Is It Legal To Gamble In Texas

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.

No doubt, many people gamble online throughout the U.S., including Texas. Some believe that games like poker are games of skill, not chance. I wouldn't 'bet' on poker being legal unless there was some case law in the state where a judge determined it was or was not. So, the conservative answer is that gambling online in Texas is illegal.

  1. Texas casinos and gambling information including poker tournaments, slots info, pari-mutuel (dogs & horses), texas hold'em, and more. Find contact information and view pictures of casinos in Texas.
  2. The second biggest is Naskila Entertainment. However, players have a better chance of getting the best casino entertainment online. That is why we have this Texas gambling guide to help players. Read on for all the rules, regulations, forms of legal gambling, best casinos, and more in the Lone Star State. Casinos to Gamble Online in Texas.

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.

RankOnline CasinoKey InfoBonus InfoVisit Casino
#1
  • Excellent Payout Speeds
  • 280% Welcome Bonus
  • Brand New Casino
#2
  • Caters to US Customers
  • 150% Welcome Bonus
  • Great Customer Service
#3
  • Large Selection of Slots
  • Variety of Banking Options
  • 300% Bonus up to $6,000
#4
  • 250% First Deposit Bonus
  • Fast Payout Times
  • Large Selection of Games
#5
  • Instant Play & Download
  • Over 250+ Online Slots
  • 4-8 Hr. Payout Time

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.

We believe a casino’s user feedback can give you major insight into their overall quality. If nothing else, user reviews highlight the casinos’ pros and cons.

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 only recommend casinos with a wide selection of safe online banking methods, including credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies.

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.

We scoured the internet for examples of people who got in trouble for playing at real money Texas casino sites and came up short. This shows us that it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll ever get arrested for this action.

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.

Gamble

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.

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.

If you're looking for help with the Texas gambling laws, this page looks to function as exactly what you need. In it is information that can be obtained by reading the Texas Statutes, but not in the same hard to understand language that lawmakers like to use, but rather in plain English that even someone from who graduated from the University of Oklahoma could understand. This should help Texas residents get a firm hold on what types of gambling are available, and even which options are better than another. This info even extends to the realm of online gambling, as many have no idea that it is perfectly safe to do especially when using any of the trusted betting sites shown here on TexasGamblingSites.com. With work to do, let's get rolling.

Unfortunately for Texas residents, all forms of gambling other than a state run lottery, charitable bingo halls and pari-mutuel wagering on horses and greyhounds, are prohibited. The good news however is that the state follows suit with the federal laws in that it only prosecutes those engaged in the business of gambling or those who facilitate bets, not those who only place bets or do not take a rake off of gambling situations. The Texas Statutes define when a resident is in violation of a gambling offense under 47.02.(a) unless meeting the conditions defined under 47.02.(b) which can be used as an acceptable defense.

What is the most prevalent information to glean from these legal passages is that Texas residents can in fact wager and place bets so long as it is in a private place, nothing is gained other than personal winnings and the chances of winning or losing were the same for everyone involved. This appears to make it perfectly legal for locals of the Lone Star State to play poker games at home or even wager on sports games among friends without fear of prosecution so long as there is no bookmaking and income generated other than winnings. Texas gambling laws on bookmaking are defined under 47.01.(2) in the Texas Statutes. So long as residents do not engage in activities described by the gambling laws in Texas, they will be left alone to bet as they wish.

There are no state sanctioned full casinos in Texas but there are a number of legal bingo halls which are licensed by the Texas Lottery Commission. The Texas Racing Commission oversees pari-mutuel betting within the state through horse and greyhound racing but these centers for state sanctioned wagering appear to be on the decline. Gambling is however legal within a tribal casino of which Texas hosts just one. The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas operates a full service casino which offers slots, table games and poker, all legally under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

Land-Based Gambling In Texas

Options for based gambling in the vast spaces of the Lone Star State are few and far between but options do exist. The Texas gambling regulations allow state sanctioned bingo halls or pari-mutuel racetracks operate , however these only operate a few days per week and winnings are usually capped. There will be no traditional casino games at these locations and bettors will not find any poker or sports betting opportunities. When it comes to wanting to gamble in a brick and mortar establishment, there is only one legal choice which is hosted by the Kickapoo Native American tribe. They operate the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, Texas which is two hours south of San Antonio and feature the state's only legal live poker room. The casino also hosts bingo and a variety of electronic games. In essence, the only legal place to play a hand of Texas Hold'em in Texas is either at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino or within a private Texas residence where there is no house rake.

Online Gambling In Texas

Through all of Texas' anti-gambling laws, there is no mention of online gambling. If residents review the laws of what is in place for land based gambling and apply the private residence exceptions, it appears that online gambling within the state of Texas is 100% legal so long as only sites which are based outside of both Texas and U.S. federal jurisdiction. There are also no recorded instances of any sort of investigations or prosecutions of Texas residents betting on the internet. Online gambling has its obvious benefits for Texas residents in that all forms of gambling are available to locals whether it be sports betting, poker or even traditional casino games. There are a range of different online gambling sites available as well which are scattered across the globe and in operation from safe locations. Most sites are based in places such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and Central and South America. Many of these sites are even designed specifically to cater to an American audience despite their locations outside of the United States.

Popular Gambling Options In Texas:

Online Sportsbooks - Online Casinos - Online Poker

Bovada - Best All-Around Legal Gambling Site For Texas

One respected online gambling site which has remained popular with Texas residents as well as other Americans alike, is Bovada. This particular service has been operating for nearly 20 years to rave reviews from its members located in nearby Canada. Bovada has a long track record for secure banking transactions whether for deposits or withdrawals and has consistently had payouts delivered to member's homes within weeks. The site also boasts one of the best user friendly pages with ample 24/7 customer service and constantly updated interfaces making for a streamlined betting experience.

This online gambling site also harbors one of the vastest arrays of betting options over huge library of sports, poker rooms and casino games. New members are rewarded upon signing up with a variety of perks and bonuses depending upon which service you wish to use. Bovada hosts a fantastic refer-a-friend program as well which can garner members an extra $100 deposited into their accounts each and every time they bring in a betting buddy to join them on the site.

Legal Texas Gambling Sites
Best Overall Betting SitesSports?Casino?Poker?Horses?Visit
BovadaYES!YES!YES!YES!Play Now!
BetOnlineYES!YES!YES!YES!Play Now!
SportsBettingYES!YES!YES!YES!Play Now!

The legal gambling age in Texas is 21 years of age. While residents of the Lone Star State who wish to bet online however may join most Texas gambling sites at the age of 18, we recommend deferring to state laws so that further legal complications may be avoided.