Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson commented on the future of casino gaming in the city during his annual interview with the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce. He outlined some of the challenges operators may have to face, warning them that the legalization of casino gaming is not the only thing they need to keep in mind.

Johnson reflected on this possibility in the wake of the deal between Las Vegas Sands and the Dallas Mavericks which saw the casino operator acquire land in Irving.

While Texas doesn’t currently allow commercial casino gaming, activists have sought to change that for years, with some spending millions on lobbying. The recent acquisition of the Mavericks, which is still subject to approval from the NBA, has sparked theories that the coming of casino gaming may be on the horizon.

Obviously, casino gambling is not legal in Texas, right? It’s not. And so, it would need to become legal by a change in state law.

Eric Johnson

While the legislature will ultimately decide whether casino gaming can happen at all, Johnson believes that the conversation doesn’t need to start there.

The Council Would Decide if a Company Can “Plop a Casino”

Johnson explained that consulting the city council is a major thing casino operators need to consider. He pointed out that even if Texas legalizes Tier III gaming, Dallas’ council would be the one deciding where companies can develop a casino or whether they get to develop a casino at all.

The folks I sit around the horseshoe every day, I can guarantee you, are gonna have to have a say in where you plop a casino in the City of Dallas, or whether you get to plop a casino in the City of Dallas.

Eric Johnson

Operators would need to secure a myriad of permits to get a casino project approved, which is why the Dallas mayor believes that discussion with the city council is an important thing operators should keep in mind.

Proponents of casino gaming argue that its legalization would bolster tourism and have a huge positive impact on the local economy. The owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, has been one of the biggest supporters of casino gaming, saying that it would attract many visitors to The Lone Star State.

In any case, many believe that the outlook for casino gaming remains bleak despite Las Vegas Sands’ active efforts to change that. As of the time of this writing, only tribal operators are allowed to run casinos in the state.

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Both teams are doing alright right now, with the Dallas Cowboys sitting at the top of the NFC with a 10-3 record. The Buffalo Bills are 7-6 overall, but that’s because they’ve had a really tough schedule.

In their last game, they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, while before that, they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles after overtime. Now, they’re taking on the Cowboys, who are undefeated since early November.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills Week 15 Odds

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When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin     
• Date: Sunday, December 17, 2023
• Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
• How to Watch:

Dallas Cowboys Want to Keep Their Good Run Going

Mike McCarthy’s boys are 10-3 in the 2023 NFL with five wins in a row. Their recent schedule was relatively easy, with games against the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, and Seattle Seahawks, all of which have a negative record.

However, in their most recent game, the Cowboys beat last season’s National Football Conference champions. Not only did they beat the Eagles, but they blew them out 33-13. Quarterback Dak Prescott had a fantastic game, going 24-for-39 for 271 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions.

The Cowboys also did well running the ball, with Tony Pollard gaining 59 yards for his team, but with no TDs. The only rushing touchdown was the work of Rico Dowdie.

Dallas’ offense was brilliant in the last game, but everyone needs to keep in mind that Philly is the fifth-worst defense in the league. In Week 15, however, Prescott & Co. are taking on the NFL’s sixth-best defense.

Can Buffalo Stop Dallas?

The Buffalo Bills are 7-6, which doesn’t seem too impressive, but these guys are actually doing very well in 2023 given that they’ve played against some really tough opponents this year. For example, their most recent loss happened to Philadelphia, while in their last game, they defeated Kansas.

With Josh Allen leading their offense, it’s no surprise the Bills have been scoring a lot. Their defense, however, has been their strongest weapon. These guys are conceding just 18.8 points per game, which is really impressive considering that they’ve already played against some of the highest-scoring teams in the 2023 NFL season.

However, they haven’t played against the team with the highest scoring average in the NFL. That’s what’s going to happen on Sunday when they welcome the Dallas Cowboys (32.4 PPG) at Highmark Stadium.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills Prediction

The Dallas Cowboys are doing so great because their schedule hasn’t been too ugly this year. It’s just the opposite when it comes to the Buffalo Bills – they’re not doing too great because of a very difficult fixture list.

However, they’re a fantastic bunch that should be able to beat the Cowboys. This goes especially because they’re playing on their turf.

Pick: Buffalo Bills -2.5 (-115)

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Gambling industry stakeholders are keenly observing the details surrounding the Dallas Mavericks purchase, as it fueled speculations about the future of legalized gambling and sports betting in Texas. The deal should be completed by the year’s end as the team changes hands to the Adelson family, one of the gambling industry’s most famous billionaire magnates.

The Sale Provided Much-Needed Capital

Even with this new venture, Miriam Adelson will retain the majority shareholder position at Sands. As per the SEC filing, Sands board director Irwin Chafetz, a director of the company since February 2005 and a close friend of the late Sheldon Adelson, the founding chairman of Sands, acts as the trustee for the family’s shares. 

This newest deal, initially announced in an SEC filing on 30 November, provides the financial means for Adelson to secure a majority ownership interest in the NBA franchise. Multiple reports suggest that the team will remain in Dallas, and the current owner, Mark Cuban, will continue overseeing basketball operations for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks Purchase Has Significant Implications

Miriam Adelson’s purchase of the majority stake in the Mavericks should be finalized by the year’s end. The deal requires approval from at least 75% of the NBA Board of Governors, consisting of the 30 team owners. If greenlit, Sands President and Chief COO Patrick Dumont, Miriam Adelson’s son-in-law, will join the Board of Governors as the Mavericks’ representative.

Sands has emphasized that ownership of the Mavericks will go directly to the Adelson family and will not impact the company. However, observers view this transaction as part of Sands’ strategy to persuade Texas legislators to take steps towards revising the state’s constitution, potentially allowing legalized gambling, thus advancing the company’s regional interests.

