Is Gambling Online Legal In Texas
- Bingo (1982), Horse racing (1987), Lottery (1991), Kickapoo Casino (1996)
- $1.2 billion
- $4.6 billion
- 18 for lottery and bingo, 21 for racing and Kickapoo Casino
- Texas does not have a statewide smoking ban
- Horse racing is the only form of legal online gambling
- Is Gambling Online Legal In Texas Hill Country
- Is Gambling Online Legal In Texas State
- Is Gambling Online Legal In Texas Holdem
- Is Gambling Online Legal In Texas Penal
In Texas law, gambling is defined as any bet based on the notion of losing or winning something based on chance. Anyone found guilty has committed a Class C misdemeanor that incurs a fine of $500.
Texas casinos and gambling is not very common within its borders. The same cannot be said about its neighbors. Every state that borders Texas offers casinos. Oklahoma stacks casinos along its border with Texas. Lake Charles, Louisiana is just east of the Texas state line. There are also casinos just across the New Mexico border.
Texas has one tribal casino. It is located near the Mexico border on the Kickapoo reservation. The games available are slots, video poker, bingo, electronic table games, and live poker. The only forms of legalized gambling permitted off that reservation are a state lottery, charitable bingo and horse racing, which includes live and off-track betting.
Paying Gambling Taxes in Texas
OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings. Learn everything about reporting your gambling taxes straight from a Certified Public Accountant in our exclusive Gambling Taxes article.
Online Gambling in Texas – Best Casinos to Gamble Legally In TX America’s second most-populous state apparently doesn’t feel like increasing the annual revenue by the help of gambling profit. The gambling market in Texas is largely restricted and allows only a few types of gambling. Texas law does not allow for casinos. The gambling law specifically prohibits 'keeping a gambling place.' However, Native American lands are not subject to the same state gambling laws, and there is at least one legal casino in Texas on native lands. Social Gambling in Texas. In a legal brief to Attorney General Paxton, that lawyer tells the AG plainly, 'poker rooms violate Texas law and are illegal.' It is one of several briefs filed as the poker rooms continue to.
Texas Casinos Map & Guide
- Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino
- 1
- 1
- 1
Best Real Money Online Casinos for Players in Texas
- Huge Welcome Bonus Package
- Visa and MasterCard Payment Options Available for US Players
- Over 150 Real Money Online Slot Games
Compatible with:- windows
- apple
- android
- mobile
- Safe and Reputable Casino, Mobile Friendly
- Easy Credit Card Deposits for US Players
- Impressive Welcome Bonuses up to 260% match
Compatible with:- windows
- apple
- android
- mobile
- Quick USA Payouts, Credit Cards Accepted
- Great Selection of Slots & Table Games
- Legit & Reputable Mobile Friendly Casino
Compatible with:- windows
- apple
- android
- mobile
- Uses the Microgaming Software
- Fast Cashouts in Just 1-7 Days
- Online, Mobile, Instant & Live Play
Deposit Options include:- visa
- mastercard
- paypal
- neteller
100% up to €1,000- Big Jackpots and Massive Deposit Bonuses
- Over 400 Online Casino Games
- Play Live Dealer Games
Deposit Options include:- visa
- mastercard
- paypal
- bitcoin
100% up to €1,600- Large Australian Bitcoin-Friendly Casino
- Mobile, Flash, and Download Play Options
- Fastest Payouts
Deposit Options include:- visa
- mastercard
- paypal
- neteller
- Safe and Trustworthy Australian Casino
- Multiple Daily Deposit Deals
- 100s of Pokies, Slots, and Table Games
Compatible with:- windows
- apple
- android
- mobile
Types of Online Texas Gambling Allowed
The only form of online gambling that is legal in Texas is off-track betting on horses. Apps like TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica accept Texans.
Daily fantasy sports sites accept Texans. This goes against the public declaration by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtonthat the games are illegal. The sites that defy this opinion and continue to operate in Texas in what appears to be an illegal market include DraftKings and FanDuel.
