Chambers representing more than 15,000 employers endorse casino-style gaming

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Local chambers of commerce in cities across Texas have announced their support for giving Texas voters the opportunity to decide on casino-style gaming at the ballot box.

"Chambers representing more than 15,000 business owners recognize Texas is hemorrhaging money to neighboring states because we have not allowed the people of Texas to vote on casino-style gaming," said John T. Montford, chair for Let Texas Decide. "$2.5 billion in spent annually in Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico by Texans which helps pay for their roads, schools and hospitals. It's time to let Texans decide whether they want to keep those dollars and jobs in Texas."

In addition to receiving the support of the state's leading business organization – the Texas Association of Business – a gaming referendum is also supported by various local chambers of commerce, including: the Harlingen Chamber, the Houston Hispanic Chamber, the Houston Intercontinental Chamber of Commerce, the Houston Northwest Chamber, the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber, the Texas City La-Marque Chamber, the Katy Area Chamber, the North San Antonio Chamber, the Randolph Metrocom Chamber, and the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce. (For a full list of current supporters, visit www.lettexansdecide.com)

"Business knows the expansion of gaming will be a boon for the economy, creating 75,000 Texas jobs and $8.5 billion in annual economic growth," said Montford. "This is about jobs, growth and freedom. Let's keep Texans gaming in Texas, not building Oklahoma's future infrastructure."

"It is better to regulate gaming and capture the revenue for the benefit of taxpayers than to turn a blind eye to existing illegal gaming operations while forcing Texans to take their entertainment dollars out of state," said Montford.

Let Texans Decide is dedicated to providing the citizens of Texas the opportunity to vote on the expansion of gaming in Texas through the passage of a constitutional amendment in the Texas Legislature. This effort has the support of chamber organizations and business leaders across Texas in addition to leaders in the gaming industry.

SOURCE Let Texans Decide