Poker lobbyists propose to make gambling legal in Texas

Treasurer of the new lobby group Texas Poker Pac, Mike Lavigne, thinks it's high time the state of Texas should benefit from poker's popularity. If legalized and regulated, the state would get a cut from all the casino gambling and give it to fund schools. An estimated $500 million could be generated through gambling.

The laws in Texas prohibit restaurants and bars to be used for poker tournaments. Even lotteries and betting on horses and dogs were illegal in Texas up until 1987. The state was plagued with low economic growth and voters finally decided to legalize horse wagering and lotteries.