Types of Live Texas Gambling
- Slots: Yes
- Blackjack: Yes
- Poker: Yes
- Craps/Roulette: Yes
- Horses: Yes
- Lottery: Yes
There are a few forms of live gambling permitted in Texas. The Kickapoo tribe has a southern Texas casino. It is the only Texas casino in the state. Slots, video poker, electronic table games and live poker are spread. There are about 3,300 machines at the Lucky Eagle Casino on that reservation. There are no other Texas casinos currently operating within its borders. If the Texas gambling laws were to change, this might as well.
The Texas Lottery sells two types of lottery tickets. One is an instant game that involves scratch-off tickets. The other is lotto drawings. Texas is included in the multi-state drawings like Powerball and Mega Millions. It also has in-state drawings like Lotto Texas, Texas Two Step, Texas Triple Chance, All or Nothing, Pick3, Daily4, and Cash5.
Charities may spread bingo for fundraising purposes. These are very popular compared to most other states due to the lack of other Texas casinos and gambling options.
The racing industry also fares better in Texas than other locales. The lack of Texas casinos probably helps the tracks remain active. Live and off-track betting is available at horse and greyhound racing venues in Texas.
Texas Gambling Laws
There are strict Texas gambling laws. The only forms of legalized Texas gambling are ones specifically approved by voters in a constitutional referendum. The only forms of gambling voters have affirmed are charitable bingo, horse racing, and a state lottery. A gaming compact was created between the state and the Kickapoo tribe under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Slots, video poker, electronic table games and a poker room are approved. Table games are not allowed. The Kickapoo tribe has the only reservation recognized by the state for gaming purposes. They are the only Texas casino currently operating.
While Texas bans most forms of betting, its punishments are lenient compared to other states. All gambling crimes that are not handled on a federal level are only misdemeanors.
A bet is defined as “an agreement to win or lose something of value solely or partially by chance”. Daily fantasy sports are illegal in Texas, likely because of this definition. The sites claim to be bona fide contests of skill that fall outside of this definition. The state attorney general and most legal analysts that follow the industry find that to be a laughable position.
The minimum Texas gambling age for lottery players is 18 years old. Live racing and off-track betting has a minimum Texas gambling age of 21 years old. The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino also is required to exclude anyone under 21. Bingo players must be 18 but state law permits minors to play if accompanied by an adult.
List of Texas Casinos and Racetracks
There is only one Texas casino and it is the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass. There are six active racetracks in Texas that have live and off-track betting. Three offers horses while the other three are greyhound tracks.
Casino | Size | Address | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino – Eagle Pass | 3,300 Slot Machines | 768 Lucky Eagle Dr. | www.luckyeagletexas.com |
Racetrack | Type | Address | Website |
Gulf Coast Racing – Corpus Christie | Greyhounds | 5302 Leopard St. | www.gulfcoastracetrack.com |
Gulf Greyhound Park – La Marque | Greyhounds | 1000 FM 2004 | www.gulfgreyhound.com |
Lone Star Park – Grand Prairie | Thoroughbred | 1000 Lone Star Pkwy | www.lonestarpark.com |
Retama Park – Selma | Thoroughbred & Quarter Horse | 1 Retama Pkwy | www.retamapark.com |
Sam Houston Race Park – Houston | Quarter Horse | 7575 N. Sam Houston Pkwy W. | www.shrp.com |
Valley Race Park – Harlingen | Greyhounds | 2601 S. Ed Carey Dr. | www.valleyracepark.com |
In addition to the Texas casinos and tracks, there are thousands of lottery retailers in the state where bettors can buy instant game and lotto tickets. There are also more than 100 places to play bingo.
Texas Gambling History
Horse racing dates back to before Texas became a state. Old time bookmakers took bets without any oversight. The industry had its issues with legitimacy before the industry died off in the middle of the 20th Century. It returned in a regulated state in 1987 to keep bettors from traveling to neighboring states for action. Live horses and greyhounds may be used.
