec. 2005.152. DUTIES OF INTERACTIVE SPORTS WAGERING |
|
OPERATORS. (a) An interactive sports wagering operator and its |
|
service provider shall implement reasonable measures to: |
|
(1) ensure that only individuals physically located in |
|
this state or as otherwise authorized by commission rule may place a |
|
wager through its sports wagering platform; |
|
(2) protect the confidential information of players |
|
using its sports wagering platform; |
|
(3) prevent wagering on events that are prohibited |
|
events, as provided by this chapter or commission rule; |
|
(4) prevent individuals from placing wagers as agents |
|
or proxies for other individuals; |
|
(5) allow individuals to restrict themselves from |
|
placing wagers through the sports wagering platform under the |
|
voluntary exclusion program established under Section 2005.056; |
|
(6) establish procedures to detect suspicious or |
|
illegal wagering activity, including measures to report suspicious |
|
or illegal wagering activity to the commission; and |
|
(7) provide for the withholding or reporting of income |
|
tax of players as required by applicable state or federal law. |
|
(b) An interactive sports wagering operator shall maintain |
|
until the third anniversary of the date of a sporting event records |
|
of: |
|
(1) all sports wagers placed on the event, including: |
|
(A) the identity of the player; |
|
(B) the amount and type of wager; |
|
(C) the time and location of the wager, including |
|
an Internet Protocol address, if available; and |
|
(D) the outcome of the wager; and |
|
(2) suspicious or illegal wagering activity. |
|
(c) An interactive sports wagering operator must disclose |
|
the records described in Subsection (b) to the commission on |
|
request. |
|
(d) If a sports governing body notifies the commission that |
|
real-time information sharing for wagers placed on its sporting |
|
events is necessary and desirable, interactive sports wagering |
|
operators must share with that sports governing body or its |
|
designee in real time, at the account level: |
|
(1) anonymized information regarding an individual |
|
who places a wager; |
|
(2) the amount and type of wager; |
|
(3) the time the wager was placed; |
|
(4) the location of the wager, including the Internet |
|
Protocol address if applicable; |
|
(5) the outcome of the wager; and |
|
(6) records of abnormal wagering activity. |
|
(e) A sports governing body may use the information |
|
described by Subsection (d) solely for sports wagering integrity |
|
purposes. |
|
(f) In advertising its sports wagering platform, an |
|
interactive sports wagering operator must ensure that its |
|
advertisements: |
|
(1) are not targeted to individuals under the age of |
|
21; |
|
(2) disclose the identity of the interactive sports |
|
wagering operator's brand; |
|
(3) provide information about or links to resources |
|
related to problem gambling and prevention, including a toll-free |
|
crisis help telephone number approved by the commission; and |
|
(4) are not misleading to a reasonable individual. |
|
(g) For purposes of Subsection (d), "real-time information |
|
sharing" means the sharing of information at a commercially |
|
reasonable periodic interval of not less than once every 72 hours. |
|
Sec. 2005.153. ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERACTIVE ACCOUNTS. (a) |
|
An interactive sports wagering operator: |
|
(1) is responsible for verifying the identity of a |
|
sports wagering player and ensuring that the player is at least 21 |
|
years of age; and |
|
(2) may remotely verify the identity of a sports |
|
wagering player in order to establish the player's interactive |
|
sports wagering account. |
|
(b) A sports wagering player may not establish more than one |
|
account with any interactive sports wagering operator. |
|
(c) The following individuals are prohibited from placing |
|
sports wagers: |
|
(1) any individual under 21 years of age; |
|
(2) any individual who has requested and has not |
|
revoked exclusion from sports wagering under the voluntary |
|
exclusion program established under Section 2005.056, or who |
|
otherwise has been adjudicated by law as prohibited from engaging |
|
in sports wagering; |
|
(3) any member, officer, or employee of the |
|
commission; |
|
(4) any employee or key person of a permit holder for |
|
that permit holder's sports wagering platform; |
|
(5) any participant, including an athlete, coach, |
|
trainer, referee, or other official, and any employee or other |
|
