Bills are making their way through House committees and support for expanded gambling venues and sports betting in Texas is at an all-time high. However, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is the president of the Senate and he has no appetite for legalized gambling in the state – unless it is a Republican idea with broad GOP support in the Senate.

The Texas House State Affairs Committee recently approved two bills to be sent to the floor of the House for a vote, opening a path for them to be acted on by the Senate and potentially signed into law by the Governor. Governor Abbot has had a sort of fluid response to the issue of expanded gambling – once “wholeheartedly” opposed to it, then open to letting voters decide, and now seemingly leaning more toward sportsbetting but not too excited about casinos.

Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) saw his House Joint Resolution (HJR) 155 approved first and then Rep. John Kuempel’s (R-Seguin) saw his House Bill (HB) 2843 make it through the committee as supporting legislation. The companion bills would authorize destination casino resorts in limited numbers and at specific locations based on the population if Texas voters approve of the idea.

Bills Would Allow Voters to Decide

The bills lay out important frameworks for liberalized gambling in the state which is currently illegal and only allowed grudgingly on Native lands that the state has no control over. The legislation would simply allow voters in Texas to approve a constitutional amendment in November that would allow commercial gambling.

The current bills would allow for two casinos in the Dallas and Fort Worth area along with six others elsewhere in the state.

Some reports indicate that at least 75% of Texans favor being given the choice to decide for themselves. That doesn’t mean that three-quarters of all voting residents favor casino gambling or sports betting, only that they want to decide the issue for themselves.

Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) got his mobile sports betting bill through the committee as well as a separate piece of legislation. This law would set a licensing fee of half a million dollars for mobile sportsbetting sites and levy a 10% tax on revenues.

In a March hearing on the Leach bill, the lawmaker said it would advance “freedom and liberty” in the state and empower tax collectors to make money for the state on an activity that already goes on anyway.

“There are hundreds of our constituents — citizens of all ages, including minors — who right now, especially with March Madness, are placing unsafe, <sic> unsecure, illegal, criminal bets very easily,” Leach said.

Multiple local media outlets reported earlier this week that Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick was making the rounds on state broadcasting networks to make the case against any gambling bills lawmakers might be entertaining. According to his own words, it’s not so much a matter of whether or not Texans want to choose, but which side of the aisle the bills originate from or at least who supports them.

Lt. Gov Claims There is No Support for Voter Choice in Senate

According to Texomashomepage.com, the Senate president took a swipe at the House efforts saying there was “zero support” for the idea in the Senate even though one of his top allies in the Senate, a Republican, is sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution 39 – a constitutional amendment to allow sports betting if voters were to approve it during the next election.

“Our members have been clear: they’re not in support today. We don’t have any votes in the Senate,” Patrick said. “Couldn’t find one Senator who supported it.”

Playing partisan hardball, Patrick reportedly said: “Unless I have 15 to 16 Republicans, meaning it’s a Republican-driven bill because we’re a Republican-driven state, I’m not bringing a bill to the floor,” he said. “I need Republican consensus otherwise, it’s a Democrat bill.”

The Lt. Governor’s political posturing has not slowed down the push to let the people decide and it hasn’t dampened the drive to get the business taken care of. The Texas Destination Resort Alliance issued a statement in support of the bills making it through committee.

Matt Hirsch, a spokesperson for the Alliance said: “The efforts to bring destination resorts to Texas made significant progress with today’s vote. Texans have made it clear that they want destination resorts in Texas, and we are now one step closer to ultimately allowing them to decide on this issue.”

Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban has indicated he’d be open to moving his team to a new home when his current long-term lease comes to an end. A casino resort in Dallas would be an ideal location for the NBA franchise.

There are two very small slots/bingo casinos in the state including Naskila Casino near Livingston. The largest casino is also a native operation near the Mexican border at Eagle’s Pass. Legislation has been written to protect Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino from too much competition all at once by authorizing the tribe to operate any type of game or gambling a commercial operation is allowed to offer.

It’s estimated that Texans leave over $5 billion a year in out-of-state casinos and tribal gambling venues. Millions of visitor trips a year are logged to Oklahoma and other neighboring states with more liberal gambling laws.

Source: Texas House State Affairs Committee passes two bills on resort casinos and mobile sportsbetting, G3 NewsWire, April 5, 2023

The post Political Chill Pill for Commercial Gambling in Texas? appeared first on Casino News Daily.

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Here, we will tell you more about the possibilities of depositing or withdrawing by iDebit or INSTADEBIT. Both online banking solutions stand out with user-friendly platforms and fast transactions. Furthermore, they are Canadian-based and comply with all local online security regulations. Learn more about their advantages below – we will compare them and suggest the better one for online gambling use.

INSTADEBIT vs iDebit – Getting Started

When comparing iDebit vs INSTADEBIT, there is a lot in common. Both payment methods provide instant online banking and are operated from Canada. They are specifically designed to fit the needs of Canadian citizens and residents so that you will have no trouble with the safety levels and the protection of your data. To use them, you must be at least 18 years old and own an account at a local bank.

