Online gambling sites accepting Texas residents can be hard to come by.This page will cover a variety of topics, including everything surrounding legal Texas gambling. This includes the best gambling websites for Texas players, how to play bingo, poker, daily fantasy, and slots in Texas, the legality of sports and horse betting for Texas. Offshore sport betting sites do not have to follow any laws in the United States. Code for Maximum Deposit Bonus legal in all 50 states.
- Legal Betting Sites In Texas Counties
- Legal Betting Sites
- Legal Betting Sites Online
- Is Online Gambling Legal In Texas
Legal sports betting for Texas residents can only be done one way. You won’t be able to find land-based casinos with sportsbooks in them in this state. Rather, legal Texas sports betting must be done online, at an offshore sportsbook. These operators provide the same betting action that would be found at one the best sportsbooks in Atlantic City or Vegas. With a diverse fan base in the state for teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Rockets, and Houston Astros, it only makes sense that sports enthusiasts in the state be able to wager on the teams they root for every week.
Texas residents can legally bet on sports when they use online, offshore sportsbooks. Otherwise, they’ll have to take a road trip or fly to another state to have access to land-based sportsbooks. If you’re hoping that land-based sports betting venues are going to come to Texas in the near future you may be right. There have been bills introduced in order to officially legalize and regulate the activity. However, given the fact that state officials have a traditional stance against gambling, we don’t expect it to happen until a few years out. This makes betting on sports online in Texas the only option available for the foreseeable future.
Can We Now Legally Bet On Sports In Texas?
With the repeal of PASPA, residents still have access to the same options for legal sports betting in Texas. Though the state can one-day launch regulated sports betting sites and sportsbooks, there has been no indication given of when this will happen. In the past, Texas has been unsuccessful with most types of gambling expansion. That being said, the sports betting industry generates billions each year and Texas would be smart to take advantage of the additional stream of revenue. While the legislature decides which way to go on state-licensed sports gambling, sports fans in the state can continue using the same trusted sports betting sites for legal TX sports betting.
Residents of the Lone Star State can place bets at any American-facing online casino or sportsbook without fear of prosecution by the state government. Texans in many parts of the state are a short drive away from tribal gaming in neighboring states, but they continue to choose online casinos and books because of the convenience factor. Mississippi sportsbooks are the closest land-based option for TX residents, but still quite a distance away. For example, Biloxi sportsbooks are a 5-hour drive from Beaumont and an 8-hour drive from Dallas. Online sportsbooks are the most convenient option for sports wagering play in Texas.
Sports Betting Laws in Texas
Currently, there are no sports betting laws in Texas. Most states, Texas included, never passed any type of sports betting legislation due to the federal prohibitions that were once in place. Because of this, there are no Texas sports betting laws and there is nothing standing in the way of using online, offshore sportsbooks. Without any laws on the books that even mention using the internet to bet on sports, you can consider sports betting in Texas legal.
Texas has no law against online gambling on the books and we do not see this changing anytime soon. No one has ever been arrested in Texas for playing at online casinos or sportsbooks, and the federal government has indicated that the 1961 Federal Wire Act will be used to crack down on illegal sports betting providers, not online bettors themselves. You should have no worries about going to jail when using reputable sites like Bovada, BetOnline, and SportsBetting.
Bovada is one sportsbook we have never ignored, as they have never mistreated their players. We have found that Bovada is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable sports betting sites, solely because they provide their users with total security, fair odds, and safe deposits. Depositing into their book is done by way of VISA cards, Bitcoin, and Bitcoin Cash. Bovada provides their users with one of the longest lists of available sports, including major sports, entertainment bets, political props and much more. This is one of the most complete sportsbooks on the market, and we have long favored them for our gaming. If you decide to join up with Bovada, you will receive a 100% to $250 match bonus upon starting up. This bonus, combined with all of their other features, has made Bovada one of the top choices for gaming.
BetOnline is another sportsbook that has grown into a substantial competitor in the industry. BetOnline gives their users a solid list of betting odds, covering most sports. Football, soccer, hockey, baseball, tennis, golf and more can all be covered by BetOnline. They do not necessarily cover many non-sports prop bets, but they are very committed to offering straight sports bets. They have a 50% match to $1,000 for new players, and this makes for one of the most significant bonuses in all of online sports betting. To claim the Welcome Bonus, enter code BOL1000 while making your deposit. If you sign up with BetOnline, you will have access by way of Bitcoin, VISA and wire transfers, so funding your account never need be a difficult task.
Texas is a state full of many sports and there are so many games that go on here which means many betting options. Players know that when they sign up for Mybookie, there will be huge winning possibilities. Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans are just a few of Texas teams that can be bet on MyBookie. Players need to take the time to check out a site like this that has great banking methods, amazing parlay bet options, and live betting options as well. Also, players can use their phones to access their accounts. Check out MyBookie. It will change your life!
SportBetting is one of the better online sportsbooks out there for gamblers to sign up for. There are so many different bonuses here and this only means more money for players to win. These bonuses could be one of them that could reward a player with free play or extra money. There are plenty of prop bets that will be here as well so more ways that players can make money is more of the reason that players will sign up for Sportsbetting. Make sure to check out the site and there will be more offered like live betting and mobile betting features.
