Gambling

The American Association of University Professors and its Texas affiliate are suing the Texas Tech University System, claiming new curriculum policies amount to unconstitutional censorship. The Texas Newsroom's Lucio Vasquez reports the lawsuit asks a federal judge to block the policies. Despite a ban on sports betting in the state, "prediction market platforms" allow Texans to place money on event outcomes. The Texas Medical Association wants policymakers to restrict platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi to people 21 years and older.

The Texas Medical Association has concerns about how prediction market platforms, like Kalshi and Polymarket, could lead more young adults to develop gambling addictions. The organization wants state lawmakers to implement regulations on the new trend, including restricting platforms for people under 21 years old.

A $100,000 donation from Las Vegas Sands will help a nonprofit address treatment needs in Texas, where a state law set up a “compulsive gambling program” that is no longer funded.

A judge heard from attorneys representing the NCAA and Texas Tech University quarterback Brendan Sorsby yesterday in a temporary injunction hearing for Sorsby’s ineligibility lawsuit. The player was declared ineligible to play indefinitely after it was announced at the end of April that Sorsby was seeking treatment for gambling addiction. The judge did not make a public decision in Monday’s hearing. If the ineligibility stands, Sorsby could still enter the NFL supplemental draft and potentially become the first player chosen from there since 2019.

Campaign staffers are turning private polling data into personal paydays. They describe the election prediction market as a "Wild West" for staffers.

A Trump administration agency has sued other states that sought to regulate Kalshi, Polymarket and other prediction operations under their gambling laws.

Texas Tech University’s quarterback, Brendan Sorsby, is taking an indefinite leave of absence to get treatment for gambling addiction, a growing concern within the NCAA. Our Charley Maranville reports the Texas Water Development Board is accepting public comments on the draft of the 2027 State Water Plan. You can find more information and read the draft here and submit comments until May 29 here.

The City of Lubbock and Lubbock Fire Rescue cut the ribbon on the Eric Hill Memorial Station, yesterday. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more from the ceremony. Despite attempts from some lawmakers to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission, the Texas Newsroom's Blaise Gainey reports the state house has instead settled on a bill to move the commission under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

On Tuesday, the Lubbock-Cooper ISD Board of Trustees announced Aaron Waldrip as the Lone Finalist for the position of superintendent. Also this week, the Texas Lottery Commission voted to ban third-party couriers from selling lottery tickets in the state. The Texas Newsroom’s Nina Banks reports that the unanimous vote comes after months of heightened scrutiny against the Lottery agency. The City of Lubbock’s public health department announced that its MMR vaccine clinic will be returning from extended hours back to normal hours after this Saturday.

Texas is once again looking at legalizing sports gambling during this years’ legislative session, and supporters are being backed by some of the most influential people in Texas sports.