Texas Gambling Highlights

Top San Antonio Casinos: See reviews and photos of casinos & gambling attractions in San Antonio, Texas on Tripadvisor.

Legal Age Online

18+

Online Casinos

Yes

Legal State Lottery

Yes

Legal Sports Betting

No

Summary of Texas Gambling Laws

Penal code 47.01 addresses all gaming board activity in the state. Below are the answers to the most common questions regarding gambling and betting in Texas.

Yes, gambling is legal in Texas. However, there are certain restrictions and limitations. You can legally gamble in all tribal casinos and partake in bingo and raffles. Sports betting is only legal offshore, but wagering on horse-racing and greyhounds is available to residents.

The federal minimum age to be able to gamble is 18. You may encounter many physical locations that will not allow anyone under 21 to enter due to the likelihood of alcohol consumption.

Online gambling is unregulated at the state level in Texas. There is nothing that refers explicitly to online state gambling in penal code 47.01, and the state tribes regulate all gambling. You can play online at offshore casinos if you are a Texas resident.

Yes, Texas has land-based casinos. 20+ land-based casinos are run and regulated by the three tribes in the region: the Alabama-Coushatta, Tigua, and Kickapoo tribes.

Yes, Offshore online casinos are perfectly safe for all Texas residents. You can check out our list of recommended offshore casinos. Each site has been independently investigated and vetted by third party services so you can feel assured you’re safe while playing!

Yes, you need to pay taxes on gambling winnings if you live in Texas. You can find out everything you need to know in our CPA’s gambling taxes article, so you won’t potentially get in trouble for it in the future.

Disclaimer: The information on this page does not, nor does it intend to, constitute legal advice. This page is for learning purposes and may not have the most up-to-date information year-round. Readers should contact their attorney and/or accountant to obtain advice concerning any particular legal matter. Do not take any action without first contacting a lawyer in your state.

Online Gambling in Texas

Currently, Texas-based companies can not operate online casinos or sportsbooks. However, in 2020 a judge deemed the federal ban on sports betting unconstitutional, so there is hope on the horizon for many states.

Offshore casinos are a great way to enjoy gambling online in Texas. Don’t be put off by the term “offshore,” it just means the companies run outside of the US. All sites we promote are secure, trusted, and regulated by legit gaming authorities.

Texas gamblers who are eager to start playing online should visit our recommended offshore casinos today. They have real money slots, table games, and live streaming dealers. Some even have sports betting and poker rooms.

The Best Online Casinos for Texas Players

The table below provides the best offshore casinos for players in Texas. They have top-notch site security and a variety of trusted banking options so that you can play all your favorite real money games with confidence.

Texas Casinos

As is the case with many states, the local tribes regulate and operate all brick-and-mortar locations in Texas. There are 20+ casinos in the state, which is a surprisingly small amount given how big it is.

At these tribal casinos, you can enjoy over 4,535 different slot machines and 65 table games. As Texas progresses, we expect there to be a boom in new establishments.

Finally, single-day “cruises to nowhere” are casinos out in the water that are allowed to legally operate as they are not technically on Texan land and are not subject to the same jurisdictions.

Poker Rooms

If you’re more interested in poker, there are 25+ card rooms and clubs you can join. You may even be able to meet your favorite famous players and other like-minded gamblers.

Map of Texas Casinos & Poker Rooms

This interactive map shows you the location of Texas’s land-based casinos and poker rooms.

Casinos Near Me In Texas Houston

Top Texas Casinos

• Total Casinos: 20+
• Poker Rooms: 25+
• Tribal Casinos: 20+

Any Casinos In Texas

Other Texas Gambling Options

Many gamblers tunnel vision on casino games and sports betting, but there is so much out there to enjoy. Below we cover some other popular gambling options for Texas residents.

Sports Betting

Sportsbooks based in Texas are not permitted. Players can register at offshore online casinos instead. Fantasy bets on sites like DraftKings are also available.

State Lottery

Texas has the second biggest population in the US, and there are colossal prize pools in its state lottery. You can find scratch-offs, Powerball, Mega Millions, and much more!

Race Betting

Wagering on horse races and greyhounds is perfectly legal in Texas. You can place bets at tribal casinos or racetracks.

Charitable Gaming

In Texas, charitable betting is legal. You’ll find raffles and organized bingo nights where proceeds go to a cause.

Parimutuel wagering became legal in 1933 as an attempt to raise revenue following the Great Depression.

It was then banned again in 1937, only to be reintroduced 50 years later in 1987. It has since been a mainstay in Texas gambling.

Legal raffles started in 1990, which paved the way for charitable and social gambling. As of 2011, 1,227 organizations have a permit to host bingo events.