Racing was not the first time gambling was legalized in Texas. Voters approved charitable gambling in 1980. The first bingo license was issued in 1982.
Voters approved the Texas Lottery in November 1991. The first ticket was sold in May 1992.
Tribal Texas Casinos Enter the Picture
Texas casino gambling has an interesting past in Texas. The Kickapoo tribe is the only one permitted to hold a gaming pact with the state.
The Tigua tribe was the first to open a casino in Texas. That occurred in 1993. It was done without a gaming compact. Governor Richards refused to enter into one.
The Tigua tribe sued the state and lost in 1994. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the state could not be compelled to sign a gaming compact. The Tigua casino remained open without a gaming pact. The state sued in 1999 and prevailed to shut the casino down. The casino did not close until 2001 when the Tigua tribe lost its appeals.
The Tigua tribe tried again in 2008 to roll out cash games. It opened a slot parlor but was forced to shut down after enforcement action was brought by Texas officials.
The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino opened in 1996. It is still open today as it holds a gaming pact.
The Alabama-Coushatta tribe opened a casino in 2001. It closed after the Tigua Indians lost its initial court battle.
State law considers any activity that involves partial chance with money on the line to be gambling. Many gaming lawyers assumed that these meant daily fantasy sports were illegal in the state. The companies that operate those contests did not agree and operated in the state. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton declared the games illegal in January 2016. The sites ignored his opinion as it did not include a demand to leave the market.
Texas Casinos & Gambling FAQ
What is the minimum Texas gambling age?
Lottery and bingo players must be at least 18 years old. Racing and casino players must be at least 21.
A bingo patron under 18 is allowed to play for real money if accompanied by an adult.
Yes. There is three horse racing tracks in Texas.
Yes. There are three greyhound tracks in Texas.
Yes. All six tracks have race books. TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica all have mobile racing apps available to Texans.
There is one. It is Kickapoo’s Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass.
Slots, video poker, live poker and electronic table games are spread at Lucky Eagle Casino.
Sunland Park Race Track and Casino is just across the border in New Mexico from El Paso.
There are dozens of casinos along the Oklahoma state line.
Lake Charles, Louisiana is home to the closest casinos to Houston.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton declared daily fantasy sports illegal in January 2016. His opinion was ignored by most of the companies that provide the games.
FanDuel and DraftKings are the major daily fantasy sports sites still in the state.
Is online poker, casino or sports betting legal in Texas over the Internet?
If you are looking for the best Texas online casinos for real money games, then you’ve come to the right place. With online gambling becoming increasingly popular, Texas residents are eager to find a trustworthy casino to play at.
We’ve compiled a list of the best real money online casinos and gambling sites for Texas, so you don’t have to waste time looking for a place to play casino games online. Below is our list of the top recommendations for Texas residents. These sites and apps are some of the most user friendly and safest online casinos that we have found for Texas.
Rank | Online Casino | Key Info | Bonus Info | Visit Casino |
---|---|---|---|---|
#1 |
| |||
#2 |
| |||
#3 |
| |||
#4 |
| |||
#5 |
|
For more information about TX casino websites, you can refer to the rest of this page as your go-to guide.
What Makes These the Best Online Casinos in Texas?
We promise that we don’t just pick these sites at random. Actually, we spent hours testing and researching dozens of sites in order to find the ones that meet our high standards. Here are some of the criteria a site must meet to be considered one of the best Texas online casinos.
Safe and Secure Online Gambling Experience
These real money online casinos all make your safety a top priority. Sites should offer a full-time security team, an up-to-date SSL site encryption, a third-party company to hold them accountable, solid relationships with banking establishments, and a proven track record of keeping their players safe.
If a site fails to have the necessary tools in place to fully protect their players, then they will automatically be taken off our list of recommendations. We hold the safety and security of players in high regard. We want you to be able to have peace of mind knowing that both your funds and your personal information are protected.
