As Texas moves closer to joining the ranks of states embracing legalized iGaming, lawmakers, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders are converging on a shared goal: leveraging this digital expansion without sacrificing the state’s economic resilience and identity.
The roadmap being drawn isn’t simply about opening virtual casino doors—it’s about constructing a future in which innovation and heritage walk together. At the heart of the initiative are Texas-based platforms that are grounding their infrastructure locally, investing in tech hubs, and prioritizing community-driven employment initiatives.
Responsible Regulation and Legislative Momentum
Texas lawmakers are approaching iGaming legalization through a uniquely cautious yet forward-thinking lens. With a population of over 30 million and one of the fastest-growing tech sectors in the U.S., the state represents a prime market.
Yet, proposed bills like HB 1942 and SJR 17 deliberately emphasize regulatory frameworks to ensure that rapid digital growth does not compromise existing socio-economic systems. Lawmakers are adamant that any iGaming platform licensed in the state must meet rigid compliance standards, including mandatory local employment ratios and transparency in revenue reporting.
Grounding the Tech Infrastructure in Texas
Rather than outsourcing development and operations, early entrants into the Texas iGaming market are setting up roots within the state itself. From San Antonio to Austin, tech startups and major casino brands alike are investing in local server farms, cybersecurity firms, and data centers to handle online gaming operations.
For instance, several platforms for online casinos in Texas are increasingly investing in local IT and customer service roles, signaling a broader push to root digital success in homegrown opportunity.
Economic Incentives for Texas-Based Firms
Texas economic policy experts are crafting incentive packages designed to reward companies that not only launch iGaming operations in the state, but that also employ a minimum of 60% of their workforce from Texas ZIP codes.
This approach, based on the Texas Economic Development Act, aims to keep high-earning technical jobs within the state. Companies that meet hiring and infrastructure milestones can qualify for tax breaks of up to $5 million over five years, reinforcing the state’s commitment to local-first digital growth.
Early Job Creation Figures Are Encouraging
Preliminary data from the Texas Workforce Commission shows that iGaming-related job postings increased by 312% between Q3 2024 and Q2 2025. The sharpest spikes were observed in Dallas, Houston, and El Paso, particularly in customer service, app development, cybersecurity, and compliance roles.
This rise correlates directly with licensing interest from at least 14 operators, many of which have begun setting up physical offices in Texas to qualify for local hiring incentives and bolster credibility with voters and legislators alike.
Encouraging Tech Startups to Engage iGaming
To ensure that iGaming growth doesn’t just benefit established corporations, the Texas Department of Information Resources launched the “Digital Gaming Bridge Grant” initiative.
The program provides up to $750,000 per startup for local firms building white-label platforms, payment integrations, or security solutions tailored to iGaming. This move is deliberately designed to absorb Texas-based software talent into the sector rather than watching it migrate to coastal hubs like Silicon Valley or New York.
Targeted Community Employment in Tourism Hubs
The synergy between tourism and iGaming is being used as a foundation for regional job development. For instance, San Antonio, with its strong hospitality infrastructure, has partnered with two online sportsbook operators to establish localized content and promotion teams that understand the unique demographics and seasonal events of the region.
Meanwhile, Galveston has attracted backend tech service companies looking to support betting platforms targeting cruise ship and coastal tourism markets, with more than 450 new full-time jobs registered in Q2 2025 alone.
Education Pipelines to Fuel the Workforce
Community colleges and vocational institutions are aligning with the private sector to design curricula focused on careers in digital compliance, payment architecture, and user interface design.
The Lone Star Digital Gaming Academy, launched in March 2025, now serves over 3,000 students across five campuses with a blend of hands-on training and internship placement programs supported by companies like DraftKings and Play’n GO, who have made explicit commitments to hiring Texas graduates in their upcoming regional expansions.
Economic Forecasts Indicate Resilience
A report released by the Texas Comptroller’s Office in June 2025 projects that a regulated iGaming sector could contribute up to $4.6 billion in annual gross revenue by 2027.
Crucially, the report also notes that only 28% of projected revenue is expected to derive from external operators, indicating a strong local footprint in ownership and revenue retention. Economic advisors stress that this model ensures diversification rather than dependence—where digital gaming becomes one of many thriving sectors, not a monopoly on growth.
Public Sentiment Reflects Conditional Support
A May 2025 poll conducted by the University of Texas found that 61% of Texans support iGaming legalization if the legislation includes strong commitments to local employment and reinvestment.
Among respondents aged 18–34, that figure jumped to 78%, driven largely by the promise of high-paying remote or hybrid roles. These figures underscore the importance of aligning iGaming expansion with tangible, visible benefits for everyday Texans, particularly those in economically vulnerable or rural areas.
Platform Commitments Already Underway
Major iGaming players like BetMGM and Fanatics Interactive have already begun recruiting for roles in compliance, digital marketing, and game testing in Texas. BetMGM’s Austin office, opened in April 2025, currently employs 130 people and is expected to expand to 300 by year-end.
Meanwhile, Fanatics has signed a $12 million lease for a Dallas-based operations hub with plans to make it their central U.S. tech node. These investments aren’t just financial—they’re symbolic gestures that show a genuine commitment to Texas’s long-term digital future.
