Over the past few years, Las Vegas Sands has contributed millions of dollars to Texas political contests. The largest casino operator in the world by market capitalization is not exhibiting any indications of collapsing, despite the low return on the numerous campaign contributions.

Texas Sands PAC gave state Senate District 9 Republican candidate John Huffman, a former city councilor and mayor of Southlake in the Dallas/Fort Worth suburbs, $500K last month, according to campaign finance records released by the Texas Ethics Commission. Huffman describes himself as a "true fiscal conservative" who wants to lower taxes and regulations.

According to Sands, Huffman is a potential state legislator who might support the idea of casino gambling as a way to boost the economy, reduce taxes for Texans, and prevent millions of dollars from going to commercial casinos in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and tribal casinos in Oklahoma each year. Republican Leigh Wambsganss, Huffman's main rival in the November 9 special election, has previously stated that she doesn't think gaming is beneficial to society.

"The research is conclusive — gambling has a negative impact on families and has a detrimental effect on the community as a whole,” Wambsganss told the Texas Scorecard. “I do not think expanded gambling is right for Texas.”

Voters, not state legislators, should choose whether or not casinos are appropriate for Texas, according to Huffman.

"If voters choose expansion, it should be limited, well-regulated, and focused on a small number of high-end destination resorts that create jobs and attract tourism,” Huffman said.

Billionaire Dr. Miriam Adelson, who owns the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA alongside her son-in-law Patrick Dumont, is Sands' biggest shareholder. For roughly $3.8 billion, the Adelsons purchased a 69% stake in the Mavericks from Mark Cuban in late 2023. 

Casino Lobby

For many years, Adelson's late husband, Sheldon Adelson, the creator, longstanding chair, and CEO of Sands, had been trying to get into Texas. Adelson is pursuing her husband's goals.

Adelson's acquisition of the Mavs is believed to offer the philanthropist and entrepreneur an advantage in persuading Austin politicians to take gaming into consideration. Cuban, who thinks Texas should expand its leisure travel offerings, backs her cause. Adelson and Cuban have proposed constructing a new NBA arena together with a resort casino.

Texas Sands PAC is solely funded by Adelson and Sands. She donated $9.1 million to the political action group in August. Sands contributed $4,500.

Adelson is also a significant supporter of the Texas Defense PAC. Huffman received over $600K from that committee. Approximately 94% of Huffman's entire campaign war chest comes from the Adelson-based committees.

Irony in politics

Given that her family made money from gaming, Huffman finds it odd that Wambsganss is against casinos in Texas. These allegations are based on the fact that her husband was an investor in a skill gaming manufacturing business that was mostly based in Virginia, the state where Wambsganss was born before migrating to Texas as a child with her military parents.

Although there are still legal disputes, skill games have been prohibited in Virginia since July 2021. Players must find winning paylines in skill games, which resemble slots.

It's also a little ironic that Huffman supports casinos. Having been "blessed to travel to all 50 states," he shared his family's favorite US cities last summer. His assessment of Las Vegas wasn't particularly positive.

"We didn’t gamble — obviously — but we walked the Strip, marveled at the Bellagio Fountains, and soaked in the sensory overload. Glad the kids saw it, but no one was in a hurry to return. Just not our style,” Huffman summarized.

Out of the 21 main cities they visited, the politician from Texas placed Las Vegas at number sixteen.