Texas Stopped Funding Addiction Programs: Now a Casino Giant Fills the Void

Texas ceased funding its state-mandated gambling addiction program years ago, leaving a significant public policy void despite increasing rates of problem gambling. Now, a major casino operator, Las Vegas Sands, is donating to a nonprofit to fill this gap, raising complex legal and ethical questions about state responsibility, the adequacy of current regulations for online betting, and potential conflicts of interest when private industry funds public health services.