It can be challenging to choose between iDebit or INSTADEBIT because they are more similar than you imagine. Lightning-speed transactions, advanced data encryption, no third parties involved, and low to zero transfer fees are available. Furthermore, both banking service providers partner with the best online casinos in Canada and are eligible for diverse bonuses and other privileges.

What is iDebit?

If you’re looking for an online banking service with high-security levels and an easy-to-navigate platform, iDebit might be a perfect choice. The transaction process is uncomplicated, and you don’t necessarily need to register to use its services. That makes the payments proceed quickly as no account approval is required – you confirm your identity using your online banking credentials.

As a local payment method, you can find a wide array of casinos accepting iDebit. The online banking service is eligible for withdrawals. Here comes the major difference in comparing INSTADEBIT vs iDebit – the latter acts as an e-wallet, which is an advantage. However, if you want to transfer money to your bank account from iDebit, you will be charged 2 CAD.

How to Make a Casino Deposit with iDebit

Depositing with iDebit is effortless. You can sign up or check out as a guest – it’s up to you. You don’t need a credit or debit card to make a transaction, as only your banking account is required. Here are the simple steps to complete a casino deposit with iDebit:

Keep in mind that not all Canadian banks are compatible with iDebit (you can check them in the previous section). You can cancel the transaction anytime if you start a deposit but realize your bank isn’t among them. In that case, you can consider choosing INSTADEBIT, which supports all banking institutions operating in Canada.

Safety & Data Protection of iDebit

Regarding safety, iDebit gives you no reason to worry as the service uses banking authentication to confirm your identity. That means no third parties can access your credentials – it stays between you and the bank. Security certification companies monitor all transactions coming in and out of your iDebit account.

In addition, iDebit uses 128-bit encryption to reinforce the protection shield of online payments. The support team is available via live chat, and you can also contact them via email. However, even if the online banking service promises secure transactions, you should pay extra attention when gambling online.

According to Canadian online gambling laws, casino operators and betting sites should operate from overseas. For this reason, you must ensure you are choosing a gaming platform authorized by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission or another regulatory body, such as the Malta Gaming Authority. Remember that no matter if you pay with INSTADEBIT or iDebit.

What is INSTADEBIT?

INSTADEBIT is a service providing direct payments from your bank account. Signing up allows you to make instant transactions because no approval period is involved. Comparing INSTADEBIT vs iDebit regarding the authentication process, there are no differences. You can use your banking credentials to log in. The only additional requirement is to provide the last four digits of your SIN to identify yourself.

Thanks to the easy transaction process and the partnership with all banking institutions in the country, INSTADEBIT is a preferred choice for Canadians. It also has high-safety levels and applies anti-fraud practices to protect players. For this reason, there are many casinos accepting INSTADEBIT – they stand out with excellent game libraries and bonus offers.

For a payment method to be useful, it has to be eligible for casino bonuses. Fortunately, INSTADEBIT is often included in promotional terms and conditions. You can use it to deposit, claim an offer and try playing Canadian online slots. These are inspired by themes typical for Canada – ice hockey, nature, snowy adventures, bears, beavers, and a lot more.

How to Make a Casino Deposit with INSTADEBIT

With INSTADEBIT, you can make direct transfers from your online banking account. There is no approval period, as you use your bank credentials to log in. You will need to provide your date of birth because people under 18 are not allowed to use it. Then, you must verify your identity, and you’re good to go. Here are more details on depositing with INSTADEBIT.

INSTADEBIT is an online banking-only service, and you can’t use it as an e-wallet. The funds are directly transferred from your bank account into the casino. It is eligible for receiving payouts, but remember that your funds can only stay there for a short term. They will automatically transfer to your bank account if you don’t withdraw them. For some players, that information may determine whether to choose iDebit or INSTADEBIT.

Safety & Data Protection of INSTADEBIT

Online security is something that INSTADEBIT doesn’t compromise. First, you will get a temporary spending limit until you confirm your bank account. Once you verify your identity, you will get a higher limit. Keep in mind that the online banking provider will charge you a small deposit, around 2 CAD. The amount will appear on your bank statement within five business days.

Once the deposit has proceeded, visit your INSTADEBIT account and click the “Verify Bank Account” link. Your personal and financial data have no chance of leaking because all transactions are secured with 128-bit encryption. Furthermore, VeriSign monitors privacy procedures, while information security is confirmed by the American Institute of CPA’s Service Organization Control.

