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.

Texas Gambling Age – 18 for lottery and bingo games, 21 for racing, and Kickapoo Casino. Smoking Ban – Texas does not have a statewide smoking ban. Online Gambling Status – Horse racing is the only form of legal online gambling. With 27.5 million residents, Texas is America’s second most-populous state. This means that the Lone Star State could make a fortune through gambling taxes. But Texas doesn’t take advantage of this opportunity because they have limited casino gaming and live poker. Not surprisingly, Texas doesn’t have legal internet gambling either. Casino gambling All forms of casino gambling are illegal in Texas. Every game on offer in a casino, from slot machines to poker, blackjack, and roulette, is categorized as gambling and is.

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.

Banning casino and horse track gambling in Texas has not demonstrably discouraged or reduced gambling by Texans; in fact, Texans spend over $2 billion gambling in neighboring states.

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.

Ignition Casino Legal In Texas

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

Legalizing Casino Gambling In Texas

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.

Casino In Texas Legal Law

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.

Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino

• 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

• 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

• 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.

Poker wouldn’t be poker without Texas. After all, without Texas, we’d all just be playing plain old hold’em. Without Texas, we wouldn’t have some of the game’s most enduring legends, such as Doyle Brunson, Amarillo Slim, and WSOP founder Benny Binion.

No-limit Texas Hold’em made Texas an indelible part of poker. Card players in the Lone Star Star love poker, both in land-based casinos and online poker. This page discusses the Internet poker rooms available to Texas poker players in this Guide to Playing Online Poker in Texas.

If you came here looking for how to play online poker in Texas or the tips on the best Texas poker sites, we suggest you read our real-money poker guide.

Current Updates for TX – Laws, Legislation & House Bills

Poker players have fought for legalized poker for years, whether in Texas online poker rooms or in brick-and-mortar establishments. In 2012-2013, Senator Rodney Ellis introduced casino bills that included the legalization of poker, but Ellis received no support from his fellow lamwakers.

Since then, Texan entrepreneurs took the initiative. Private poker clubs have popped up around Texas, mostly in large cities like Houston and Dallas. Players don’t pay a rake or tournament fees. Instead, they pay membership or entrance fee, similar to a country club. The clubs make money from membership fees, seat rental fees, and food and beverage sales.

Poker clubs operate in a grey area. Local law enforcement shut down some poker clubs, but some in other towns remain open and assert their rights legally. A court ruling might decide the law, as the legislature won’t legalize Texas poker anytime soon.

AG Ken Paxton Dithers on Live Poker Rooms

The most recent news out of Texas is that Attorney General Ken Paxton will not be issuing any type of decision regarding the live poker rooms. State Representative Geanie Morrison formally asked Paxton if poker rooms that charge membership fees but don’t charge rake permitted are legal. Paxton officially refused to answer. A spokesperson for his office said that it is a legal matter being litigated in the courts, so courts should resolve the issue.

In 2018, Attorney General Ken Paxton said he would not issue any type of decision regarding the live poker rooms. State Representative Geanie Morrison formally asked Paxton if poker rooms that charge membership fees — but don’t charge rake — are permitted under the current law. Many state lawmakers have been asking the same question, but Paxton officially refused to answer. A spokesperson for his office said that the courts should resolve the issue.

Texas Poker Clubs – A Legal Gray Area

Poker clubs around Texas continued to operate as usual until May 1, 2019.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office and Houston Police Department coordinated to raid the two largest poker clubs in Houston on May 1. Nine owners and managers from the Post Oak Poker Club and Prime Social Poker Club were arrested and charged with money laundering as a part of engaging in organized crime activities. The two clubs’ bank accounts were also frozen and all funds seized. District Attorney Kim Ogg said, “Poker rooms are illegal in the state of Texas.”

Interestingly, however, all charges were dropped in July. All money was returned. The DA’s office commented that the dismissal of charges was the result of “multiple potential conflicts of interest” within her office. It seems that a contract employee of her office also worked for a law firm that tried to extort money from the two poker clubs while conducting an investigation of them. Said law firm – Jones Walker – then became the target of a lawsuit by Prime Social in early September.

Latest Texas Sports Betting Bills

Texas Rep. Eduardo Lucio introduced Texas House Bill 1275 and Texas House Joint Resolution 61 to the House in February 2019. HR 1275 would regulate land-based sports betting and impose a 6.25% tax. HRJ 61 would let Texans vote on a constitutional amendment to legalize sportsbooks through a statewide vote.

Texas Daily Fantasy Sports Laws – Is It Legal?

In January 2016, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that daily fantasy sports gaming was illegal in Texas. FanDuel announced it would no longer offer games to Texans after May 1, 2016. DraftKings filed suit in a Texas court, asking the court to rule DFS legal. That court case has not been resolved yet.

8-Liners in Texas Towns

One other oddity exists on the Texas landscape. Under Texas State law, the gaming machines called 8-Liners or “maquinitas“ are legal if local municipalities approve them. and the owner does not pay winnings in cash. Winners are paid in store credit, gas, or groceries. Despite that limitation, 8-liners generate $5.4 billion in revenues each year.

8-Liners create a problem for local law enforcement. Business owners often pay cash for winnings, which is illegal. Just in the past 3 years alone, Texas law enforcement has raided 8-liner operations for illegal cash payments in the following cities: San Antonio, Poth, Athens, Cap City, Eustace, Seven Points, Tool, Gun Barrel City, San Benito, Rio Grande City, La Joya, Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley, and McAllen.