Feedback from Texas Gamblers
One of the first things we did while searching for the best real money online casinos accepting Texas players was to check out those casinos’ user reviews.
After spending several hours scouring different review sites, we discovered there was predominantly positive feedback. Users seem to enjoy themselves while playing at these Texas gambling sites, and most importantly, they feel safe there.
Diversity of Available Casino Games
We dedicate a massive chunk of time to playing the online casino games offered at the Texas online gambling sites we visit. Not only are we checking the quality of the games we play, but we’re also looking to see how diverse their game selection is.
Do the best TX online casinos offer poker? Do they have a wide variety of slot games? Do they offer ample ways to win money? These are just a few of the questions we ask ourselves while analyzing the casino’s value at hand. The more types of games we see offered at a casino, the more confident we become that they’ll have something for every player that comes their way.
Banking Methods Offered
Obviously, your money matters. That’s why we pay close attention to what banking methods are available at the best online casinos in Texas.
We also check to see how long it takes for both deposits and withdrawals or any additional fees or limits enforced by the casino. We take all of this and more into consideration when determining which sites we’ll recommend.
Top-Notch Customer Service Team
Another thing we are looking for from the best online casinos accepting TX players is a high-quality customer service team. We ask various customer service reps several different questions to see how kind and knowledgeable their staff is.
We also note how their staff can be contacted, the amount of time it takes to get a response, and whether or not they can be reached 24/7. We only recommend sites that go above and beyond in these areas.
The Legality of Online Gambling in Texas
At this point, you are probably wondering about Texas online casino laws. Here is everything we know.
In 2006, when the United States passed the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act), many sites closed their doors to American players. Through this legal document, the USA made it illegal to “knowingly accept payments in connection with the participation of another person in a bet or wager that involves the use of the Internet.”
As a result, Texas created its own laws on the subject. Texas Penal Code 47.02 states that a person is at fault when he or she knowingly “plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device.” Since real money online gambling in Texas would fall under this description, it is technically illegal.
However, there are still plenty of opportunities to participate in Texas casino gambling online. While there aren’t any US online casinos that accept Texas players, there are casinos in Costa Rica and other parts of the world that will take Texas players with open arms.
What Are the Penalties for Gambling Online in Texas?
Again, according to Texas Penal Code 47.02, participating in Texas online gambling would be considered a Class C misdemeanor, and it could cost you up to $500 in fines.
If you have any concerns about the legality of online casinos in Texas, then we recommend you reach out to a legal professional who is more educated on the subject and who will be able to answer your questions about TX online gambling more thoroughly.
Real Money Casino Apps for Texas Residents
If you love playing at online casinos on the go, you should definitely consider checking out real money USA casino apps. We love playing our favorite casino games on our phones. It gives us the flexibility to enjoy them anywhere we go!
If we’re stuck in traffic, waiting in line at the DMV, or on break at work, you’ll probably find us playing poker or our favorite slot game right on a mobile device. Texas gambling apps online give us the flexibility to make mundane activities more exciting. Plus, they give us the chance to earn some extra cash!
Despite our enthusiasm for real money Texas gambling apps, we always feel obligated to mention something to our readers when we are on this topic. As with other online casino apps, Texas gambling apps may not offer the same number of games as their desktop counterpart. This is simply a result of compatibility issues.
Luckily, as technology advances, we run into this issue less and less. Expect to find most of the games you want to play offered on TX casino apps, but not all.
Online Sports Betting in Texas
Many TX gambling sites offer online sports betting. You’ll have the opportunity to place real money wagers on baseball, basketball, boxing, football, golf, hockey, and just about any other sport you can think of. Yes, even esports doesn’t get left out.
Types of bets you might find offered at TX sports gambling sites include:
- straight bets
- total line bets
- money line bets
- parlay bets
- teaser bets
- head-to-head bets
Why Should I Play at Texas Online Casinos With Sportsbooks?
