Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he is hopeful Texas will legalize sports betting following the 2026 midterm elections, which saw Democrats gain ground in the state Legislature and governor’s office. Jones, speaking during his weekly Friday interview on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, referenced the political change as a possible opening for legislation he has supported for years.
“It is a plus in my mind with the best place in the world for sports, Texas, for us to have the gaming and hopefully the new turnover, you might say, in the politics will see it that way,” Jones said.
Texas remains one of 11 states that completely ban sports gambling. Jones has publicly pushed for legalization since at least 2021, arguing that the state loses “huge amounts of revenue” by keeping the ban in place. He believes allowing sports betting would benefit the Dallas Cowboys and their fans.
Jones stressed that his support is not tied to political parties but to what helps the Cowboys. “I’m really apolitical. I really can’t afford to be a party because our fans are all parties,” he said. “When I have something that will help the Cowboys, then I’m all in. But it’s all about the Cowboys.”
Before the 2026 midterms, Jones donated $250,000 to a joint fundraising committee for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. He also recently gave $10 million to the Clinton Foundation. Jones said his donations and efforts are focused on making the Cowboys more appealing to fans and increasing attendance at the stadium and television viewership.
“I do everything that I can possibly do to make the Cowboys interesting, entertaining, have fans come to the stadium, have people watch us on television,” he added. “That’s my 99 and nine-tenths percent reason for doing anything.”
Jones’s comments came during a period when the Cowboys have faced criticism over their performance under offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, with mounting frustration as the team continues to lose games despite high expectations.
The prospect of legalized sports betting in Texas could have significant implications for the Cowboys and the state’s economy. Currently, Texans must place wagers in other states or online platforms outside Texas, which means the state forfeits tax revenue that legalized betting could generate.
Jones’s optimism about sports betting legalization follows the election results that brought political turnover in Texas, but no formal legislative measures have yet been introduced. The Dallas Cowboys owner’s vocal support adds pressure to lawmakers who might consider revisiting the issue in the coming sessions.
As of now, the legalization of sports betting in Texas remains unconfirmed, pending any future legislative action. Jones’s public statements indicate that he will continue to advocate for the change as part of his broader effort to enhance the Cowboys’ business and fan engagement.
According to Yahoo Sports.
