Is Gambling Legal In Texas

• Is Gambling Legal In Texas
• Is Internet Gambling Legal In Texas
• Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Texas
• Is Sports Gambling Legal In Texas

Apr 15, 2018 Gambling is generally prohibited in Texas but there are many exceptions to the general rule. Game rooms are generally authorized so long as they do not have illegal gambling devices. Specifically, so-called 'eight-liner' machines are illegal gambling devices, unless the prizes awarded are non-cash items that are worth no more than 10 times the cost. Texas is a big place with a big personality. Tall hats, tall hair, and tall tales are what the state is known for. Gambling laws in Texas, however, are not so grand.If you are interested in knowing, 'Is online gambling legal in Texas?' read on.

Texas outlawed almost all forms of gambling during Prohibition in the 1920s when vice laws became prevalent in Texas. This move towards outlawing vices like alcohol, prostitution, gambling, and narcotics became prevalent in this once wild country.

Legal online gambling in Texas and all the laws that are changing has caused quite a bit of confusion. As with most states, there is the frequent questioning of how existing gambling laws pertain to online gambling due not only to the lack of precedence, but also due to no law specifically banning online gambling. Texans who are aiming to gamble online will find that there are options available that do not technically violate the law. Rather than just showing you where you can gamble, this page is designed to show you that you are not likely to violate the laws by participating in these games.

NFL Betting In Texas

With a few NFL teams here in Texas, all the fans here know that a big moment is here for them as the NFL betting in Texas is one of the most profitibale times of the year. There will be exciting games every weekend including the Cowboys and the Texans which both are home teams for the state of Texas. Sportsbooks everywhere in Texas and online sportsbooks are still the best options for bettors who love NFL games. With all that being said, there are bonuses and great deposit options with these sites with many NFL games. Most of the time players have enough money to bet on any game they want so when the season begins, money will be made left and right.

Online Gambling Age For Texas Residents

As with many states, Texas has a list of various age requirements on different games. The state of Texas has made it so several age limits have to be followed. For starters, land-based casinos and poker rooms have age requirements of being 21. This goes for casino-based bingo and any sportsbooks that might open in the future, as well. The limited forms of gambling that can take place at 18 include charity bingo, the lottery, greyhound racing, and horse racing.

Of course, once you use an offshore online gambling site, you can enjoy all disciplines at 18 and older, including sports betting, casino gaming, poker playing, horse racing betting, and more. Local state gambling age laws do not apply to offshore casino sites operating over the Internet.

Texas Online Gambling Laws

In Texas, there are currently no laws that have specifically banned online gambling. This is why the state of affairs related to gambling is as confusing as it is - there is nothing that says you will be arrested for gambling online. While this does not guarantee that these games are technically legal, there has been no evidence that these games are actually illegal. If a law is written to change this, we will update our page to reflect any legislation that has changed. For now, however, Texas Statutes Title 10, Chapter 47 explains the current TX gambling laws.

Gambling Sites That Accept Texas Residents

If you decide that it is worth the theoretical risk to gamble online, you will find that there are many options that offer access to residents in the state of Texas. We have found that sports betting sites, casinos, poker rooms, and bingo halls alike can all be played in the state of Texas. With all of these options available, fun is guaranteed, as is your safety and security. The top gambling sites for TX residents include sportsbooks like Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and BookMaker, as well as dedicated casino sites like Lucky Red, Slots.lv, AllStarSlots, Aladdin's Gold, and several others. Below, you can find our recommendations for the best Texas 2021 online gambling sites.

Bovada: Offering The Widest Variety Of Online Casino Games

Bovada is one of the most known online betting sites out there. One thing that grabs a lot of bettors' attention is the casino that has on its site. This is where you feel like you are in an actual casino playing a lot of money and can collect and an extra paycheck. You have different options in this casino like slots, blackjack games and even live dealer games. Make sure you are of an age when you try to sign up as well. The age requirement is 18 and older. Once you are of age you can participate in any casino games you would like. The quicker you can join, the more money you can make. Go To Bovada!

