Texas is one of the strictest states when it comes to gambling and its laws can cover a wide variety of activities. Under Texas law, (Penal Code §47.02) gambling is considered a criminal offense if someone:
- 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; or
- plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device.
Texas Gambling Laws. There is only one brick and mortar casino in the state, and governmental regulation and intervention has squelched most efforts at establishing additional casinos or gambling boats. The state does run a lottery, permit charitable gambling, social gambling, scratch-cards, office pools and pari-mutuel wagering. Dog and horse tracks add to the list of casinos in Texas. There is seven spread across the state, but as mentioned in a paragraph before, no Texas online casino is permitted to offer off-track betting on these races. This a true phenomenon, so widespread that it becomes part of the Texan culture. One can even play in bingo halls if under.
Legal Gambling In Texas
Texas is one of the strictest states when it comes to gambling and its laws can cover a wide variety of activities. Under Texas law, (Penal Code §47.02) gambling is considered a criminal offense if someone: 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.
The law does provide for some exceptions such as participating in the state lotteryor placing bets on horse and greyhound dog races (sometimes referred to as pari-mutuel wagering). The law also provides for some affirmative defenses to prosecution:
- the actor engaged in gambling in a private place;
- no person received any economic benefit other than personal winnings; and
- except for the advantage of skill or luck, the risks of losing and the chances of winning were the same for all participants
Is There Legal Gambling In Texas
Additional exceptions include if the person reasonably believed their conduct:
- was permitted under Chapter 2001, Occupations Code; (Charitable Bingo)
- was permitted under Chapter 2002, Occupations Code; (Charitable Raffles)
- was permitted under Chapter 2004, Occupations Code; (Sports Charity Raffles)
The first page of this guide will provide you with an overview of the Texas laws on gambling while the subsequent pages will discuss more specific topics like bingo, eight-liners and poker.
Texas casinos have been one of the major things to do for Texans for quite some time. Though there are only two genuine casinos in Texas offering gaming, there are numerous wagering choices within the state. Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, southwest of San Antonio, and the Texas Treasure Casino Boat near Redfish are the two most popular places for gambling in Texas. Beyond the two favored options lie a bounty of other choices for betting, including both live and simulcast horse racing and greyhound racing. Parimutuel wagers (meaning races are broadcast by television or radio and bets are divvied up according to the amount of winners' total wagers) are a common form of betting at most of the wagering facilities.
Kickapoo Lucky Eagle is a popular Texas casino and one of the hottest entertainment complexes on the Texas-Mexico border. Gaming, dining, and a host of exciting entertainment lies within. Bingo is one of the biggest draws. The Bingo Dome at Kickapoo features Sunday to Friday sessions beginning at 7 p.m. and two Saturday sessions with huge prize pay outs and ongoing promotions. The live poker room is a flurry of activity. Twelve poker tables dealing 7 Card Stud and Texas Hold ‘Em are featured every day. Tournaments and promotions are always on in the poker room at this Texas casino, which is open from Monday to Friday until 5 a.m. From penny slots to $25 games, 1,800 slot machines ring, flash, and light up the floor. A huge buffet, two sports bars, and a café nail down all dining needs and live music and other performances dot the events calendar.
Texas Treasure Casino Boat is the second premier option for gambling in Texas. It is the go-to for casinos in Texas offering gaming cruises and onboard dining with three distinct restaurants. The large cruise ship is packed with options for gambling in Texas. More than 23 table games are onboard, including Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker, Let It Ride, blackjack, live poker, and roulette. More than 500 slot machines keep the floor action-packed while the bingo hall, with seating for 100, is another choice for welcoming Lady Luck at this Texas casino. Head to 229 Highway 361 South Port Aransas, one of the top vacation spots in Texas, for cruise departures leaving Tuesday through Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. Entry prices vary depending on the day of the week. Also notable is the cruise ship offers no accommodations. Nearby Port Aransas hotels are the only lodging available.
Texas Map
Several other options are available for gambling in Texas. Only 25 minutes away from Austin in Manor, Texas, Manor Downs provides simulcast, parimutuel horse racing. During the spring there are live thoroughbred and quarter horse races. The private restaurant and bar complete the picture and offer a great alternative to traditional gambling in Texas.
Corpus Christi Dog Track is just as exciting as any Texas casino. Greyhound racing is top dog at the race track, but there are also simulcasts of other horse and greyhound races within the country. The grandstand surrounding the simulcast area is an air-conditioned seating area that is serviced by concession stands and hostesses. The clubhouse is another ideal spot to watch races and enjoy pub-style meals. Wagering is done by either electronic machines or by licensed tellers situated all over the track.
In lieu of the limited choice of casinos in Texas there is also the Valley Race Park in Harlingen where live thoroughbred, greyhound, and simulcast races are all presented. Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, less than twenty miles from Fort Worth, is on par with Valley Race Park with simulcast racing seven days per week and live races from mid-September through mid-November. Combining all the options introduces a length list of options for gambling in Texas and the diversity of choice is can be a great activity in a state with so many things to do.