This Development Can Significantly Benefit Sands

Spearheading the introduction of legalized gambling in Texas would represent a significant victory for Las Vegas Sands as it reevaluates its market position and doubles down on its most promising markets. The company recently increased its stake in Sands China, bolstering its overseas presence. It counts on the region’s continued resurgence and the success of its high-profile Macau properties.

Despite Adelson’s efforts to separate the Dallas Mavericks deal from their primary Las Vegas Sands business, the purchase still has considerable implications on the broader gambling landscape. Many industry insiders believe the Mavericks can become the cornerstone of the Adelsons’ Texas efforts, significantly expanding their reach in the state.

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Miriam Adelson, widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, is set to acquire a majority stake in the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks from tech billionaire Mark Cuban. The move comes as Miriam Adelson plans to sell $2 billion worth of stock in Las Vegas Sands, paving the way for the Adelson family to enter the realm of professional sports ownership.

Dallas Mavericks’ Valuation Skyrockets to $3.5B in Adelson Family’s Major Deal

The Adelson family has a binding purchase agreement for the Dallas Mavericks, with the franchise’s total valuation now soaring to $3.5 billion, according to reports from Bloomberg. Mark Cuban, who purchased the Mavericks in 2000 for $285 million from H. Ross Perot Jr., will retain partial ownership and continue to oversee basketball operations.

This strategic acquisition is fueled by the Adelsons’ decision to sell $2 billion in Las Vegas Sands stock, representing approximately 10% of Miriam Adelson’s holdings in the company. The family plans to use the proceeds from the stock sale, combined with available cash, to secure the majority ownership of the Dallas Mavericks, subject to customary league approvals.

Miriam Adelson, an Israeli-born physician, assumed a prominent role in leading the Adelson family following her husband’s passing in January 2021. Despite selling the flagship Venetian resort in Las Vegas last year, the family remains closely tied to the city’s landscape, owning the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper.

Market Reacts to Pending NBA Announcement

The NBA, Sands, and the Adelson family have not officially commented on the impending deal, but reports suggest that an announcement is imminent. Meanwhile, shares of Las Vegas Sands experienced a 3.2% decline in extended trading following the news of the stock sale.

This venture into sports ownership marks a departure from the Adelsons’ previous activities, primarily known for their involvement in the casino industry and political contributions. Miriam Adelson ranked as the fifth richest woman globally by Forbes, has recently met with political figures like Nikki Haley and former President Donald Trump.

While Miriam Adelson’s late husband, Sheldon, was a significant donor to Republican causes, the family’s foray into sports ownership signals a new chapter in their ventures. Miriam Adelson has been recognized for her philanthropic efforts, particularly those focused on improving Jewish relations in the United States.

As the Adelson family prepares to join the ranks of NBA team owners, the sports world awaits official confirmation and details regarding this groundbreaking deal that could reshape the future of the Dallas Mavericks.

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FC Dallas vs. Inter Miami is played in Fresno, a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, meaning that Sunday’s game will mark the first time Lionel Messi is playing for the Herons on the road. In the three games he’s played in Miami, the soccer GOAT was brilliant, but can he continue to do so away from home?

He’ll probably put on a good show on Sunday evening, but the real question is will that be enough for the Herons to advance to the next stage of the Leagues Cup? The thing is that they’re locking horns with a very tricky opponent, who just loves playing big matches.

FC Dallas vs. Inter Miami Odds

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Toyota Stadium in Fresno, Texas
• Date: Sunday, August 6, 2023
• Time: 8:00 PM ET
• How to Watch: Apple TV

FC Dallas is a Real Giant-Slayer in 2023

Sure, you wouldn’t think of FC Dallas as an MLS heavyweight, but this team does have some amazing players on the roster. Forward Jesus Ferreira is arguably this team’s biggest star, who got himself in the international news after impressing with the USMNT at the Gold Cup a few weeks ago.

His colleague from the center of the field, Sebastian Lletget is an exceptional playmaker, and the two have been working well together. This explains why FC Dallas has scored a total of seven goals in the three games of the Leagues Cup.

Sure, this team still hasn’t faced as tough an opponent as Inter Miami in this competition, but FC Dallas is famously good against tough opponents. In the 2023 MLS, we’ve already seen the Texans slay such giants as Los Angeles FC, St. Louis City, and Austin FC. This team has also defeated Inter Miami once this year, but it was way back when no one had any idea Lionel Messi was going to come.

Lionel Messi and His Inter Miami Teammates are Going for the Title

Lionel Messi’s arrival has made an instant impact on Inter Miami, whose ambitions are now super-high. The Herons have set their eyes on the Leagues Cup title. They want to lift the trophy, and they have every right to dream big.

Messi has been fabulous since coming to Florida, scoring five goals already and recording one assist. He could’ve scored one more, but in the game against Orlando City, he let his struggling teammate Josef Martinez take a penalty.

The former Atlanta United striker scored from the penalty spot, thus ending his 5-game goal drought. It put him in a great mood for the remainder of the game, as evident from the fact that he set up one goal for Messi later on.

With him and Messi in top form, the Herons look capable of beating anyone in the Leagues Cup. But it’s not just about them. Sergio Busquets has also been fantastic, and Jordi Alba is expected to start showing up very soon. The former Barcelona left-back made his Inter Miami debut in the previous round after coming off the bench. This time, we could see him start the game.

FC Dallas vs. Inter Miami Prediction

FC Dallas is a team that seems capable of scoring against any opponent in North and Central America. However, we’re 100% certain that the Texans are incapable of keeping their net safe against Messi & Co. That said, we think the Herons are going to thrash them on Sunday.

Picks: Inter Miami to win & over 2.5 goals

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