Texas, a conservative state with a large faith-based community, has long considered gambling a vice, so the prohibition on casinos followed suit. Note: It's important to define gaming and gambling because they are two different things. Gaming is participating in legal, state-sanctioned wagering.
There are also federal laws that can regulate gambling in the state, as all casinos and gaming establishments on Indian reservations must comply with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Utah law prohibits nearly all gambling and casinos in the state.