The abolishment of the state lottery

Texas Senate Bill 1988 (SB1988), introduced in March 2025 by Senators Bob Hall and Brent Hagenbuch, aimed to abolish the state lottery. The bill proposed amendments to existing laws to eliminate the lottery and related operations. However, the Legislative Budget Board estimated that this action would result in a negative fiscal impact of approximately $3.87 billion for the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill was referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee but did not progress beyond the committee stage and ultimately died in committee on May 29, 2025.

Supporters of SB1988 argued that abolishing the state lottery would address concerns about gambling addiction and the disproportionate impact on lower-income individuals. They contended that the lottery functions as a regressive tax, exploiting vulnerable populations, and that its removal would promote more equitable revenue generation methods.

Opponents of SB1988 highlighted the significant fiscal impact of eliminating the state lottery, noting the projected $3.87 billion loss in revenue for the upcoming biennium. They emphasized that these funds are crucial for financing public education and other essential state services. Critics also pointed out that the lottery provides entertainment for many Texans and that its abolition could lead to unintended economic consequences, such as job losses in related sectors.