staff of a participant, in a competition that is the subject of |
|
sports wagering under this chapter for the league with which the |
|
participant is affiliated; and |
|
(6) any employee or other staff of a sports governing |
|
body or authorizing league or similar sponsoring organization for a |
|
competition subject to sports wagering under this chapter for the |
|
sports governing body, authorizing league, or similar sponsoring |
|
organization with which the individual is employed or otherwise |
|
affiliated. |
|
(d) An interactive sports wagering operator and, as |
|
applicable, the operator's service providers may not accept a |
|
sports wager from an individual described by Subsection (c)(5) or |
|
(6) if the interactive sports wagering operator or, as applicable, |
|
the operator's service provider, has notice or actual knowledge |
|
that the individual is prohibited from placing a sports wager under |
|
those subsections. |
|
(e) An interactive sports wagering account must: |
|
(1) be established in the name or on behalf of a player |
|
who is a natural person and may not be in the name of any |
|
beneficiary, custodian, joint trust, corporation, partnership, or |
|
any other entity; |
|
(2) be established: |
|
(A) through the interactive sports wagering |
|
operator's sports wagering platform or a specialized Internet |
|
website or other interface established for that purpose; or |
|
(B) by any other means approved by the |
|
commission; and |
|
(3) include terms that: |
|
(A) prohibit the transfer or sale of an account |
|
or account balance to another registered player; |
|
(B) prohibit the use of any virtual private |
|
network or other technology that may obscure or falsify the |
|
player's physical location; |
|
(C) prohibit any form of collusion, cheating, or |
|
other unlawful activity; |
|
(D) affirm that the player meets all eligibility |
|
requirements for registration; and |
|
(E) authorize the provision of notices and other |
|
required communications either through a designated mobile or other |
|
interface or to an electronic mail address designated by the |
|
player. |
|
(f) The interactive sports wagering operator may allow for |
|
the establishment, verification, and funding of an account |
|
remotely, provided the operator has in place measures sufficient to |
|
remotely verify the age and identity of the player. |
|
(g) An interactive sports wagering operator may suspend or |
|
terminate an account: |
|
(1) if the operator determines the player has provided |
|
any false or misleading information in connection with the opening |
|
of the account or has engaged in cheating or other unlawful conduct; |
|
(2) if the player is or has been barred from placing |
|
sports wagers in this state; |
|
(3) if the player is or otherwise becomes ineligible |
|
under this chapter; |
|
(4) if the interactive sports wagering operator |
|
determines it lacks sufficient information to verify the age and |
|
eligibility of the player; or |
|
(5) for any other reason at the sole discretion of the |
|
operator, provided that reason is not based on a player's actual or |
|
believed sex, gender identity, race, religion, national origin, |
|
sexual orientation, or other lawfully protected characteristic. |
|
(h) On termination for any reason other than the reason |
|
described in Subsection (g)(1), an interactive sports wagering |
|
operator must provide the player sufficient time and access to |
|
withdraw any funds remaining in the account. |
|
Sec. 2005.154. BRAND LIMITATION. An interactive sports |
|
wagering operator may hold out the operator's sports wagering |
|
platform to the public under only one sports wagering brand. |
|
Sec. 2005.155. ASSIGNMENT OF SPORTS WAGERING OPERATIONS TO |
|
THIRD PARTY. (a) Subject to commission approval, an interactive |
|
sports wagering operator may assign the operator's interactive |
|
sports wagering operations to a third-party designee to manage and |
|
operate the operator's sports wagering activities. |
|
(b) A third-party designee described by Subsection (a) must |
|
submit to the commission the information required for an applicant |
|
under Subchapter C in accordance with procedures prescribed by |
|
commission rule. |
|
Sec. 2005.156. FANTASY SPORTS CONTESTS. An interactive |
|
sports wagering operator may offer fantasy sports contests to the |
|
extent those contests are authorized by law. |
|
Sec. 2005.157. RISK MANAGEMENT MEASURES. An interactive |
|
sports wagering operator may engage in risk management measures, |
|