- LEGAL SPORTS BETTING
- USA?
- SPORTSBOOK BONUS OFFERS
- MOBILE?
- GET STARTED
- 50% Bonus Up To $1,000
- 50% Bonus Up To $1,000 On Each Deposit
- 50% Bonus Up To $1,000
- 100% Bonus Up To $300
- 100% Bonus Up To $500
You’ve probably heard it mentioned before, as it was the most controversial of the sports betting laws in the US. The now-overturned Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) stipulated that states were not allowed to regulate sports betting. There were 46 states without sports betting as a result of PASPA. Four states were exempt (Delaware, Montana, Nevada, Oregon) but only two of those states actively offered sports betting. Nevada was the only one able to offer full single-game wagering up until the Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional on May 14th, 2018.
You might be wondering why residents who live in Texas don’t just hop on to an online sportsbook based in another state instead of using an offshore book. Well, there’s actually a law that prevents that from happening. It’s called the Wire Act. According to the Wire Act, no person(s) is allowed to accept a wager over a line of communication. This means telegraphs, telephones, internet, the whole shebang. The Wire Act prevents wagers from crossing state lines, which keeps regulated online sports betting limited to just the states that have legalized sports gambling. What the Wire Act does not do, however, is prevent online sports betting at offshore sportsbooks. That is because it does not have jurisdiction over sites based in other countries.
Finally, we have the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The UIGEA is a federal sports betting law that states that it is unlawful for companies to accept wagers or transact funds from US residents. What the UIGEA does is prevent banks from being able to process certain transactions from Texas bettors to online gambling sites. What it does not do, though, is prevent betting from happening. This law does not have jurisdiction over companies in other countries. When you use an online, offshore sportsbook, you’re participating in legal Texas sports betting that is not in violation of these federal sports betting laws.
Each state lays out its own laws when it comes to the age at which residents can legally gamble. The legal gambling age in Texas is 21, no matter what you are trying to do. So just in case you are slow, the legal sports betting age in Texas is 21.
One of the great parts of having an online sports betting account is having access to the corresponding mobile site. These sites are browser-based and able to be accessed by anyone with a smartphone. In Texas, legal sports betting on mobile sites can be done so long as you’re using one that is based overseas.
Will Texas Ever Offer State-Licensed Online Sports Betting?
There is nothing preventing Texas from offering state-licensed online sports betting, but it would likely be a long process. In 2015, two bills for fantasy sports sites were filed but never made it out of committee. In the immediate months post-PASPA repeal, the state has given no indication that any type of sports betting legislation is up for discussion. While regulated Texas sports betting sites are a possibility, it is unclear if and when the state will move forward. Fortunately, there are plenty of online, offshore sportsbooks that offer betting opportunities to Texas Residents.
How Can a Texas Residents Find a Legal Sportsbook?
Texas Residents looking for legal sportsbooks need only hop online and Google USA sportsbooks. Books that accept US players almost always accept Texas residents. You can find out if the book you want to use is a legal Texas sports betting site by heading to their about page.
Can You Bet On Politics In Texas?
Betting on Politics in the state of Texas can be done. Just like with sports betting, though, it must be done at an online, offshore sportsbook. Any form of betting on the outcome of an activity will have to be done at an offshore site, because of the current federal gambling laws that dictate gambling in the state.
As one of the largest states in the US and one of the most populated, Texas has a ton of different teams that you can bet on. At both the Professional and College level, Texas is a leader in producing fun, talented sports teams. Below is a list of the most popular Division I teams and professional teams available for legal sports betting in Texas.
Professional Sports Teams To Bet On In Texas:
- Dallas Cowboys
- Houston Texans
- San Antonio Spurs
- Houston Rockets
- Dallas Mavericks
- Texas Rangers
- Houston Astros
- Dallas Stars
College Teams To Bet On In Texas:
- University of Texas Longhorns
- Texas A&M Aggies
- University of Houston Cougars
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- SMU Mustangs
- Baylor Bears
- TCU Horned Frogs
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.
| Rank | DE Gambling Site | Deposit Bonus | Products | Get Started | |
| #1 | 280% Up To $14,000 |
| Visit Site | ||
| #2 | Super Slots | 300% Up To $6,000 |
| Visit Site | |
| #3 | 125% Up To $3,125 |
| Visit Site | ||
| #4 | MyBookie | 50% Up To $1,000 |
| Visit Site | |
| #5 | 100% Up To $1,000 |
| Visit Site | ||
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:
- Texas doesn’t have a regulated iGaming market.
- Texas hasn’t taken legal action against offshore sites.
- The Texas Constitution doesn’t specifically make internet gambling illegal.
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:
- “… 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.” - “… 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.” - “… 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
Legal Betting Sites In Texas Counties
Gambling Venues in Texas
The History of Gaming Laws in Texas
Texas Gambling FAQ
The Furture of Gambling in Texas
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)
Legal Betting Sites
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
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.
Legal Betting Sites Online
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.
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
regulated states like Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey.
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 Online Gambling Legal In Texas
Until that happens, you’re free to enjoy offshore gaming sites, because Texas
ignores both operators and players.
댓글