INSTADEBIT vs iDebit – Differences

If we have to help you compare iDebit vs INSTADEBIT, we must explain their major differences. Even if both online banking providers are Canadian-based and offer fast and secure transactions, they have a slightly different approaches to the registration process. For instance, iDebit lets you deposit as a guest, while INSTADEBIT asks you to sign up and pay a small fee. Here are other differences that may help you decide between the two:

We must also say that when comparing INSTADEBIT vs iDebit, you should consider whether you want to use the banking service as an e-wallet. It’s important because only iDebit has this function. You won’t pay a fee if you sign up. Transfers from your iDebit balance to merchants are free while transferring to your online banking will cost 2.00 CAD per transaction.

With INSTADEBIT, you will pay a small fee. You can only link to one bank account. Deposits and withdrawals to and from your online banking via INSTADEBIT cost around 2 CAD. A common thing between both payment services is that only CAD and USD are supported. A key difference when choosing between INSTADEBIT or iDebit is the availability of accepted financial institutions.

Conclusion – Which Online Banking is Better for Online Gambling

In conclusion, we can say that both online banking methods are secure for Canadian players. They guarantee lightning-fast deposits as the sign-up process takes less than several minutes. Both are eligible for withdrawals and stand out with user-friendly platforms. That said, choosing between iDebit or INSTADEBIT depends on your personal preferences and online payment habits.

If you want our advice, iDebit is a better choice if you feel you need to share more personal information. It has low transfer fees and uncompromised security levels. The only drawback is that it only supports some Canadian banks. If you want to use iDebit, but your bank isn’t among its partners, we assure you that INSTADEBIT is also an excellent choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope our comparison of INSTADEBIT vs iDebit was helpful. This review found many similarities but also important differences between the two payment service providers. If you want to learn more about them, check the following section, where we answer the most popular questions of players in Canada.

Irving to Mavericks was historically bad

Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks would attest to the grass not always being greener on the other side.

they are 11th in the West

Dallas traded for Irving on February 6, at which time they were fourth in the Western Conference. With just two games to go in the 2022-23 regular season, they are 11th in the West and a game behind the ten-seed Oklahoma City Thunder, the team that would receive the final invitation to the play-in tournament. 

The calamitous trade is quickly becoming one of the worst in the 21st century because of its negative short-term impact and because Irving, a free agent in the summer, could skip town and leave the Mavs dazed and confused.

Resounding failure

Dallas is only 8-12 with Irving in the lineup; if extrapolated to the entire season, that would give them the fifth-worst record in basketball.

The new-look Mavericks’ glaring failures cannot be attributed directly to Irving, however, who has been brilliant in his new colors. The 31-year-old guard is averaging 27 points, six assists, five rebounds, and shooting splits of 51/39.2/94.7 since arriving in Texas. 

Mavs are failing because of the effects the trade had on their roster composition

Instead, the Mavs are failing because of the effects the trade had on their roster composition. Dorian Finney-Smith, one of the players sent to Brooklyn in the trade package, was the team’s best defender and an elite offensive rebounder from the wing, and his absence has crippled them in both respects. 

As proof, the Mavericks are 24th in defensive rating since the All-Star break. They are 8th offensively, but just cannot get enough stops to translate their high-powered offense into game results.

On top of that, they lost a secondary playmaker in Spencer Dinwiddie that was still effective off the ball, whereas Irving and Luka Doncic both need the ball to be at their best. That was after they let New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who is now flourishing in his new home, leave in free agency before the season started. 

The worst-case scenario for Dallas is that Irving also departs when the free agency window opens in the offseason. He has indicated that he would be open to staying, although he has made similar remarks before leaving other teams in the past.

It’s been a remarkable fall-off for a team that reached the Western Conference Finals just last season, but how does it compare to the other worst trades in the 21st century?

More of the worst NBA trades

The most infamous exchange of players post-2000 involved the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets. The former fleeced the latter by sending them an aging trio of Jason Terry, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce for five players and four first-round picks. Two of those picks ended up being Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and another was used to bring Irving to town. 

The Nets, meanwhile, failed to make it out of the first round of the playoffs every year but one and quickly became one of the worst teams in the league.

The Thunder also made a disastrous deal when they decided they did not want to pay the luxury tax and sent James Harden to the Houston Rockets for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and two first-round picks, one of which became Steven Adams. The Thunder never made it back to the NBA Finals like they did with Harden and lost Kevin Durant to free agency a couple of years later while Harden quickly became a perennial MVP candidate.

little-known defensive star named Kawhi Leonard, for San Antonio Spurs guard George Hill

The Indiana Pacers made their case for one of the worst NBA trades in 2011 by swapping their 15th overall pick, a little-known defensive star named Kawhi Leonard, for San Antonio Spurs guard George Hill. Their new point guard went on to average 10.9 points in five seasons with the team, while Leonard only needed three years to become a Finals MVP and later one of the top five players in the league.

It’s unclear how the Irving to Dallas trade will stack up against these organizational gaffes, but a Western Conference finalist falling from 4th to 11th in just a couple of months is not a great legacy to have.

The post Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks Is Among the Worst NBA Trades of the 21st Century appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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