commonly known as layoff wagering, in the ordinary course of |
|
business. |
|
Sec. 2005.158. DATA SOURCES. (a) An interactive sports |
|
wagering operator is not required to use official league data in |
|
determining the result of a tier one sports wager. |
|
(b) A sports governing body may notify the commission in |
|
accordance with forms and procedures prescribed by the commission |
|
of the governing body's determination that an interactive sports |
|
wagering operator must use official league data to settle tier two |
|
sports wagers. The commission shall notify each interactive sports |
|
wagering operator of the sports governing body's notification not |
|
later than the fifth day after the date the commission receives the |
|
notification. If a sports governing body does not notify the |
|
commission of its determination to provide official league data, an |
|
operator is not required to use official league data in determining |
|
the result of a tier two sports wager on a professional sports event |
|
of the league governed by the sports governing body. |
|
(c) Not later than the 60th day after the date the |
|
commission notifies each interactive sports wagering operator as |
|
required by Subsection (b), a permit holder may only use official |
|
league data to determine the results of tier two sports wagers on |
|
professional sports events of the league governed by the sports |
|
governing body, unless: |
|
(1) the sports governing body or its applicable |
|
designee is unable to provide a feed, on commercially reasonable |
|
terms, of official league data to determine the results of a tier |
|
two sports wager, in which case an operator is not required to use |
|
official league data in determining the results of tier two sports |
|
wagers until the data feed becomes available on commercially |
|
reasonable terms; or |
|
(2) an operator demonstrates to the commission that |
|
the sports governing body has not provided or offered to provide a |
|
feed of official league data to the operator on commercially |
|
reasonable terms. |
|
(d) The commission may consider the following nonexclusive |
|
factors in evaluating whether a sports governing body has provided |
|
or offered to provide a feed of official league data on commercially |
|
reasonable terms: |
|
(1) the availability of a sports governing body's |
|
official league data for tier two sports wagers from more than one |
|
authorized source; |
|
(2) market information, including price, terms, and |
|
conditions, regarding the purchase, in this state and other states, |
|
by interactive sports wagering operators of comparable data for the |
|
purpose of settling sports wagers; |
|
(3) the nature and quantity of the data, including the |
|
quality and complexity of the process used for collecting the data; |
|
and |
|
(4) the extent to which sports governing bodies or |
|
their designees have made data used to settle tier two sports wagers |
|
available to sports wagering operators and any terms and conditions |
|
relating to the use of that data. |
|
(e) During any period in which the commission is determining |
|
whether official league data is available on commercially |
|
reasonable terms under Subsections (c) and (d), an interactive |
|
sports wagering operator is not required to use official league |
|
data in determining the results of any tier two sports wagers. The |
|
commission shall make a determination under Subsections (c) and (d) |
|
not later than the 60th day after the date an operator notifies the |
|
commission that it desires to demonstrate that a sports governing |
|
body has not provided or offered to provide a feed of official |
|
league data to the operator on commercially reasonable terms. If |
|
the commission determines that the requesting operator is likely to |
|
fail in successfully making the demonstration under this |
|
subsection, the commission may provisionally deny the request until |
|
the commission makes a final determination as to whether the |
|
requesting operator has made the demonstration. |
|
Sec. 2005.159. COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS. (a) Any sports |
|
governing body may enter into a commercial agreement with an |
|
interactive sports wagering operator under which the sports |
|
governing body may share in the amounts wagered or revenues derived |
|
from sports wagering on the sports governing body's sporting |
|
events. |
|
(b) A sports governing body is not required to obtain a |
|
permit or other approval from the commission to lawfully accept |
