The House Committee for Licensing and Administrative Procedures of the state of Texas is studying a project that would permit the legalization of poker games in the state. The author of the project, Republican José Menéndez, claims a legal frame for the opening of poker places and proposes that the Lottery Commission should play a controlling role and establish the pertinent regulations.

Texan poker players say that, whether the government likes it or not, hundreds and hundreds of people play poker everyday in the state, but until now this is possible only in underground gambling places. Players also said they feel uncomfortable under the existing laws because underground gambling is not safe, apart from being illegal. Local poker fan Clonie Gowen said “it’s time for us to stand up as Texans and make it safer for people to play poker”.

Some conservative estimates say that if this project is approved, the state could receive a profit of approximate 150 million dollars per year. Menéndez proposes that the money could be destined to charity and to ease the burden on taxpayers.

If the project is finally approved, the establishments that hold Texas Alcoholic Beverage Permission will have green light to organize poker tournaments for their costumers.