Betting with money on your favorite teams can make watching your favorite sporting events even more exciting, as you’ll have the chance to earn some extra cash! Plus, most online casino sites with sports gambling allow you to place your first bet for free, so there’s no risk involved.
Land Based Casinos in Texas
Like many other states, US brick and mortar casinos are illegal in the state of Texas; the only exception to this rule are casinos built on Native American reservations. Casinos owned and operated by Native Americans don’t have to follow Texas casino laws, so they are 100% legal. There are only two brick and mortar casinos in Texas at this time.
Is Gambling Online Legal In Texas Hill Country
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino
Is Gambling Online Legal In Texas State
- Website: www.luckyeagletexas.com
- Address: 794 Lucky Eagle Dr, Eagle Pass, TX 78852
- Phone #: (830) 773-2255
- Number of games: Over 3300
This is the oldest casino in Texas, as it opened its doors in 1996. While there are no table games offered here, they do have just about any slot game you can think of. Stay at any of their 249 high-quality rooms and indulge at any of their four gourmet restaurants for a wonderful experience.
Naskila Gaming
Is Gambling Online Legal In Texas Holdem
- Website: www.naskila.com
- Address: 540 State Park Rd 56, Livingston, TX 77351
- Phone #: (936) 563-2946
- Number of games: 793
Naskila is a newer casino, having only been around since 2016. They have a mix of slot games and video poker games to choose from. Members will enjoy a private lounge and three fine-dining restaurants. There are no hotel rooms connected to this casino at this time.
In addition to these casinos, Texas also has several racetracks and bingo halls growing in popularity. We’ll make sure to update this section as land-based gambling in Texas hopefully expands in the years to come.
TX Online Casinos FAQ
Is Gambling Online Legal In Texas Penal
How Can I Have A Safe Experience While Gambling Online in Texas For Money?
Since we have already researched where to play casino games online in Texas and have selected ones that offer a safe and secure environment, sticking with our list of recommendations is the most important thing you can do.
Here are other things you can do to ensure your safety at real money Texas online casinos:
- Use a unique password and change it regularly (every couple of months or so should be sufficient).
- Refrain from logging onto your Texas online casinos from a public computer.
- Choose high-quality antivirus software to put on your computer and update it as needed.
- Avoid gambling online with more funds than you can afford to lose.
How Can I Make A Deposit/ Withdrawal at Texas Online Casinos?
All real money online casinos have slightly different banking options. Most online casinos accept major debit/credit card companies like Discover, Mastercard, and Visa. eWallets like Neteller, Paypal, and Skrill are also commonly accepted. Some sites even allow you to use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin. Which method you choose is entirely up to you!
You’ll have to enter your payment method and answer a few security questions to place your deposit or withdrawal. Depending on what banking option you choose, your request could take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days to process.
What Casino Games Are Available at the Best Texas Online Casinos?
When it comes to playing at real money Texas online gambling sites, there is a wide selection of games to choose from:
- Table games
- Keno and bingo
- Slot machines
- Sports betting
- Scratch-offs
Almost all real money Texas casinos online can be played on a mobile device. This wasn’t the case ten years ago, but it is the case today. Thanks to breakthroughs in technology, more and more online casinos are mobile compatible. While some casinos have a dedicated app, others can only be accessed through your device’s web browser.
At What Age Can I Play at Real Money Texas Casino Sites?
Most United States gambling apps and casinos won’t let you create an account on their site unless you’re 21 or older. They ask for your ID as part of the withdrawal process, so there’s no way to get around this rule, either. Waiting until you’re old enough can be frustrating, but it will be worth it.
What Should I Do If a Texas Online Casino Site Tries to Rip Me Off?
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do here. Since online gambling is an unregulated market in America, there’s no one local to report these discrepancies too. That’s why we cannot stress enough how important it is to stick to our list of recommended casinos, as these casinos are safe and trustworthy.