|
amounts or revenues described by Subsection (a). |
|
SUBCHAPTER E. COMPETITION INTEGRITY: PROHIBITED EVENTS; |
|
INVESTIGATIONS; PROMPT REPORTING |
|
Sec. 2005.201. PROHIBITION ON YOUTH SPORTS WAGERING. A |
|
person may not place or accept a sports wager on youth sports. |
|
Sec. 2005.202. COOPERATION WITH INVESTIGATIONS. The |
|
commission and interactive sports wagering operators shall |
|
cooperate with investigations conducted by sports governing bodies |
|
or law enforcement agencies, including by providing or facilitating |
|
the provision of account-level wagering information and audio or |
|
video files relating to individuals placing wagers. |
|
Sec. 2005.203. REQUIRED REPORT TO COMMISSION. (a) An |
|
interactive sports wagering operator must promptly report to the |
|
commission any information relating to: |
|
(1) criminal or disciplinary proceedings commenced |
|
against the interactive sports wagering operator in connection with |
|
its operations; |
|
(2) abnormal wagering activity or patterns that may |
|
indicate a concern with the integrity of a sporting event; |
|
(3) any potential breach of the relevant sports |
|
governing body's internal rules and codes of conduct pertaining to |
|
sports wagering, to the extent the operator has actual knowledge of |
|
the potential breach; |
|
(4) any other conduct that corrupts a wagering outcome |
|
of a sporting event for purposes of financial gain, including match |
|
fixing; and |
|
(5) suspicious or illegal wagering activities, |
|
including the use of funds derived from illegal activity, the |
|
placement of wagers to conceal or launder funds derived from |
|
illegal activity, the use of agents to place wagers, and the use of |
|
false identification in placing wagers. |
|
(b) Interactive sports wagering operators must promptly |
|
report information relating to conduct described in Subsections |
|
(a)(2), (3), and (4) to the relevant sports governing body. |
|
Sec. 2005.204. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN REPORTED |
|
INFORMATION. (a) An interactive sports wagering operator must |
|
maintain the confidentiality of information provided by a sports |
|
governing body to the operator unless disclosure is required by |
|
this chapter, the commission, other law, or court order. |
|
(b) The commission, sports governing bodies, and |
|
interactive sports wagering operators must maintain the |
|
confidentiality of all information relating to conduct described in |
|
Sections 2005.203(a)(2), (3), and (4) unless disclosure is required |
|
by this chapter, other law, or court order, or as authorized by the |
|
relevant sports governing body. |
|
(c) The commission must maintain the confidentiality of all |
|
information provided by sports wagering operators for compliance |
|
purposes unless disclosure is required by this chapter, other law, |
|
or court order. |
|
(d) The commission and an interactive sports wagering |
|
operator may disclose confidential information to another |
|
interactive sports wagering operator, a sports governing body, a |
|
sports wagering regulating entity, a law enforcement entity, or |
|
other party for the purpose of preventing or investigating conduct |
|
that corrupts or could corrupt the outcome of a sporting event, |
|
including match fixing. |
|
SUBCHAPTER F. WAGERING REVENUE TAX |
|
Sec. 2005.251. IMPOSITION OF TAX. A tax is imposed on the |
|
adjusted gross wagering revenue of an interactive sports wagering |
|
operator. |
|
Sec. 2005.252. COMPUTATION OF ADJUSTED GROSS WAGERING |
|
REVENUE; LOSS CARRYFORWARD. (a) For purposes of the tax imposed |
|
under this subchapter, an interactive sports wagering operator |
|
shall compute the operator's adjusted gross wagering revenue for a |
|
reporting period by determining the total amount of wagering |
|
revenue the operator received from all sports wagers authorized |
|
under this chapter, excluding wagers placed using free bets or |
|
promotional credits, during the period and subtracting the |
|
following for the period: |
|
(1) all cash or cash equivalents the operator paid as |
|
winnings to players; |
|
(2) the actual cost paid by the operator for any |
|
personal property the operator distributed to a player as a result |
|
of a sports wager authorized under this chapter; |
|
(3) uncollectible receivables, not to exceed four |
|
percent of the amount of gross wagering revenue except as provided |
|
by Subsection (b); |
|
(4) any federal excise tax payments on sports wagers |
|
