Gov. Greg Abbott orders lottery staff to stop pursuing gambling expansion

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday instructed state lottery officials to stop their efforts to gather information about sports betting games and other types of gambling that are prohibited under state law.

In a letter, Abbott told Texas Lottery Commission Chairman J. Winston Krause that he “wholeheartedly” supports existing prohibitions on gaming in Texas and does not want the agency to continue its exploration of games such as sports betting and fantasy sports betting that other states have launched.

“Please ensure this intent and direction is strictly enforced among the staff of the Texas Lottery Commission,” Abbott wrote. “Please also notify the executive director and staff that any request to travel to gather information about gaming opportunities that are prohibited in Texas should be denied.”

The letter comes as newly reported email communications from Texas Lottery Commission executive director Gary Grief reveal that the agency has intently investigated expanding the agency’s gaming portfolio to include sports betting and fantasy sports betting games.

Read more: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2015/11/gov-greg-abbott-orders-lottery-staff-to-stop-pursuing-gambling-expansion.html/