Texas Poker Sites – Where to Play Online Legally?

Most Texas poker players drive to Oklahoma or Louisiana to gamble. Several of the largest casinos (by gaming space) in the world are located an hour north of Dallas: Winstar Casino in Thackerville and Choctaw Casino in Durant, Oklahoma. The casinos in Bossier City and Shreveport, Louisiana also get most of their business from Dallas-Fort Worth.

Texans who want to know the closest card room should read our list of real money poker rooms.

Is Online Poker Legal in Texas?

As a rule of thumb, a poker site that accepts American players will also accept poker players from Texas. It’s NOT illegal to play online poker in Texas. In fact, unlike Washington, Texas poker players can legally play on offshore poker sites, like Bovada. The only illegal activity is owning or operating a poker room.

The rooms we’ve listed above are Texas-friendly, but they’re far from the only online poker rooms where Texans can play real-money games. Read through our list of online poker — Texas exists in a gray area, but Texans can play at most US-friendly sites.

What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Texas?

Poker players are naturally curious about whether or not playing poker for real money online is legal under Texas law. Offering legal advice is not a function of this website (nor of anyone beyond legal professionals), but we can help you sort through the fundamentals of poker laws in Texas.

What counts as gambling in Texas?

The definition of “bet” (Section 47.01(1)) is short and sweet – it’s when you enter into an understanding “to win or lose something of value” in an activity that involves chance. Specifically, the winning or losing must occur “solely or partially by chance.” The definition includes the phrase “partially by chance,” so a bet is anything with any element of chance. The definition of “gambling device” (Section 47.01(4) clarifies the law further.

Making illegal bets is a misdemeanor in Texas (Section 47.02). Those who break the law could face a half-dozen separate charges. Gambling promotion (Section 47.03) is a misdemeanor, and covers operating, promoting, processing bets and selling lottery chances. Possession of Gambling Device, Equipment, or Paraphernalia (Section 47.06) is also a misdemeanor.

Will Texas Regulate Internet Poker?

Are Casino Legal In Texas

It’s unlikely Texas will regulate online poker. Texas proponents of land-based casino gambling faced a long fight in the past. Texas online poker is even further away from approval.

Texas Gambling Facts

Online Casino Legal In Texas

Texas regulates lottery betting and pari-mutuel bets on racing, and charitable gambling (raffles and games of bingo).

Tribal gambling is complicated. Naskila Gaming at Livingston owned by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino at Eagle Pass, and Speaking Rock Entertainment by the Tigua Tribe of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo each operate casino gaming. All three tribes are embroiled in multi-year legal battles with the state of Texas.

Purely social gambling in a private place or regulated gambling activity is legal, if the house makes no profit.

All Poker and Gambling Laws by State

• News in the online realm of the gambling industry regarding billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson typically revolves around his avid dislike of online gambling. The idea of online casino games has inspired him to spend tens of millions – at a minimum – of dollars to fight it from the

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• July 11th, 2018

  Poker rooms operating in Texas have no plans to shut down. They believe in their right to operate enough to take it to the courts if they must. The loopholes in the law, in addition to the antiquated laws surrounding poker in Texas, may be challenged in just that way,

  Read Full
• May 8th, 2018

  Poker players in Texas know how to find games. Whether they travel to neighboring states that allow casinos and card rooms or locate underground games closer to home, there are ways to play poker. Some have found a different avenue. With some legal advice and personal determination, a number of

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• October 20th, 2017

  Texas is one of the few states in America that does not permit poker rooms, clubs, or games with any type of money involved. Despite the global popularity of Texas Hold’em, the state itself has yet to consider any true poker legalization measures. Only one casino operates in Texas, and

  Read Full

Texas’ Forms of Regulated Internet Gambling

This is a much shorter list, as the state of Texas does not regulate any form of online gambling activity. As noted in our earlier section discussing the likelihood that Texas will regulate online poker, there’s almost certainly quite a bit of daylight between now and a time when Texas is issuing licenses to online gambling operators.

Additional Research on Texas Gambling

Texas Tribune: Gaming/Gambling. Dedicated section from the Texas Tribune covering all in-state gaming and gambling issues. Includes news and interviews with major industry players.

Senator Rodney Ellis . Internet home of Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston), the driving force behind a proposal that would allow voters to decide whether or not to bring casinos to Texas.

Texas Lottery . Official website for the state lottery of Texas contains winning numbers along with a wealth of historical and statistical data about the lottery.

Texas’ and the History of Poker

It’s hard for a state to be any more integral to the game of poker than Texas. After all, the state name is right smack at the start of what is by far the most popular format of modern poker: Texas Hold’em. The “Godfather” of poker, Doyle Brunson, is still better known to some poker fans as Texas Dolly. The subject of one of the most epic poker matches (and stories) in history – Andy Beal – is (you guessed it) a card-carrying Texan. We could go on.

Poker is now by and large an underground activity in Texas, so the state doesn’t get the same spotlight as your Las Vegas or your Atlantic City. But we can guarantee that if the same laws existed in Texas as Nevada, you might quickly see the center of the American poker universe gravitate a bit closer to the Lone Star State.

Sources & Citations For This Article on Texas Online Poker