the operator remitted to the federal government; and |
|
(5) amounts returned to an authorized participant due |
|
to technical malfunction or due to concerns regarding the integrity |
|
of the wager or the sporting event. |
|
(b) The commission may increase the percentage of gross |
|
wagering revenue that an interactive sports wagering operator may |
|
deduct as uncollectible receivables under Subsection (a)(3) on a |
|
showing that a greater percentage is reasonable and warranted. |
|
(c) An interactive sports wagering operator that has an |
|
adjusted gross wagering revenue for a reporting period computed |
|
under Subsection (a) that is less than zero may carry that amount |
|
forward and deduct the amount from the operator's adjusted gross |
|
wagering revenue for one or more of the succeeding 12 reporting |
|
periods before determining the amount of tax due under this |
|
subchapter for the applicable reporting period. |
|
Sec. 2005.253. RATE OF TAX. The rate of the tax imposed |
|
under this subchapter is 10 percent of the adjusted gross wagering |
|
revenue for a reporting period, subject to Section 2005.252(c). |
|
Sec. 2005.254. PAYMENT OF TAX. The tax imposed under this |
|
subchapter is due and payable to the comptroller on or before the |
|
20th day of the month following the month in which the adjusted |
|
gross wagering revenue on which the tax is based is received. |
|
Sec. 2005.255. TAX REPORT. (a) A person required to pay a |
|
tax under this subchapter shall file a tax report with the |
|
comptroller on a form prescribed by the comptroller. The tax report |
|
is due on the date the tax is due under Section 2005.254. |
|
(b) The tax report must include separate statements of: |
|
(1) the amount of the gross wagering revenue the |
|
person received from all sports wagers authorized under this |
|
chapter during the reporting period; |
|
(2) the total amount of cash or cash equivalents the |
|
person paid as winnings to players during the reporting period; |
|
(3) the amount of the actual cost the person paid |
|
during the reporting period for any personal property the person |
|
distributed to a player as a result of a sports wager authorized |
|
under this chapter; |
|
(4) the cash value of any bonuses or promotional |
|
credits provided to players that are returned to the person in the |
|
form of a deposit or wager during the reporting period; |
|
(5) the person's total amount of uncollectible |
|
receivables during the reporting period as determined under Section |
|
2005.252; |
|
(6) the amount of any federal excise tax payments on |
|
sports wagers the person remitted to the federal government during |
|
the reporting period; and |
|
(7) the total negative amount of adjusted gross |
|
wagering revenue that is eligible to be deducted under Section |
|
2005.252(c), the amount of that revenue the person actually |
|
deducted for the report in determining the tax due, and the |
|
remaining amount of that revenue that is eligible to be deducted on |
|
a subsequent report. |
|
Sec. 2005.256. RECORDS. A person required to pay a tax |
|
under this subchapter shall keep a record of: |
|
(1) the amounts the person is required to report under |
|
Section 2005.255; and |
|
(2) any other information the comptroller requires. |
|
Sec. 2005.257. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT; RULES. (a) |
|
The comptroller shall administer, collect, and enforce the tax |
|
imposed under this subchapter in the manner the comptroller |
|
administers, collects, and enforces taxes imposed under Title 2, |
|
Tax Code, except as otherwise provided by this subchapter. |
|
(b) The comptroller shall adopt rules providing for the |
|
manner in which a person required to pay a tax under this subchapter |
|
may file an amended tax report for a reporting period or otherwise |
|
account for errors or omissions in a tax report filed under this |
|
subchapter. The comptroller may adopt other rules as necessary to |
|
implement this subchapter. |
|
Sec. 2005.258. ALLOCATION OF TAX REVENUE AND EXCESS FEE |
|
REVENUE. The comptroller shall deposit the net revenue from the tax |
|
collected under this subchapter and the excess fee revenue |
|
collected under Section 2005.006 as follows: |
|
(1) two percent to the problem gambling and addiction |
|
grant fund established under Section 2005.259; and |
|
(2) the remainder to the general revenue fund to be |
|
appropriated to the Texas Education Agency for use in providing |
|
property tax relief through the reduction of the state compression |
|
percentage, as defined by Section 48.255, Education Code. |
|
Sec. 2005.259. PROBLEM GAMBLING AND ADDICTION GRANT FUND. |
|
(a) The problem gambling and addiction grant fund is established as |
|
an account in the general revenue fund. |
|
(b) Money credited to the fund may be used only for awarding |
|
grants under this section. The fund shall be administered in |
|
accordance with this section. |
|
(c) An expenditure from the problem gambling and addiction |
|
grant fund shall be made in accordance with the General |
|
Appropriations Act. |
|
(d) From funds appropriated as described by Subsection (c), |
|
the commission shall administer a grant program to provide: |
|
(1) assistance for the direct treatment of persons |
|
diagnosed as suffering from pathological gambling and other |
|
addictive behaviors; and |
|
(2) funding for research regarding the impact of |
|
gambling on residents of this state. |
|
(e) Research grants awarded under Subsection (d)(2) may |
|
include grants for determining the effectiveness of education and |
|
prevention efforts on the prevalence of pathological gambling in |
|
this state. |
|
Sec. 2005.260. INAPPLICABILITY OF OTHER TAXES. |
|
Notwithstanding any other law, except this chapter, an interactive |
|
sports wagering operator is exempt from all excise taxes, license |
|
taxes, permit taxes, privilege taxes, amusement taxes, and |
|
occupation taxes imposed by this state or any political subdivision |
|
of this state. |
|
SUBCHAPTER G. PENALTIES |
|
Sec. 2005.301. CRIMINAL PENALTIES. (a) A person commits an |
|
offense if the person knowingly offers or engages in sports |
|
wagering in violation of this chapter. An offense under this |
|
subsection is a Class B misdemeanor. |
|
(b) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly |
|
attempts to suborn, collude, or otherwise conspire to impermissibly |
|
influence the outcome of any competition or aspect of any |
|
competition that is the subject of sports wagering under this |
|
chapter. An offense under this subsection is a state jail felony. |
|
(c) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or |
|
wilfully falsifies, conceals, or misrepresents a material fact or |
|
knowingly or wilfully makes a false, fictitious, or fraudulent |
|
statement or representation in an application submitted under this |
|
chapter. An offense under this subsection is a state jail felony. |
|
(d) If conduct constituting an offense under this chapter |
|
also constitutes an offense under Chapter 47, Penal Code, the actor |
|
may be prosecuted under either chapter or under both chapters. |
|
Sec. 2005.302. CIVIL PENALTIES. If the commission |
|
determines that a permit holder has intentionally violated any |
|
material provision of this chapter or a rule adopted by the |
|
commission under this chapter, the commission, after providing at |
|
least 15 days' notice and a hearing, may: |
|
(1) suspend or revoke the permit holder's permit; and |
|
(2) impose a monetary penalty not to exceed $10,000 |
|
for each violation. |
|
SECTION 3. Section 47.01, Penal Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (2-a) to read as |
|
follows: |
|
(1) "Bet" means an agreement to win or lose something |
|
of value solely or partially by chance. A bet does not include: |
|
(A) contracts of indemnity or guaranty, or life, |
|
health, property, or accident insurance; |
|
(B) an offer of a prize, award, or compensation |
|
to the actual contestants or participants in a bona fide contest for |
|
the determination of skill, speed, strength, or endurance or to the |
|
owners of animals, vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft entered in a |
|
contest; [or] |
|
(C) an offer of merchandise, with a value not |
|
greater than $25, made by the proprietor of a bona fide carnival |
|
contest conducted at a carnival sponsored by a nonprofit religious, |
|
fraternal, school, law enforcement, youth, agricultural, or civic |
|
group, including any nonprofit agricultural or civic group |
|
incorporated by the state before 1955, if the person to receive the |
|
merchandise from the proprietor is the person who performs the |
|
carnival contest; or |
|
(D) an offer of a prize, award, or compensation |
|
to the participants in a fantasy sports contest. |
|
(2-a) "Fantasy sports contest" means a bona fide |
|
contest, reflecting the relative knowledge and skill of the |
|
participants, in which: |
|
(A) participants assemble a fictional sports |
|
team composed of actual professional or amateur athletes to compete |
|
against other fictional sports teams assembled by other |
|
participants for a prize, award, or compensation; |
|
(B) the value of any prize, award, or |
|
compensation is established in advance of the beginning of the game |
|
or contest; |
|
(C) the outcome of the game or contest is |
|
determined by the accumulated statistical performances of the |
|
individual athletes on a participant's fictional sports team; and |
|
(D) the outcome of the game or contest is not |
|
based solely on the score, point spread, or performance of a single |
|
professional or amateur team or athlete. |
|
SECTION 4. Section 47.02(c), Penal Code, is amended to read |
|
as follows: |
|
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that |
|
the actor reasonably believed that the conduct: |
|
(1) was permitted under Chapter 2001, Occupations |
|
Code; |
|
(2) was permitted under Chapter 2002, Occupations |
|
Code; |
|
(3) was permitted under Chapter 2004, Occupations |
|
Code; |
|
(4) was permitted under Chapter 2005, Occupations |
|
Code; |
|
(5) consisted entirely of participation in the state |
|
lottery authorized by the State Lottery Act (Chapter 466, |
|
Government Code); |
|
(6) [(5)] was permitted under Subtitle A-1, Title 13, |
|
Occupations Code (Texas Racing Act); or |
|
(7) [(6)] consisted entirely of participation in a |
|
drawing for the opportunity to participate in a hunting, fishing, |
|
or other recreational event conducted by the Parks and Wildlife |
|
Department. |
|
SECTION 5. Section 47.09(a), Penal Code, is amended to read |
|
as follows: |
|
(a) It is a defense to prosecution under this chapter that |
|
the conduct: |
|
(1) was authorized under: |
|
(A) Chapter 2001, Occupations Code; |
|
(B) Chapter 2002, Occupations Code; |
|
(C) Chapter 2004, Occupations Code; |
|
(D) Chapter 2005, Occupations Code; |
|
(E) Subtitle A-1, Title 13, Occupations Code |
|
(Texas Racing Act); or |
|
(F) [(E)] Chapter 280, Finance Code; |
|
(2) consisted entirely of participation in the state |
|
lottery authorized by Chapter 466, Government Code; or |
|
(3) was a necessary incident to the operation of the |
|
state lottery and was directly or indirectly authorized by: |
|
(A) Chapter 466, Government Code; |
|
(B) the lottery division of the Texas Lottery |
|
Commission; |
|
(C) the Texas Lottery Commission; or |
|
(D) the director of the lottery division of the |
|
Texas Lottery Commission. |
|
SECTION 6. (a) Not later than the 90th day after the |
|
effective date of this Act, the Texas Lottery Commission shall post |
|
on the commission's Internet website the application forms and |
|
adopt rules allowing for the submission of applications for |
|
interactive sports wagering permits and service provider permits, |
|
as required by Chapter 2005, Occupations Code, as added by this Act. |
|
(b) Not later than the 45th day after the date the |
|
application forms are posted and rules are adopted as required by |
|
Subsection (a) of this section, the Texas Lottery Commission shall |
|
open an initial application period for issuance of permits under |
|
Chapter 2005, Occupations Code, as added by this Act. |
|
(c) Not later than the 30th day after the date the initial |
|
application period described by Subsection (b) of this section |
|
commences, the Texas Lottery Commission shall complete the review |
|
of all applications received during the initial application period |
|
and award interactive sports wagering permits in accordance with |
|
Chapter 2005, Occupations Code, as added by this Act. |
|
(d) Following the close of the initial application period |
|
described by Subsection (c) of this section, the Texas Lottery |
|
Commission shall issue additional available permits on a rolling |
|
basis. |
|
SECTION 7. The changes in law made by this Act to Chapter |
|
47, Penal Code, apply only to an offense committed on or after the |
|
effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the |
|
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the |
|
date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in |
|
effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense |
|
was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element |
|
of the offense occurred before that date. |
|
SECTION 8. This Act takes effect January 1, 2024, but only |
|
if the constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to |
|
legalize wagering in this state on certain sporting events is |
|
approved by the voters. If that amendment is not approved by the |
|
voters, this Act has no effect. |