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BetOnline: No One Treats Players As Well As They Do

They say everything is bigger in Texas. I think that's definitely true for playing online gambling. I know I love to get scratch-offs and bet a few dollars on games, and sometimes it's tough to find that one perfect site that has all the little things for players like me. If you're like me and want to win more than just a little pocket change, I suggest you try BetOnline, the best overall gambling site in the Lone Star State. When you sign up for free at BetOnline, you can wager on games, play all kinds of real-cash card games, take on dozens of different table games, and even play some slots. You're betting real money, on real odds, and winning real cash payouts.

Well, I know what you're thinking, how do I get this real money? Well, first you've got to put some cash in to play with. At BetOnline, you can do this via a number of avenues, but the most popular deposit methods lately have been cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, and DASH. Now, let me explain how you can cash out your winnings. BetOnline has the largest selection of payout types in the industry, however because of certain laws, transfers directly to credit cards are prohibited. Of course, BetOnline has numerous easy ways to get you your money, like checks, cash wire transfers, Bitcoin and crypto payouts, money orders, and many more. Texas residents who sign up for free today can get a 50% welcome bonus worth up to $1000 in free-plays! Go To BetOnline!

50% - $1,000

ALL STATES

Online Casinos That Accept Texas Residents

Texas online casinos are available for players to hit the slots, roll the dice, spin the wheels, and draw the cards. Texans will find that online casinos have directly emulated land-based casinos, offering players a way to participate in the most popular games, just like they were in Las Vegas. We have documented many online casinos in order to help players find a way to participate. The top casinos are comprised of the sports betting sites and dedicated casino gaming sites listed above (Bovada, Lucky Red, etc.). All of these sites accept TX residents, and all of them offer membership rewards, attentive customer service, and guaranteed payouts. See all online casinos that accept USA players.

Online Sports Betting Sites That Accept Texas Residents

Sports betting is not something that can be easily found via a land-based solution in the Lone Star State (though this could change in the near future as the Supreme Court overturn of PASPA, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, means that TX – like all other US states – may institute and regulate its own sports betting industry any time it pleases).

However, by visiting online sportsbooks, you will find that there are easy ways to win money betting on sports in TX. If you decide to bet on sports, you will see that the sportsbooks available offer many of the exact lines that can be found in sportsbooks in Las Vegas, as well as many other odds and lines that are even superior to those out west. Top sports betting websites serving Texas include Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, and more. See all sports betting sites accepting USA players.

Online Poker Sites That Accept Texas Residents

None of the online poker rooms listed on this site carry bad reputations, as we have only offered our readers the chance to participate in the best of the best. With these poker rooms, we can guarantee you a fair shot at winning, as we have made sure that every site on our list offers only certified, fair-play-based, automated gambling software. These sites are periodically audited by industrial watchdogs, so you can rest assured that every amusement available is on the up and up.

The best online poker sites that accept TX residents are actually the sportsbook products already mentioned, sites like Bovada and BetOnline, for example. As a general rule, if you want live, real-dealer poker against other human competitors, you'll need to go with a major sportsbook. If instead you'd rather play all kinds of themed video poker offerings, the more casino-based sites (Lucky Red, Aladdin's Gold, etc.) are the way to go.

Online Bingo Sites That Accept Texas Players

Even if it is not the most popular form of gambling, bingo is something that is played nearly daily in rec centers and retirement homes. However, those environments are not appropriate for all bingo players, and you may not want to go gamble in a physical brick-and-mortar location in the first place. To that end, there are plenty of bingo halls that allow players to hit the cards over the Internet. While winning may require a fair bit of luck, there is a definite possibility that a substantial jackpot can be won through these digital bingo halls. The best bingo halls you'll find are located on the Internet at 5Dimes and Downtown Bingo, with the latter being dedicated to bingo like no other site out there.

Is Online Gambling Legal In Texas?

Texas state law has no prohibitive measures when it comes to using the internet to gamble. The state defines gambling as risking something of value on an outcome based solely or partially on chance and prohibits anyone from facilitating the activity. But state laws only apply to state-based persons who would be offering these types of activities. Using an online, offshore gambling site allows residents to conveniently, safely, and most importantly, legally gamble online. Whether you're using an online casino or poker room, betting on sports or playing some bingo, these sites fall outside of the purview of Texas state law, so you have nothing to worry about.