The Texas Lottery and all its subsidiaries, such as Powerball, Mega Millions, etc., were introduced in 1992.

Today, Texas residents can enjoy casino games at any of the tribal casinos in the state or sign up to an offshore online casino and play from home.

Recent Legal Updates & News

Due to an estimated budget shortfall of $4.6 billion in 2020, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, there may be some serious steam in favor of legalizing Texas-based online casinos. There have been rumblings that suggest they could reconsider state-regulated online gambling as soon as 2021.

The new legislation hinges on where the sudden revenue from online gambling will go. If it passes, residents could enjoy even more internet casino sites.

Enjoy Gambling in Texas Today

If you want to play casino games and win money online, we encourage you to sign up at one of our recommended offshore casinos. Their secure and reliable banking methods make gaming a breeze. Create an account today to enjoy slots, blackjack, video poker, sports betting, and more.

Alternately, if you’re in the general vicinity of a casino in Texas, you can’t go wrong visiting a tribal establishment. Their all-inclusive packages provide an excellent time for everyone in a fantastic atmosphere.

Introduction to Texas Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Texas slot machine casino gambling consists of two American Indian tribal casinos with Class II competition-style or bingo-style electronic gaming machines. Carnival cruise ships offer onboard casinos when traveling to international destinations.

Texas does not have theoretical payout limits at its tribal casinos. No return statistics are publicly available.

This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Texas*

The minimum legal gambling age in Texas depends upon the gambling activity:

• Land-Based Casinos: 21
• Poker Rooms: 21
• Bingo: 21 in casinos, 18 in churches, and less than 18 with an adult
• Lottery: 18
• Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

The Texas government and the state’s three federally-recognized tribes have, so far, been unable to negotiate tribal-state compacts. Without these gaming compacts, Texas prohibits tribal casinos from having Class III Vegas-style electronic gaming machines.

However, Texas tribal casinos can offer Class II bingo-style machines. Although these machines appear as traditional slot machines, they are not Class III machines. Players compete for prizes against other players throughout a casino’s gaming floor.

There have been substantial lawsuits by the Texas government to shut down tribal casinos offering Class II gaming, with some successes. Various court filings and rulings regarding the legality of tribal casinos in Texas have continued since the late 1980s.

Texas challenges the legality of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 based on the argument that the federal Restoration Act of 1987 takes legal precedence. This somewhat earlier Restoration Act gave federal recognition to the Tigua and Alabama-Coushatta tribes while also explicitly forbidding gambling.

None of the pari-mutual racetracks in Texas offer electronic gaming machines.

Casinos Near Me In Ohio

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Texas

It is legal to own a slot machine privately in the state of Texas without restriction on its date of manufacture.

Gaming Control Board in Texas

Texas does not have a state gaming commission as it prohibits non-tribal casinos. No tribal-state gaming compact exists. However, the Texas Lottery Commission exists and operates the Texas Lottery.

Casinos in Texas

There are two American Indian tribal casinos in Texas as well as up to five international cruise ships with onboard casinos.

The largest casino in Texas is Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel with 3,300 gaming machines.

The second-largest casino is Naskila Gaming with 365 gaming machines.

Commercial Casinos in Texas

The commercial casinos available in Texas are up to five cruise ships. Onboard casinos are only open while in international waters.

Carnival Cruise Lines operates these cruise ships sailing out of the Port of Galveston.

Tribal Casinos in Texas

The two tribal casinos in Texas are:

• Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel in Eagle Pass located 143 miles southwest from San Antonio.
• Naskila Gaming in Livingston located 74 miles north-northeast from Houston.

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Texas slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Texas is:

• North: Oklahoma Slots
• East, Arkansas Slots, Louisiana Slots, and the Gulf of Mexico
• South: The country of Mexico
• North and West: New Mexico Slots

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Texas.

Our Texas Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Texas? If so, join our Texas slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Texas. Join us!

Payout Returns in Texas

Texas has no theoretical payout limits established as the state prohibits slot machines. Further, no return statistics are available.

Summary of Texas Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Texas slot machine casino gambling consists of two American Indian tribal casinos offering bingo-style video gaming machines. The Port of Galveston offers Carnival cruise ships with onboard casinos open while sailing in international waters.

Neither theoretical payouts nor return statistics exist as Texas prohibits land-based casinos with Vegas-style slot machines.

Annual Progress in Texas Slot Machine Casino Gambling

In the last year, there has been little to no change in the slots gaming industry in Texas.

Related Articles from Professor Slots

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

• Previous: Tennessee Slot Machine Casino Gambling
• Next: U.S. Virgin Islands Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC