Experts believe Cuban's sale of the Mavericks is part of a renewed effort to legalize gambling.
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Mayor Eric Johnson said whether or not gambling becomes legal in Texas, now is the time for local leaders to join the discussion on whether Dallas deserves a resort casino.
Billionaire businessman Mark Cuban says selling a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks to the Adelson family, which controls the Las Vegas Sands Corporation casino empire, will allow them to build a new arena and casino resort. He said it's part of a larger vision. He dreams of Dallas becoming a “top five travel destination” in the United States.
But Mr. Johnson, who spoke to about 350 business leaders at a luncheon at the Dallas Regional Chamber on Dec. 12, was not asked by Mr. Cuban or his representatives to discuss the plan. said. The event was Johnson's first public speaking since Cuban's sale to the Mavericks was announced.
“Just because Congress says it can happen doesn't mean it will happen, it just happens,” Johnson said. “I've never been a part of those conversations. I don't feel like they're really happening. And I think at some point he was really serious about casino gambling and was serious about doing it in Dallas. I think a lot of people want to have those conversations, but to be honest, we've never had them. ”
Despite efforts by Sands and other advocates to pass legislation in recent years, casino gambling remains illegal in Texas. Experts see Cuban's sale as part of a new push.
Johnson said the discussions in Austin are entirely separate from the discussions that need to take place in Dallas. He said Cuban and city leaders will need to consider where in Dallas a casino resort could go. Johnson said land use questions need to be answered and leaders need to consider how such destinations will impact surrounding communities.
For an example of how such tourism-focused destinations can stir up controversy, look no further than Frisco, where Universal Studios plans to build a $550 million theme park. said Johnson.
“This sounds good on one side, but there's another side to this. It's bringing a lot of people here for a specific purpose, who don't necessarily live in Frisco. That means we're doing it,” Johnson said.
Attracting a casino resort to Dallas would change the fabric of the city, he said.
“That's the problem with having a major casino,” Johnson said. “Dallas really changes when you become a destination casino city. That's all things you're going to have to talk about at some point. … And that's not to say it's going to be a particularly tense or difficult conversation. , but it's not happening, even though it should be happening.”