Are Online Casinos Legal In Texas?

As it turns out, it seems that online casinos are legal in Texas. Having browsed the state's statutes, we can tell you that there is no written mention of online casinos anywhere within the text. Best bitcoin casino usa. We have looked into both the criminal code and gaming regulations and we have found nothing that has led us to believe the games are not legal in the state.

Is Online Horse Racing Betting Legal In Texas?

Pari-mutuel wagering in Texas is legal at both online and land-based locations. Residents in Texas can easily log on to an online racebook and place bets on their favorite horses in races taking place across the country. We recommend online, offshore racebooks. These sites will be able to offer you lines on both domestic and international races, expanding the number of races you will be able to bet on during the season. The best racebooks, not surprisingly, are located at the top sportsbook services, with sites like Bovada and SportsBetting leading the way.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Texas? https://macossoftwineseggsometricek.peatix.com.

There is nothing in the Texas legislature that has made it a crime for you to bet on sports over the Internet. Texans will find that there are many online sportsbooks, allowing players to wager on everything from baseball to football to hockey, with many other options in between.

Which Site Is Best For Betting On The Cowboys? The Texans?

There are several sports betting sites that advertise betting on NFL games, and all do provide it. That said, there are a few sites which are better than others. That matters because Texas residents take Cowboys and Texans games very seriously. Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth are two football-rabid cities with fanbases that live and die with their teams. We know football and football fans – after all, we have our allegiances, too. The two sites we recommend above all others for first-time bettors are Bovada and SportsBetting. Both sites have lines for Texans and Cowboys games for every week of the season, including props and future betting odds. In particular, Bovada has one of the best sites for live betting on NFL games, while Sportsbetting.ag has unlimited deposit bonuses along with a wide array of lines on games. Texas residents are welcome at both sites and have easy deposit/payout methods at their disposal.

Is Online Poker Legal In Texas?

Poker players can turn to the Internet in order to play their games, and you will find that many card rooms exist on the Internet. The ever famous Texas Hold 'Em is one option for play, though there are many others. If you decide to go with these poker rooms that accept Texas residents, you will find that there are only a few reliable and trustworthy sites available, but we have done what we can to show you the best. These include real-money, live-dealer, multiplayer poker at the top sportsbook sites (Bovada et al.) and themed video poker offerings at the more casino-oriented sites (Lucky Red, etc.).

Will I go to jail for online gambling in Texas?

We have never once heard of an arrest over online gambling in the state of Texas, and we doubt you will be the first. Since we have found that there are no laws making any form of online gambling explicitly illegal, you should not stress yourself over whether or not you will be indicted or brought to charges for gambling on the Internet.

Funding Your Legal Online Gambling Site

When funding your account at the legal online gambling site you're using, there are a number of different options to choose from. No one option is better than the other, it's just about what you're most comfortable with. Using a credit or debit card is most common, as they are extremely easy to use.

Occasionally, however, credit and debit cards can get declined because of the federal law UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, 2006). This banking regulation allows for financial institutions to block card transactions when they suspect it is being used to fund online gambling. Online gambling sites that are legal are completely safe, but sometimes the government likes to stick its nose where it doesn't belong. If your card is declined, however, it will often go through if you try again a bit later.

Fortunately, there are ways to avoid this inconvenience altogether. Using a prepaid card is the closest alternative to credit or debit cards. These cards are not processed by banks, so their deposits will never be declined. If you get one that is reloadable, you're set to go. (Just make sure the gift card or prepaid card you choose allows for international purchases, as not all of them offer this feature.) Mailing in a check or money order is also a handy way of funding your gambling site. Or you can use the digital currencies Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, or DASH. These are convenient, safe banking methods that will not be declined and will fund your account in relatively short order. Bitcoin is definitely our personal preference when loading up our accounts or receiving payouts.

Mobile Texas Gambling Apps

With everything from simple games to banking and investment apps on our smartphones these days, it can only be expected that we would want our gambling sites to travel around in our pockets as well. Mobile Texas gambling sites generally don't come in apps, but you will be able to find a number of gambling sites that have corresponding mobile sites. Designed to work with any operating system, these sites are browser-based. You can have an iPhone, Android, or still be rocking a Blackberry. As long as you have Internet access, you'll have access to your favorite sites' mobile betting interfaces. All of the sites recommended on this page have mobile gambling for Texas bettors.

FAQ's

Does The Wire Act Make Sports Betting Illegal?

The Wire Act does not make sports betting illegal. The Wire Act (1961) prevents people from taking bets over a wire of communication. This law only applies to the person who is accepting the wager. Its main purpose was to limit bets from crossing state lines, in an effort to slow the spread of unlawful mob racketeering. It has no effect on online, offshore sportsbooks, as they are under the authority of the country they are based in.

How Can I Legally Bet On The 2017 Kentucky Derby?

You can legally bet on the Kentucky Derby in a number of different ways. Traveling to Churchill Downs to bet at the historic racecourse is always an option. But if you don't want to travel to Kentucky, you can easily use a local simulcast facility or, better yet, an online racebook. These sites provide more lines than you would find at the track or at an OTB shop. You'll find more exotic wagering options as well. Online racebooks are safe and legal for Texas residents to use. All the top TX offshore sportsbooks have racebooks as well, and they all have full coverage of the Triple Crown races and other races of all levels of national and international prominence.

What Currencies Can I Use To Fund My Account?

Most online gambling sites base their deposit and wager limits on US dollars. You can use whichever currency you'd like, however, to fund your account. Using something like Bitcoin or Litecoin, which are digital cryptocurrencies, is simple enough, as the book will convert the funds for you when you make a deposit. Funds will be converted back to their original form when you request your payout, based on the conversion rate available at the time of the payout. Because crypto carries high limits and virtually no added fees, it is our singular preference for all things banking at online Texas gambling sites.

How Old Do I Have To Be To Play At An Online Casino?

Each state has its own gambling ages to stick to and Texas is no exception. In this state, the legal gambling age is 21 for casino games. This applies to only land-based, in-state casinos (and, in the future, sportsbooks as well). However, if you use an online sportsbook or betting site that is located overseas, these regulations do not apply. Most Texas betting sites and offshore casinos merely require their customers to be 18 in order to sign up and play for real money.

Can I Play Poker With Other Players For Real Money?

Yes, you can play poker with other players for real money. Online poker rooms offer players the ability to play games on a trial basis without any real money, but once you make a deposit to your account, you can begin playing for real money. Most online poker rooms will have tables with varying limits, so all you have to do is choose the limit you're comfortable with and begin to play your favorite games. All winnings from these games can be withdrawn whenever you like.

https://casinoslotskugossipopolis-deposit.peatix.com. 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.

But offshore gaming sites still target their large market.

Online Gambling and Texas Law

Texas doesn't address internet gambling in their criminal code. Furthermore,
they don't mention the words 'computer,' 'internet,' or 'online.'

But this doesn't mean that internet gambling is legal here. In fact, the
state's broad laws make it illegal for offshore gaming sites to operate within
their borders.

We'll cover this and other important aspects of the state's online gaming
stance below.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Texas?

Let's begin with code 47.03 of the criminal code, which states that a person
'commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly does any of the following
acts:'

• Earns profits from a 'gambling place.'
• Bookmaking.
• Earns profits from being 'a custodian of anything of value bet or offered to be bet.'
• 'Sells chances' on any game, contest, or political nomination.
• Sets up and runs a lottery.

The first-time charge for any of these offenses is a Class A misdemeanor,
which is a light punishment for illegal gambling operators.

Nevertheless, it's clear that Texas doesn't allow any form of gaming beyond
what they've specifically approved. Internet gambling doesn't fall under this
umbrella, therefore it's technically illegal in the state.

Why do Gambling Sites Operate in Texas?

As just discussed, offshore gaming sites are not considered legal
in the Lone Star State, but they continue to
operate here for three main reasons:

1. Texas doesn't have a regulated iGaming market.
2. Texas hasn't taken legal action against offshore sites.
3. The Texas Constitution doesn't specifically make internet gambling illegal.

Craps system that works. These three conditions are present in most states, which is why most of them
are served by offshore operators.

Even Louisiana, South Dakota, and Washington – which explicitly outlaw online
gambling – have problems with offshore sites.

This means that the threat of legal action is the biggest condition to
whether internet gambling sites serve a state.

Texas has never pursued legal action against offshore sites, and the status
quo is likely to continue for a while.

Will I be Arrested for Gambling Online in Texas?

It's possible, but there's almost no chance that you'll be arrested.

Code 47.02 states a gambling offense occurs if somebody:

1. '… makes a bet on the
   partial or final result of a game or contest or on the performance of a
   participant in a game or contest.'
2. '… makes a bet on the
   result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or on the degree of
   success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate.'
3. '… plays and bets for
   money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any
   other gambling device.'

Anybody who commits one of these offenses is subject to a Class C
misdemeanor. Exceptions are made for those who engage in social gambling and /
or are involved in a skill-based contest where everybody has the same chance.

Perhaps an argument can be made that online poker falls into this category
because it's skill-based. But by and large, internet gambling is illegal in the
Lone Star State.

Nevertheless, they haven't arrested anybody for playing online casino games
or placing sports bets. This gives us confidence that you won't be arrested for
the activity.

Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a 2011 opinion that the
Wire Act – a
federal ban on certain types of gambling – only applies to sports betting.

Are Offshore Gaming Sites Safe?

This depends upon the specific site you're dealing with. But for the most
part, offshore gambling sites are safe.

The risk comes when considering that offshore sites are based outside of the
U.S. This means that they're neither licensed in America nor directly subject to
U.S. laws.

The matter can be scarier given that a small percentage of nefarious
operators have closed without repaying player deposits.

But here's the thing: most offshore operators realize the value in repeat
business.

If they don't have good customer service or process cashouts in a timely
manner, they'll receive less repeat players. Long story short, you can have
confidence that most internet gambling sites will serve you well.

How Do I Pick the Best Gaming Sites?

To choose safe gaming sites, you should read reviews of any prospective site.
The more reviews you read, the better you'll be able to make an informed
deposit.

Another thing you should do is visit the site directly and look for certain
aspects. Reviews are great, but it's even more effective if you do research
yourself.

Here are some key points that you want to look for:

• Longevity and Reputation –

  The longer a site is in business, the more likely it is that they properly serve
  players. And when you combine this with a good reputation (via reviews), you
  have a winning site.

• Game Variety –

  Everybody
  loves a nice variety of games. This is why you want to visit a site and see if
  they have the games / sports lines you want.

• Banking Options –

  If real
  money iGaming is your goal, then you need to make sure that there's a deposit
  option you can use.

• Customer Support –

  This is
  a key point covered in reviews. You can also visit directly and live-chat with
  customer service to see how friendly and knowledgeable they are.

• Bonuses & Promotions –

  It's
  always exciting to earn cash on the side of your play. Check out the welcome
  bonus and promotions at any site you're interested in.

• Bonus Terms & Conditions –

  Click the terms and conditions underneath the welcome bonus to see what wagering
  requirements must be met. The industry standard for online casino bonuses is 40x
  rollover (or 20x bonus + deposit).

Also On This Page

More Gambling Laws in Texas

• Casino Games (Class II Legal)
• Sports Betting (Illegal)
• Poker (Legal)
• Racing Betting (Legal)
• Lottery (Legal)
• Bingo (Legal)
• Charitable Gambling (Legal)
• Social Gambling (Legal)

Casinos: Legal

Texas only has two casinos spread throughout its vast 269,596 square miles.
This includes the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino and Aransas Queen cruise ship.

The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle is located along the Mexican border and offers Class
II gaming. Class II machines are similar to regular slot machines, except that
results are determined by historic horse races or electronic bingo cards
(instead of random number generators).

The Aransas Queen is a huge yacht that began sailing out of Corpus Christi in
2015. They're only allowed to offer gaming when in international waters.

It remains to be seen how successful the Aransas Queen will be. Texas has had
multiple gambling cruises that have failed over the years.

This includes the Le Mistral, the original gambling cruise ship that set sail
from Galveston in 1988; it went bankrupt in 1994.

Several other Texas gambling cruises have either gone bankrupt or moved to
different states seeking more profitability.

Charitable Gambling: Legal

Under the Charitable Raffle Enabling Act, Texas allows licensed charities to
offer bingo and raffles. Unfortunately, this means that casino nights and Texas
hold'em tournaments are out of the question.

Lottery: Legal

Legalized in 1992, the Texas Lottery sells a wide range of instant and
drawing games. Available games include: All or Nothing, Cash Five, Daily 4, Pick
3, Mega Millions, Powerball, Texas Triple Chance, and Texas Two Step.

Poker: Legal

The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino has a small poker room. Other than this, the
only ways to play poker in Texas include offshore gaming sites and social games.

Racing: Legal

Texas is one of the few states that offers active horse and dog racing
tracks. They currently have four tracks operating in the state.

Social Gambling: Legal

Code 47.02 of the Texas criminal code includes exemptions for social gaming.
These include the following:

1 – 'The actor engaged in gambling in a private place.'

2 – 'No person received any economic benefit other than personal winnings.'

3 – 'Except for the advantage of skill or luck, the risks of losing and the
chances of winning were the same for all participants.'

As long as the host isn't profiting from your social gambling function
through a house edge, food, or drinks, the game should be fine. Also, make sure
that no illegal firearms or drugs are on the premises.

Gambling Venues in Texas

As discussed before, Texas only has two casinos – the Aransas Queen cruise and
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle.

Lucky Eagle is by far the largest of these casinos, sporting over 3,300 Class
II gaming machines. But it's also in the remote Lucky Pass area on the Mexican
border, making it difficult for many Texans to visit.

Aransas Queen has over 200 gaming machines and some table games. This mega
yacht must reach international waters before gambling commences.

In addition to two casinos, Texas also offers Class II pull tab machines at
parlors in the Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio areas.

These are electronic pull tab machines that look and play like slot machines.
One stipulation to these games is that individual payouts can't be any larger
than $5.

Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel

794 Lucky Eagle Drive

Eagle Pass, TX 78852

History of Gambling in Texas

Is Gambling Legal In Texas

Dating back to when U.S. settlers arrived in Mexican Texas, the territory was
filled with brothels, saloons, and gambling halls. This continued long after
Texas became a state in 1845.

Professional gamblers like 'Doc' Holliday and 'Lottie Deno' Thompkins roamed
the plains of Texas in the mid and late 1800s.

The Lone Star State finally began cracking down on vices in the early 1900s.
Most gambling halls were banned and closed by 1917.

Texas didn't officially legalize any gambling activities until 1933, when
they approved pari-mutuel betting. Just four years later, the state voted to
shut down pari-mutuel wagering.

The see sawing continued in 1987, when Texas legalized pari-mutuel gambling
for good.

The state also has a strange history with tribal casinos. With help from the
federal government, they shut down the Tigua Tribe's Speaking Rock casino in
2002.

But the Kickapoo Casino has been in operation ever since 1996 because they
offer Class II gaming. Governor George W. Bush questioned the validity of this
casino, but the Kickapoo won a pre-emptive lawsuit against the state.

Texas also legalized casino cruise ships in 1988, but ships were originally
forced to visit a foreign port of call (Mexican villages) before docking in
Texas. This only lasted a year before Galveston officials got the port of call
portion repealed.

Despite their limited gambling, Texas has had activity on the iGaming
legislative front.

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton has introduced federal online poker legislation twice.
Texas also had two other iGaming bills introduced in 2013, but none of these
efforts came to fruition.

Texas Gambling FAQs

With no specific laws addressing internet gambling and a host of available
offshore sites, Texas iGaming is confusing to many gamblers.

Here are some FAQs we've received on the Lone Star State that can help clear
up the matter.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Texas?

According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, daily fantasy sports (DFS)
aren't legal. Here's an excerpt from his
January
2016 letter:

'Because the outcomes of games in daily fantasy sports leagues depends
partially on chance, an individual's payment of a fee to participate in such
activities is a bet. Accordingly, a court would likely determine that
participation in daily fantasy sports is illegal gambling.'

DraftKings, the industry's largest site, has refused to take this ruling
lying down. They launched a lawsuit against Paxton and continue to operate in
the Lone Star State; FanDuel, however, exited Texas.

State Rep. Richard Raymond introduced legislation that would've classified
DFS as a skill based activity, but House Bill 1457 failed to gain any serious
attention.

When Will Texas Legalize Online Gambling?

It could be a decade or more.

Texas isn't receptive of new forms of gambling. The casinos and gaming
parlors they have skirt state laws by offering Class II machines that operate
through loopholes.

With no commercial casino industry to lobby for internet gambling, it seems
unlikely that the activity will be available any time soon.

Strangely enough, though, Texas has had federal legislative efforts come out
of their state.

U.S. Representative Joe Barton (R-Tex.) proposed the Online Poker Act of
2011, which would've legalized online poker on a federal level. But HR-2366
didn't get any significant attention in Congress.

In 2013, Barton introduced another legislative effort called the Poker
Freedom Act. This also sought to regulate internet poker on a federal level,
while leaving online casino games up to individual states.

The same year saw former State Senator Leticia van de Putte introduce State
Bill No. 1103. This legislation would've allowed states to opt in to federally
legalized internet poker.

None of Texas' iGaming bills have gotten very far. But they do show that
state politicians at least consider the matter.

Looking at Texas today, though, we don't see them regulating online gaming
for another 10 years.

Why Doesn't Texas Bust Internet Gambling Sites?

Texas will bust an online gambling operation – they just haven't shown the
willingness to cross seas to do it.

In 2013, state police raided a
$5 billion online sports betting operation in the North Texas area.

The eighteen-member ring accepted both online and in-person bets, making $200
million in profits from 2007 to 2011.

The main reason why this group was busted is because they operated on US
soil.

It's an entirely different ballgame to pursue offshore gaming sites operating
in countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, and Panama. The only state
that has successfully done this is New York, which was backed by the U.S.
Department of Justice.

Because of their size, Texas has the resources to pursue offshore gambling
sites. But like most other American states, they view other things as more
important than chasing gambling sites.

Is Internet Gambling Legal In Texas

Can I Gamble on my Smartphone or Tablet in Texas?

Gambling on your smartphone isn't technically legal. But we don't see you
ever being arrested for it.

Code 47.01 (4) states the following about illegal gambling devices:

'…means any electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical contrivance not
excluded under Paragraph (B) that for a consideration affords the player an
opportunity to obtain anything of value, the award of which is determined solely
or partially by chance, even though accompanied by some skill, whether or not
the prize is automatically paid by the contrivance.'

This could include a smartphone or tablet if Texas felt like pursing mobile
gamblers. But they've never arrested anybody for internet gambling, and we don't
see this changing anytime soon.

Additional Resources

Here's information on Texas gaming agencies and where you can find the
state's gambling laws.

This website features many laws related to Texas' gambling industry.

This page covers multiple gambling-related FAQs with Texas State Attorney
General Ken Paxton.

This page offers a comprehensive look at laws for Texas bingo, general
gambling, lotteries, and racing.

The Texas Racing Commission website features information on the state's dog
and horse racing industries.

The Future

Texas features most forms of gambling, although they're very limited in the
casino, pari-mutuel, and poker categories.

The Lone Star State has been conservative on the gambling front ever since
the lawless 1800s. This means that they're slow to adapt to new forms of gaming.

The same holds true for internet gambling because Texas hasn't legalized
casino games, poker, or daily fantasy sports.

Surprisingly, Texas has had politicians try to legalize online poker on a
federal level. But these efforts have never earned a serious look.

Odds are that iGaming will never be legalized on a federal level until the
state has commercial casinos. This has been an absolute condition thus far in
Gsn casino com. regulated states like Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey.

Is Online Sports Gambling Legal In Texas

Given that Texas has no immediate plans for casinos, this alone could take 5
to 10 years to happen. Then, we're looking at a few more years until the Lone
Star State regulates internet gambling.

Is Sports Gambling Legal In Texas

Until that happens, you're free to enjoy offshore gaming sites, because Texas
ignores both operators and players.