Texas Online Gambling

Although Texas law prohibits online casinos that involve real money, Texans can still participate in online gambling through alternative options like social and sweepstakes casinos. Platforms such as Pulsz, Chumba Casino, and Luckyland Slots provide players with the opportunity to enjoy casino games for entertainment purposes or with the chance to win cash prizes.

In Texas, commercial casino gambling is forbidden, except for the presence of the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel. This tribal casino, managed and owned by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, exclusively offers Type-2 casino games to its patrons. Situated in Eagle Pass, close to the Mexican border, this casino presents a range of attractions including slot machines, poker tables, and bingo games.

Real money online poker is not allowed in Texas due to legal restrictions. However, Texans can still enjoy playing poker online on social and sweepstakes sites such as Global Poker. The state does have poker rooms and card rooms available, but they have different operating rules. These establishments require memberships and charge for seat time instead of taking a rake. However, these clubs are currently involved in a legal dispute that originated in Dallas. The main issue at hand is determining the “economic benefits” that come from playing poker. Additionally, there are some proposed legislative changes aiming to address these concerns. One proposal suggests modifying the wording of the law to grant counties the power to determine the legality of such establishments. Another proposal aims to redefine the criteria for a “private poker club.”

There are currently three horse racetracks in Texas, all strategically located in major population centers. In 1987, Texas passed a law legalizing modern horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering on race outcomes. Over time, the legislation was amended to allow simulcast wagering at each licensed facility. Consequently, every racetrack now has its own off-track betting location to facilitate betting on races occurring throughout the country. However, it is worth noting that there are no independent off-track betting sites in Texas, and online horse betting, including Advance Deposit Wagering on platforms like TVG, remains illegal according to Texas law. This issue has sparked a contentious and ongoing debate.

The ongoing dispute between the Texas Racing Commission and the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority concerning horse racing in Texas has led to substantial financial setbacks for racetracks and widespread layoffs. Regrettably, finding a resolution or reaching a compromise between these two entities has proven to be exceedingly difficult.

Residents in Texas have the opportunity to take part in daily fantasy sports contests, as there is no explicit law that allows or prohibits it. Popular platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel operate within a legal gray area. Nonetheless, the legality of DFS has been a contentious topic in recent years, leading to disagreements among people.

Attorney General Ken Paxton stated in 2016 that daily fantasy sports contests are gambling and thus against state law. DraftKings responded by initiating legal proceedings through a lawsuit, which is still ongoing without a set timeline for its conclusion. In 2021, there was a potential breakthrough in legalizing DFS through legislative efforts, as it garnered a positive response from the committee. However, it ultimately did not advance to a vote on the floor.

Texans can currently participate in DFS activities without significant worry. In the event of any legal action, the Attorney General will focus on the operators rather than the players.

The Texas Legislature passed a law in 1991 to legalize the Texas Lottery, which began selling tickets the following year. The main goal of this lottery is to generate funds for education in the state. Additionally, a portion of the tax revenue from the Texas Lottery goes towards veterans associations. The Texas Lottery is widely available with numerous retail outlets throughout the state, offering a variety of draw games and scratchers. It also participates in popular multi-state drawings like Mega Millions and Powerball. Notable Texas-specific draw games include Lotto Texas and Texas Two-Step. For added convenience, lottery tickets can be purchased online through courier services such as Jackpocket and Jackpot.

Texas currently prohibits sports betting within its borders. Despite numerous legislative sessions since 2018, efforts to legalize sports betting in the state have not yielded any tangible results. The increasing prevalence of offshore sports betting platforms has prompted Texas lawmakers to contemplate the possibility of permitting sports betting in the state. In 2025, a bill endorsing online sports betting was successfully passed by the House; however, it did not proceed to a hearing in the Senate.

The 2025 legislative session may have seen the disappointment of online and retail sports betting bills, but the progress made during this time lays a strong foundation to build upon in 2025.