Gov. Greg Abbott is leaning toward allowing sports betting in Texas. The governor made these claims on the Texas Take Podcast from the Houston Chronicle, hosted by Scott Braddock and Jeremy Wallace. During the podcast, Abbott expressed that he would not oppose the Texas Legislature enacting a law to legalize online sports betting.

Gov. Greg Abbott told the Houston Chronicle he has no objections to legalizing Texas sports betting, adding to growing momentum.

Advocates hoping to bring sports betting to the Lone Star State have a new powerful ally: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle's Texas Take podcast, Abbott said he has no objections to Texas lawmakers passing legislation that brings legal sports betting to Texas,

The comments are some of the governor's strongest in support of an industry that has ramped up its lobbying and political giving in recent years

The highest ranking politician in Texas says he's on board with legal online wagering. But he doesn't have the power to call a Senate vote.

Several major Texas sports franchises like the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros and the San Antonio Spurs have teamed up with sports gaming companies including Draft Kings, FanDuel and BetMGM and the Texas Sports Betting Alliance to push for legalized sports betting.

In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Abbott said he is ready to back efforts to allow sports gambling, aligning with recent public opinion polls that show increasing support for the measure.

In research commissioned by the Sports betting alliance, gaming Firm Eilers and Krejcik gaming found that gaming could become a billion-dollar industry in the state. Kling says they also found many Texans are already trying to place bets, although it is not yet legal.

A PAC is asking for lawmakers to allow a vote on casino resorts, which could open the path for Texas sports betting.